Experience Summary
As you can see from my resume, I have a Master's Degree in Linguistics. My BS is in Japanese, with a minor in German. The past four years, I have been teaching English as a Second Language (Grammar, Reading, Writing, and Speech) to adult students at Miami Dade College. This past year, I have also been teaching English Composition I and II, basic classes in English writing, focusing on mechanics, grammar, and how to write a research paper. Additionally, I have tutored students in subjects ranging from English grammar to pronunciation, starting when I was a graduate student, and continuing through the present.
I enjoy working with the diverse population of students in South Florida, who gain a unique perspective by living, working, and studying in a multicultural, multilingual community.
Finally, I am patient, respectful, self-motivating, highly organized, and successful at meeting deadlines. I have excellent communication skills and am able to adapt material to the learner's level. I look forward to helping your students improve their skills so that they can achieve their goals.
Teaching Style
I have adapted my materials to both multi-media classrooms and more traditional setting as needed. I like to bring in current popular songs, films, and TV shows when relevant to help students relate to their course material. For example, I use recent popular music when possible to illustrate grammar or pronunciation points, while at the same time familiarizing students with American popular culture. I also like to demonstrate useful websites, such as those containing online grammar exercises or one that shows an animated vocal tract for help with pronunciation. I try to provide a variety of interactions with the English language, so that while students are trained in appropriate academic English standards, they will not feel lost when trying to talk to a neighbor or listen to news on the radio. For those who are already native speakers, I identify their areas of interest (sports, current events, etc.) and use authentic examples of the language (such as online articles) from those areas, to help them make the connection between what they are practicing and what is already familiar to them.