"Hello! My name is Patricia. I have been teaching languages and other subjects for over 20 years. I have the pedagogical and nurturing skills as well as the commitment to drive students toward the academic excellence I know they can all achieve.

Teaching Method

My first approach to teaching is to guide the students toward "teaching" the concepts to me by asking targeted questions and using "learning by doing" techniques. This way, I empower students, by giving them the tools they need to handle the problem areas on their own, in the future. For those areas that can only be learned by memorization (e.g. times tables, diagraphs, conjugations, prepositions, dates), I use different rhymes, games or videos, which make the memorizing much easier and fun.

Academic Background

My undergraduate and graduate studies were completed in Rollins College in Florida and the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. My studies were coupled with semesters abroad in France and Switzerland, certificates from the France Chamber of Commerce and teaching certificates from the Goethe Institut, Berlitz School of Languages and the English Language Teacher Association of Frankfurt (ELTAF).

Teaching Experience

In 1993, I started teaching at several renowned language schools in Frankfurt, Germany. I taught beginner as well as business and technical English, and successfully prepared students for TOEFL, CAE and other English assessment exams.

In 1995, I founded Sprachteam language school, creating a unique teaching concept which combined methods learned at the university and the various language institutions, as well as my own techniques. Sprachteam specialized in two different fields: 1. customized lesson plans for technical language at companies. 2. Languages for children, through songs, games and role playing.

Since 2014, I have been living and teaching in Scottsdale. Besides tutoring, I also teach university level modern languages and students with learning disabilities at one of the nation's top charter schools. I h" less...