Tardif Language Tutoring
About
Although I have received university-level instruction in foreign languages from seven institutions in five countries, I still feel that I had to teach myself the most important things I know about how languages work and how people learn. My passion is using this hard-won knowledge to give my students a head start in their quest to deepen their understanding of either their native language or a foreign language. I want it to be easier for them than it was for me!
I offer a truly unique perspective on language learning, as I may be the only tutor you'll find who has learned, studied, and taught 10 languages during his travels around the world. I also like to use a linguistics-informed view of language function and acquisition, and I keep up with current linguistic scholarship.
Because I have studied and taught (and still study and speak) so many languages in so many contexts, I've been able to test out and keep what works and jettison what doesn't. I try to give my students a holistic understanding of what language is and how a particular language works.
Learning and teaching are two sides of the same coin, and languages have been my passion for a very long time. To me, teaching a language is just an extension of the learning process, and that's what I love doing best!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I like to figure out what the student's goals are. Often, but not necessarily, this involves a conversation with the parents as well.
Next, I identify both the most important skills to improve and the skills with which the student struggles the most. The path we take will depend on what I've identified as well as current or upcoming assignments.
Generally, I like to instill a holistic understanding in the student, so we're not just memorizing vocabulary lists or isolated grammatical rules. This part in particular will depend on the student's level of engagement.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I majored in Russian at the University of New Hampshire, and I completed my degree studies in Russia, Germany, and Sweden. I pursued a second degree in Swedish in Western Finland.
I have worked professionally translating materials into and from both Spanish and French in a publishing services company in New Hampshire. During my high school years, I won several statewide awards in these two languages and got 5s in their respective AP examinations.
I have also worked as an English-language teacher online for Chinese students and in person in Moscow, Russia.
In addition to all of this, I have privately tutored on and off for over ten years now.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Generally I charge $35/hour in person and $25 online, though if a student is a good fit and the price is too steep for them, we can work something out.
How did you get started teaching?
It has always been one of my natural interests. I have had to teach myself much of the most important and helpful things I know, and it gives me joy to be able to facilitate this journey for newer students so that they have an easier time than I did!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students as young as 3 and as old as 60. My typical student is school-aged, between 10 and 18. I am open to any age, as long as the person is open to learning.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was particularly moved by my Swedish-speaking Finnish students when I lived in Finland. They put on a musical revue that involved a lot of singing in English, and I worked on foreign-accent reduction with them throughout the rehearsal process.
The final result was extremely impressive to me, as it showed how much work they'd put into the process. Receiving flowers on the stage was a tiny reward compared to the feeling I got seeing their efforts fructify.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
There are many qualified teachers; finding an inappropriate one is probably the exception. In that case, the teacher's uninterested attitude and sloppiness should be apparent immediately.
However, assuming the teacher is basically competent, my advice to the student is to come prepared: to know his or her goals and to be prepared to put in the necessary work to improve. Dedication, preparation, and some effort on the part of the student go a long way to ensuring a fruitful collaboration with almost any teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are my goals?
What do I struggle with?
How much am I struggling? How much help do I need?
What is my motivation to improve in this subject?
Do I have the time and willpower to study and do my homework?