Course Offerings
TOEFL Preparation
TOEFL ensures that you have the necessary level of proficiency to work and study in English-speaking countries. It is used for university programs, work visas, study abroad programs, and immigration.
TOEFL preparation can include:
- a diagnostic session to determine your previous experience with English, familiarity with TOEFL, and how you can practice English on your own
- A personalized plan with exercises to complete together an independently
- exercises to develop your skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
- the relevant information about the test format
- the necessary test-taking strategies
- a review of relevant grammar points
- authentic practice tests to approximate your score
- expert, focused feedback to help you get the score you need
Preparation for Academic Programs
If you’d like to apply to an academic program abroad, it’s important that you are prepared for the application process and the move to another country.
Preparation for academic programs can include:
- Assistance exploring available programs
- Preparation of statements of purpose and essays
- Assistance completing applications
- Professional email correspondence
- Interview preparation
- Relocation planning (help with finding an apartment, finding basic services, booking flights, visa applications)
- Preparation for important cultural differences
Business English
English is used to do business around the world.
We can work together to develop your skills in the following areas:
- Participating in work meetings
- Giving presentations in English
- Writing professional emails
- Speaking confidently
- Developing your listening skills to understand different accents
- Understanding cultural differences that affect how business is conducted
- Mastering English grammar
- Expanding your vocabulary
Travel English
If you’re traveling for a vacation, a business trip, or to relocate, it’s important to be prepared.
Travel English packages can include:
- Going through customs and immigration
- Navigating the airport and interactions on the plane
- Preparing to travel effectively and prevent problems
- Learning essential phrases for travel or medical emergencies
- Researching your travel destination and things to do and see there
- Learning about cultural differences that can affect your experience
- Finding places to stay
- Getting around using public transportation
FAQs
- I’m fluent in and qualified to teach three languages (English, Spanish, and German). I can relate to the struggles of learning a new language.
- I have taken numerous standardized tests to earn my teaching credentials. I have personally learned and used test-taking strategies on tests similar to TOEFL, and I know the stress that comes with taking language tests.
- Having lived in various parts of the world, I understand the challenges of moving to and living in another part of the world. To date I’ve lived in New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Diego, Germany, Mexico, and Chile.
- You work directly and only with me. You won’t be surprised by a change of teacher, which happens with institutes.
- You have ongoing access to me by email and WhatsApp if you have any questions between sessions.
- I’ve developed connections with people all over the world that can provide advice and insight into areas that you might have questions about. I’ll reach out and do my best to get an answer to any questions.
I hold the following degrees and credentials:
- Master of Arts in Teaching in Liberal Studies, Occidental College
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and German, Occidental College
- Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential (Kindergarten to 8th grade)
- Single Subject California Teaching Credential, Spanish and German (6th to 12th grade)
- CLAD Certification for ESL teaching (embedded in each teaching credential above)
- TEFL Certification from Pragmatic English
I’ve also completed the following professional development:
- 120 hours of training about second language acquisition with the California World Language Project
- 40 hours of training about teaching reading through the Pasadena Unified School District
- 40-hour course titled Coaching and Mindfulness for Educators with the California World Language Project
- 40-hour course about video creation offered by Jo Gakonga from ELT Training
- Attendance at ACTFL, IATEFL Chile, TESOL Chile, and LABCI, IATEFL International, and TESOL International Annual Conferences
- Numerous online webinars related to language teaching
It depends on multiple factors. Here are some things to consider:
- your goal
- your current level
- the frequency of online sessions
- how much time you practice on your own
- how much you follow the plan that I provide
- how quickly you learn
I will do my best to give you an accurate estimate of how much time you need, but it ultimately depends on how much work you put into meeting your goals.
Some goals will take longer than the length of a package. I offer continuing packages of 3 months for people with long-term goals.
I can also create a customized package for a shorter period of time. This is common for TOEFL preparation if you need a bit more practice before your test.
I invite potential students to a 15-minute call to learn about your goals, and during that time I share the packages I feel would fit your needs.
While I don’t offer free sessions, I do offer the option of taking two sessions to get a sense of my teaching style and get a better idea of what you need.
You can also visit my blog to read about topics that can help you with your language learning.
Read my blog post about this topic here.