Professional Brazilian Portuguese Lessons from a warm and caring native speaker! (online)

Find out more about June

• When and why did you develop an interest in your chosen fiel­d?

  I have always had a passion for languages since a young child, and once I finished high school I took a course to learn English. Through that course, I learned the joy of being able to speak a second language and the opportunities and doors that it can open, and I wanted to share that same joy I felt with others. Thus, since I am a Native Spanish speaker, and since Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, it was a natural fit for me to pursue a career in teaching Spanish so that I could help others feel the same joy I did. Therefore, my official teaching career started 7 years ago, and since then I have never looked back!

• What makes you passionate about your subject?

  The biggest passion for me is helping others and seeing my students achieve their goals. It is truly such a nice feeling to see students who came to me knowing just a few words sending me a video on their travels just a few months later speaking Spanish! It is truly such a gratifying feeling. Also, another amazing thing about tutoring is the connections. With tutoring, I get to meet students from all areas of life, and when you spend a few hours with someone every week you can form good friendships and bonds.

• What do you like about tutoring? What makes you a Superprof?

  I think I am a super prof because I truly love my job and put a lot of my heart and soul into my lessons. For example, even if I have an early morning webcam lesson, I always make sure to wake up at least one hour before class, shower, and look presentable and professional. I take pride in my work, and believe all these details count for the student in the end.
  
  The other thing I love about tutoring is that I have the freedom to design my classes depending on the student's needs, I can set my own schedule, and I can be creative.
  
  In the end, I think I am a super prof because I genuinely have a huge passion for teaching and go to extra mile for my students.

• Do you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you? Please explain.

  The teacher that inspired me was my teacher that taught me English after high school in a community college. Initially I found it a little overwhelming to learn a new language, but then due to my teacher's style of teaching, it made me feel safe in the classes. The lessons were structured well, and she was patient and kind, which created a positive learning environment for me. Because of her teaching, it has opened many doors for me, and I try to create the same feeling of safety for my students in my classes that I teach now.

• In your opinion, what are the keys to success?

  I do not think that there is only one key to success. However from my experience the following points are pivotal in a successful tutor-student relationship:
  
  - Understanding my student's needs and goals
  
  - Understanding my student's personality so I can connect better with them
  
  - Making sure my lessons are customized to my students based on the above two points.
  
  - Planning and preparing well
  
  - Being organized, punctual, and professional
  
  - Being friendly and easy going so the class is fun
  
  - Providing extra resources and practice
  
  I find that by doing the above key points, my students get the best possible experience and generally they have been extremely happy with the courses and their progress.