Neil Vandenbergh Tutoring

I ask a student a series of simple questions to guage where they are at in the process of trying to learn whatever they are having a dificult time with, while trying to make them feel comfortable in the process. 

Usually I will tell a story of something that I have gone through, and try to make them laugh, and try to help them relax, and realize that they are not the only ones who have gone through this.

It's amazing how far winning someone's trust and confidence can go! 

I will them start off with a simple excercise to guage what they know so far, and to even help them build on their strenghts before we address their weaknesses. 

I often find that this can build a student's confidence, and help them to "pick up some steam" in the learning process.  

Once this newfound confidence has been built, I will start to implement a teaching curriculum that is tailored specifically to the individual. 

One specific technique that I will use, is ask the student what shows, or movies they enjoy. I then use a screenwriting techique that I have taken the time to observe from one of these aforementioned films or tv shows, and I will tie it into our lesson, and connect it to a principle that I am trying to teach them.

I find that this almost invariably gets them interested, at least a lot more than they were before, in paying attention to, and ultimately absorbing the lesson!  

While there are some who are more decorated on paper than I am, I have always had a natural passion, and gift for writing of various kinds.

I have two years of collegiate training as an English major, who specialized in Poetics, but also excelled in composition. 

However, at the end of that two year period, I realized that Music was my first passion, and I began to pursue learning how to play the guitar, and eventually how to become a songwriter, performer, and guitar instructor as well.  

This was 23 years ago, and I have never looked back, or had so much fun in all my life! 

The reason that this is particularly relevant, other than to give you some background on who I am, is because I have writen over 30 of my own original songs over the past two decades, and many of the same skills that have made me a good songwriter, also make me a good writer of prose, and a good tutor! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile, and if who I am as a person, and my approach to tutoring interests you, please don't hesitate to reach out!  

I charge $20 for a half an hour, and $30 for an hour.