I am a curious, ever-learning person who enjoys traveling and immersing herself in other cultures. I love to exercise and stay active through biking, swimming, playing tennis and volleyball. I also enjoy dancing, and could not imagine my life without music and dance! Last, I take great pleasure in cooking, and even greater pleasure in eating and trying new dishes.
I hold two master degrees, one in Business Administration, and the other in Liberal Studies, with a focus in philosophy. I also hold a CELTA.
I am a native French and Haitian Creole speaker, and I studied Spanish. I am currently learning Slovene.
Ich als Lehrkraft
I enjoy learning and found out through tutoring that I also enjoy sharing and explaining things to my peers and students. Moreover, they enjoy my energy and seem to benefit from my teaching style, which makes the experience even more fulfilling and motivating!
Currently, I teach general English, TOEFL and TOEIC preparation classes along with Business English at an international English school and an adult learning center where I volunteer.
I know the challenges learning a new language can present, and I believe in continuously improving my teaching skills through a variety of professional training that I can customize to help my students progress faster and excel in their learning!
Meine Stunden und mein Unterrichtsstil
I have two styles of teaching which I customize to each student's needs. The most common is pre-structured, where I develop a lesson plan with a target language, within a specific context, for example, learning about the present continuous in the context of my student traveling or renting a car. This ensures my student learns vocabulary related to a relevant, real-life topic, and applies the target language through speaking and writing exercises.
I can also structure the class around a topic that my student chooses with a narrower focus, such as more grammar than vocabulary and vice versa. For either style, students can expect to also cover pronunciation.
The lessons with Valerie are always well prepared and full of useful information. Valerie is always attentive and helps me all the time to understand even the small details - be it grammar, pronunciation, the usage of words or the replacement of a word with a more appropriate synonym.
5. Apr. 2020
2bbefa
39 Haitianisch Unterrichtsstunden
Auswahl der Lehrkraft
Valerie has a gift for always knowing what I am trying to say even when I am saying it in a ridiculous way. Today she was able to help me a great deal with my word order and expressing actions in multiple tenses. The class flew by and I am looking forward to our next class!
12. Mai 2019
5d1956
3 Englisch Unterrichtsstunden
Valerie has done a great job helping me identify areas of improvement and mistakes to avoid from our half-an-hour conversation. This is so valuable and is exactly the kind of help I need in improving my English speaking. Valerie suggested me not to come to the lesson prepared in order to make it a spontaneous and impromptu conversation. It's nerve-racking, but so valuable ! !
24. Mai 2021
819246
75 Französisch Unterrichtsstunden
Auswahl der Lehrkraft
Truly a great experience, each time I have a lesson with Valerie I learn something new and important. There are many things about the French language that seem complex on the surface, but with Valerie’s help I can see my progress and the benefit of working with someone dedicated to helping me.
1. Juli 2019
a718f8
10 Englisch Unterrichtsstunden
I love having a conversation with her! She is patient, supportive and nice:) Thank you for always, and I am looking forward to upcoming lessons:)