About
Having a solid, confident command of English is the cornerstone of communication in all walks of life.
From career to personal relationships, expressing your thoughts, ideas, and feelings in ways that others can understand, learn from, and even be inspired by is made stronger by a calm, confident, dynamic command of English.
Working together we can strengthen your command of English and give you a new, growing, active confidence in saying what you want to say and how you want to say it, also writing what you want to write and how you want to write it.
My tutoring style is casual, fun and interactive, but also knowledge-seeking and driven. Learning about you, about how you like to learn, is an essential part of my job as your tutor, my job in helping you grow your confidence and use more effective English. Together, we will discover how you learn best.
I hope you'll give us the chance to work together. Great things are ahead for you, and I hope English Empowerment will be a part of your journey.
Bob
I've always had a hunger for knowledge, and I've been teaching most of my adult life, one way or another. Giving people new tools to live more rewarding lives, or helping them use and discover tools they've had all along, is exhilirating and fulfilling. Helping people makes me happy.
The old expression that "knowledge is power" is absolutely true. But knowledge is also fun and exciting, and working with people to increase their knowledge, and their self-confidence in the process, is incredibly satisfying.
Highlights
Reviews
Maisha C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to have one or two informal conversations with new students before we begin working together, just talk for a while. It gives us both a chance to learn a little about each other, and to chat about where they'd like to improve their English skills.
I also like to know something, in general, about the overall educational journey my new students are on, and where they want that journey to take them. I like to get a sense of how they feel about school, about knowledge and about learning.
Beyond that there is no "typical" process. Every student is a unique individual who learns in a unique way. The whole point of tutoring is to create an individual learning environment that isn't typical.
I try to find the point where a students needs meet their best learning methods, because that's the point where learning becomes fun.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm a published newspaper writer and have written for sports websites online. I've had small works of fiction published and am currently writing a novel.
I didn't take English courses in college because I tested out of any required college courses through my AP English program in high school.
I've been tutoring English for 13 years and also help people write and improve their resumes to search for jobs.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For tutoring in basic Engish skills like spelling, vocabulary, and basic reading comprehension, I charge $25/hour.
For writing development like essays and creative writing I charge $30/hour.
How did you get started teaching?
By helping my children and their friends when they were younger.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've tutored students from all walks of life. I generally work with high school or college students, and they've come from many different places and backgrounds.
I've made a lot of friends tutoring and I enjoy helping young people learn more and build their confidence.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Watching my youngest daughter graduate from college and watching one of my other daughters get her masters degree.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Just to consider more than one tutor before you make a choice. Make sure you talk to them casually and informally before you begin working with them. Get a sense of who they are and how they teach.
Real learning and real improvement is about interacting with people, about sharing and exchanging ideas, and the most important thing is for you to feel like your tutor can do that in a way that works for you.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should be thinking about what specific areas of English they'd like to improve in, and why those areas seem to be bigger challenges for them.
Some students might want to write better essays. Some might want to read better. Some might want to develop creative writing skills. Others may want to spell better and improve their vocabulary.
So students should be thinking about areas they feel less confident in, and about why they feel that way. Knowing where and why you want to be stronger and more confident in a subject is the very first step in improving your skills.