Laura's Lessons

I offer full classes (individual and group) for those with aspirations of learning or improving a second language, as well as individualized supplemental instruction for high school or college students wanting to catch up or get ahead. I teach all levels of both Spanish and English as a second language (ESL), and my tutoring experience includes these subjects as well as college-level English composition, reading and grammar. I will custom-build an adaptable lesson plan for each student based on his or her previous experiences, objectives and learning needs rather than employing a one-size-fits-all curriculum. For businesses looking to offer Spanish or English language classes to their employees, I offer an infinitely flexible range of options to fit your company's unique needs.

I am versatile in the type of instruction I offer so that I can help students pursue a wide range of goals, from purely functional oral competency to more in-depth grammatical, syntactical, and linguistic understanding. For students with a more academic or literary interest in Spanish, we can base our lessons around my extensive collection of Spanish-language literature that includes both canonical authors and more obscure, lesser-known writers from nearly every time period.

For corporate classes, I can ensure that the students get the right terminology and professional language needed for their particular industry. I can accommodate virtually all learning styles and am prepared to address any learning challenges or obstacles students may face.

I am well-versed in the Communicative Approach of language instruction, which stresses the use of the target language in real contexts to build linguistic competency rather than only focusing on memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules. This method allows the student to use the language from day one, and stresses the importance of maximizing class time to practice speaking, listening, reading and writing as much as possible in the new language. The Communicative Approach tends to be more fun and engaging than traditional pedagogical methods; however, I also like to incorporate some comparative grammar and syntax exploration into my lessons when applicable. Having a grasp on the language's structure gives students the confidence to use it outside of familiar contexts.

What sets me apart from other Spanish instructors is my intimate familiarity with numerous regional dialects and extensive knowledge of different cultures and registers, meaning I can teach a more universal Spanish rather than one that is regionally specific. Additionally, the breadth and depth of my grammatical knowledge exceeds that of most other instructors, and I pride myself on my ability to make grammar not only accessible but interesting and fun to students as we examine different usages in terms of the various nuances of meaning that can be communicated through the deliberate choice of one form over another rather than as "right" versus "wrong."

I will work to develop the kind of relationship with my students that fosters open communication and trust, so that I can rely on daily feedback about how they feel classes are going, what they liked, what didn't work as well for them, etc. to help me make continual modifications to the lesson plan. This way, we don't waste time on things that don't work well for a particular individual and can instead focus on only the most worthwhile activities. I will also work to develop specific exercises that capitalize on each individual's learning style, meaning you can make the most of your class time to learn however you learn best.

Qualifications:

​M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, with a Master's Minor in Women and Gender Studies, University of Wyoming, 2011

B.S. in Communications/Journalism and Spanish (dual degree), University of Wyoming, 2009

Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society Inductee, 2010

Advanced score on OPIc (Oral Proficiency Exam by computer), 2009

Yearlong Study Abroad at La Universidad de Almería in Almería, Spain, 2007-2008

Summer-long Study Abroad, intensive language program at La Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico, summer 2003

Taught a total of 24 credit hours (6 classes) of introductory and intermediate Spanish at the University of Wyoming, with an average class size of 25 students. Received accolades from superiors not only for effective and creative teaching techniques, but also for providing support and mentoring outside of regular classroom hours

Successfully completed yearlong teaching practicum studying second-language acquisition theory and its application in the classroom

Two semesters teaching college-level ESL specifically geared for Spanish-speakers, one at La Universidad de Mayores in Almería, Spain and one at Aims Community College in CO

1.5 years tutoring all levels of Spanish and Introductory English Composition at the University of Wyoming

Total of 8+ years experience as a language instructor providing group, private and corporate classes

Wide range of experience in Spanish and English instruction for professionals in such fields as medicine, law, engineering, translation, primary and secondary education, music, speech pathology, sociology, government, banking, real estate, administration, psychology, academia, technology, photography and many more