Personal Description:

I'm a Ph.D. student and Course Instructor in Italian Studies at the University of Toronto. Aside from teaching Italian, I do help people with second language acquisition in English (ESL), Spanish, and Farsi (Persian).

Tutoring Experience:

I started tutoring as early as high school, where over the course of five years I completed over 120 hours of peer tutoring under the supervision of the school principal. I helped students with Social Studies, English as Second Language, English Conversation, Grade 10 Sciences (British Columbia Education System), Grade 11 Chemistry, and Grade 11 and 12 Biology.

While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I began tutoring students taking elementary and intermediate Italian courses. I was then chosen as the TA and student leader for the University's abroad program in Florence, Italy; and I helped 15 students with language and culture courses. Occasionally I helped students with Spanish and Persian, as well.

Now, while pursuing a doctorate in Italian Studies, I work as a Course Instructor during the academic year.

Tutoring Approach:

My approach is to teach by creating engaging lessons. To me, it is very important that the student have an active role during the lesson and class must be conducted through teacher-student and, in non-private lessons, student-student interaction. Furthermore, it is important to reassure the student that asking for clarification and repetitions is indeed ok, as it is ultimately the teacher's role to ensure the student has understood the material.