About
I have been passionate about language for as long as I can remember. I knew from a young age that I wanted to learn as many languages as I could, and I was willing to work hard to reach my goal. Today, I speak five languages and I am working on my sixth! I have over five years of translation and interpretation experience in professional and volunteer settings. I hope to be able to use my natural gift of language acquisition to help others achieve their goals and succeed.
I have a love for learning languages, and teaching others provides me with even more opportunities to deepen my understanding Chinese. Sharing that love with students and helping them feel the satisfaction that comes with mastering a language is something that I enjoy immensely.
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Justin R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Any time I get to work with a new student, I determine what skill level they are at, how quickly they learn, and which style of teaching they will be most responsive to. Once I have a thorough understanding of my new student's situation, I adapt my teaching methods to ensure they will flourish.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I taught ESL for two years while living in Toronto. During this time, I gained valuable, hands-on experience that taught me how to be more malleable when it comes to my teaching style. During college, I worked in a position doing translation and interpretation in an environment where my vocabulary range expanded to include topics like medicine, technology, sales, and logistics. After a while, I was promoted to a different position where I trained new Chinese-speaking customer support representatives as they prepared to start in their role of working with international customers. Finally, I am in my senior year at Brigham Young University where I am studying linguistics. I believe that these examples highlight the depth of both my experience with teaching and understanding of the Chinese language.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I have a very competitive rate of $20/hr.
How did you get started teaching?
As stated above, my first real teaching experience came from teaching ESL to immigrants in Toronto, Canada. Prior to that, I only had experience in a classroom setting.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with middle school aged students, 70-year old immigrants, and everything in between!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for someone who not only is an expert in the subject, but an expert at connecting with you on a personal level. All of the knowledge in the world won't do you any good if the teacher is unable to communicate that knowledge to you!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should have a clear goal in mind. Whether it's something as broad as "pass Chinese class" or something as narrow as "memorize 50 characters a week," having a clear goal will help me as a teacher allow you to succeed.