About Daniel
Hi! I'm Daniel!
If you need help preparing TOEFL to advance with your career or studies, I can help. I offer individual programs for people that want individual attention and personalized feedback as well as group programs for people that like learning at a relaxed pace in a small group.
Some background
I moved to Chile in 2010 with a desire to put my teaching skills to good use and start a new life. After working as a teaching assistant at a school, some institutes in Santiago, and at various universities, I started working with individuals that needed TOEFL.
After preparing TOEFL for the first time, I realized that this was a test that is critical for many professionals to earn a Masters or PhD in another country. It is a gatekeeper that stands between so many talented professionals and their dreams. There are so many amazing people that are being held back by TOEFL, and I want to help them on their professional path forward.
I believe that TOEFL shouldn’t stand in the way of pursuing your professional goals. I want to live in a world where people have the proficiency in English to earn their Masters and PhD degrees, conduct research in English, and make their unique contribution to the world.
How I'm unique
I know what it’s like to learn other languages. I earned my university degree in Spanish and German, which included passing language proficiency tests for both languages to earn my teaching certifications in the state of California. Since I know how other languages work, I can anticipate the errors you might make in speaking and writing. I can address them before they happen or easily provide appropriate feedback.
My studies about education began back in 2001 as an undergraduate. I’ve taken coursework in effective language teaching, lesson planning, assessment, and many other areas. I currently hold three teaching certifications from the state of California, a Masters of Arts in Teaching, TEFL certification, and have attended countless workshops, conferences, and webinars related to teaching and TOEFL. All of these experiences have given me the knowledge and skills to create the unique experiences that I offer.
I know what it is like to move to and live in another country. I was an exchange student in Germany in 2000, and I went to high school and lived with host families for an academic year, which helped me not only develop my language skills but also understand the culture and history of Germany. I’ve been living in Chile since 2010, and I have a deep understanding of the history and culture. Being able to effectively communicate across cultures is a unique skill that will give you a seamless experience.
Last but not least, I have taken and passed over a dozen standardized tests like TOEFL in my academic career. In addition to the SAT and GRE for university and graduate school admission, I took the CBEST to enter my teacher preparation program, the RICA to show that I know how to teach reading skills, three CSET tests for my elementary school certification, and six CSET tests for my Spanish and German teaching certification. I know the skills of learning a test format, how much practice is necessary, time management, and calming your nerves before taking the test.
My language learning, pedagogical background, intercultural experiences, and deep understanding of standardized tests put me in the unique position to help you get the TOEFL score you need so that you can get into your dream Masters or PhD program and take the next step in your career.
What some former students say
“I had the goal to study in the United States, and I needed to prepare the TOEFL. Daniel was recommended by a trusted friend. His classes exceeded my expectations; he not only prepared me for the TOEFL, but also provided me with the skills to continue learning English on my own. After 12 sessions, I got a score of 101 and now have plans to move to the United States and earn a Masters degree. I can’t recommend Daniel enough!”
FERNANDO BARRAZA
SENIOR KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER, ACHS
“When I was an undergraduate in 2013, I had to take the TOEFL to go on exchange to the USA. My English was not good enough to get the needed score, so I contacted Daniel. My English improved considerably thanks to his commitment and personalized method of teaching. After a semester, I achieved the TOEFL score to go on exchange, and I just completed a Master of Fine Arts at the Columbus College of Arts and Design. If you need to take TOEFL, I would totally recommend working with Daniel.”
ISMAEL REYES
MFA, COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ARTS AND DESIGN