
Tutor With Sophia
About
Hi! I’m Sophia. I have a B.A. in French from UC Berkeley and am fluent in the language. I have 3 years of tutoring experience ages 10-20. I’d love to have an intro session with you to determine if we’re a good fit!
Sincèrement, Sophia DeMornay-O’Neal
Specialties
Student age
Current speaking level
Speaking goals
Current reading level
Current writing level
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I will get to know the student, ask what their goals are, how long they have taken French or if they are just starting, what they hope to get out of it, and what their timeline/schedule looks like. We can go from there, deciding how often they would like to meet (if they would like to continue meeting). After getting aquainted, I would then try to break down their separate goals, such as vocabulary, grammar, conversation practice, etc, and allot a certain amount of each session to that goal, or concentrate on just one goal per session. I would ask for any textbooks they are using if they are in school, otherwise I can recommend some French films and novels to look into for fun practice. The process is really up to each student/person's individual needs, and I hope to set up a session!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated with honors from University of California Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in French. I have 8 years of French language educational experience, and I studied abroad in Lyon, France for a semester where I attended l'Université de Lyon II. I have also tutored several students at Berkeley in French, helping with their homework and specific grammar concepts they brought to me, as well as two elementary school children in French grammar and conversation. I have four years of intense French language experience from UC Berkeley, where the majority of my classes were taught in French and I have studied multiple French authors that have further deepened my understanding and ability with the language.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $55 per hour.
How did you get started teaching?
Tutoring has been a way for me to share my joy for the French language, and pass on techniques I learned to understand it. I really enjoyed learning as an adolescent and find tutoring comes naturally for me.
What types of students have you worked with?
I tutored two elementary school children in French grammar, reading comprehension, and conversational practice, as well as university students at Berkeley. There, I also helped with practicing out loud pronunciation and expressions, understand grammar concepts and verb tenses, conjugation, and even breaking down their teachers' comments on their papers in French.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would say, go with your gut, and go with someone based on two factors. One, if you feel comfortable with them. I think that's really important because trust is also a key component of tutoring. I think you should feel inspired by the tutor as well. That is of course a more enjoyable experience and you will probably get more out of the session if you feel you connect with them.
Secondly, I would say to make sure their method of instruction complements your learning style, and there is a respect that goes both ways between student and tutor.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I would say, think about what your goals are, what you hope to get out of the tutoring sessions, and why you would like to participate in French tutoring. Also, it might be a good idea to reflect on your learning style so you can communicate that with your tutor off the bat. That way, you can see if you will be able to receive the type of help you are looking for. Also, think about where you'd love to visit in France! :)