Questions & answers
1. Do you teach all levels and ages?
Absolutely! I specialize in adapting my teaching curriculum to your specific needs by taking into account your age, target-language level and learning goals.
2. Are you certified to teach?
Yes! I have an Advanced Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and an Advanced Certificate in Teaching Portuguese from the Canadian Institute of English & Applied Neuroscience. For more information on my background, experience and education, check out the About page.
3. What kind of English/Portuguese accent do you have?
I have a neutral American English accent when I speak English. I have a Brazilian Portuguese accent when I speak Portuguese. For information on my regional Brazilian accent, learn where I'm from on the About page.
4. Do you teach Brazilian Portuguese or European Portuguese?
While I do have knowledge of the European Portuguese accent and grammar, I primarily teach Brazilian Portuguese.
5. I am studying for the TOEFL exam. Do you provide tutoring for that, too?
Yes! I have experience and ample resources to help you achieve your goal of earning the score you want on the TOEFL exam. TOEFL tutoring sessions include TOEFL-specific training, grammar, test preparation and test-taking tips to help you in all areas of the TOEFL exam.
6. What makes you the best ESL/Portuguese teacher out there?
I'm glad you asked! Very rarely do you meet someone who is natively fluent in two languages - but I am! I know both languages, and most importantly, I know specifically what makes learning English difficult to speakers of Latin languages, and what makes learning Portuguese difficult for English-speakers. I also make it my personal goal to tailor each lesson to your specific goals. Do you need to learn business English? Let's do it! Do you want to know conversational English and slang so you can watch American movies without subtitles? We can do that too!
7. What about your methods - what makes them so "innovative"?
The methods I use are based on how your brain wants to learn. My studies in neuroscience and its application to learning and linguistics have inspired me to create lessons based on 40 innovative teaching methods designed to keep your brain awake and involved. Colors, singing, jumping, dancing - it will all be included in your classes to increase your retention and help you enjoy learning your new language!
8. I have a very busy schedule. Are you available when I need you?
I try to be very flexible and will always do my best to accommodate your scheduling needs. Fill out and submit a Contact form with details about when and where you would like to have classes, and we will work something out!
9. Do you provide translation and/or editing services?
Yes, I have professional experience translating and editing various documents, from essays to website texts and manuals. I provide translating services from Portuguese to English or English to Portuguese, and editing services for English texts only. Please contact me through the Contact page for more information.
10. What methods of payment do you accept?
I will send you an invoice via email once we decide when and where to start classes, and which packages, if any, you are purchasing. The invoice will allow you to pay through PayPal or with a major debit or credit card. (Please be informed that a small PayPal transaction fee will also be applied to your invoice. Feel free to contact me for more information about this transaction fee.) Payment is also acceptable in person in cash or by check only if you are purchasing in-person private classes. If this is the case, payment is due at the start of each class. Feel free to contact me through the Contact page for more information.
11. What is your cancellation policy?
Please contact me with at least a 24-hour notice of cancellation if an emergency arises. Same-day cancellations will result in a fee equivalent to the full value of the class missed. If the canceled class was prepaid, the student will lose that class. No refunds are available on prepaid classes.
12. This all sounds great, but I still want to know what your classes are like before I commit to anything.
Not a problem. I would be happy to get to know you through a free 15-minute consultation via phone or Skype. Fill out and submit a Contact form so we can chat!
Absolutely! I specialize in adapting my teaching curriculum to your specific needs by taking into account your age, target-language level and learning goals.
2. Are you certified to teach?
Yes! I have an Advanced Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and an Advanced Certificate in Teaching Portuguese from the Canadian Institute of English & Applied Neuroscience. For more information on my background, experience and education, check out the About page.
3. What kind of English/Portuguese accent do you have?
I have a neutral American English accent when I speak English. I have a Brazilian Portuguese accent when I speak Portuguese. For information on my regional Brazilian accent, learn where I'm from on the About page.
4. Do you teach Brazilian Portuguese or European Portuguese?
While I do have knowledge of the European Portuguese accent and grammar, I primarily teach Brazilian Portuguese.
5. I am studying for the TOEFL exam. Do you provide tutoring for that, too?
Yes! I have experience and ample resources to help you achieve your goal of earning the score you want on the TOEFL exam. TOEFL tutoring sessions include TOEFL-specific training, grammar, test preparation and test-taking tips to help you in all areas of the TOEFL exam.
6. What makes you the best ESL/Portuguese teacher out there?
I'm glad you asked! Very rarely do you meet someone who is natively fluent in two languages - but I am! I know both languages, and most importantly, I know specifically what makes learning English difficult to speakers of Latin languages, and what makes learning Portuguese difficult for English-speakers. I also make it my personal goal to tailor each lesson to your specific goals. Do you need to learn business English? Let's do it! Do you want to know conversational English and slang so you can watch American movies without subtitles? We can do that too!
7. What about your methods - what makes them so "innovative"?
The methods I use are based on how your brain wants to learn. My studies in neuroscience and its application to learning and linguistics have inspired me to create lessons based on 40 innovative teaching methods designed to keep your brain awake and involved. Colors, singing, jumping, dancing - it will all be included in your classes to increase your retention and help you enjoy learning your new language!
8. I have a very busy schedule. Are you available when I need you?
I try to be very flexible and will always do my best to accommodate your scheduling needs. Fill out and submit a Contact form with details about when and where you would like to have classes, and we will work something out!
9. Do you provide translation and/or editing services?
Yes, I have professional experience translating and editing various documents, from essays to website texts and manuals. I provide translating services from Portuguese to English or English to Portuguese, and editing services for English texts only. Please contact me through the Contact page for more information.
10. What methods of payment do you accept?
I will send you an invoice via email once we decide when and where to start classes, and which packages, if any, you are purchasing. The invoice will allow you to pay through PayPal or with a major debit or credit card. (Please be informed that a small PayPal transaction fee will also be applied to your invoice. Feel free to contact me for more information about this transaction fee.) Payment is also acceptable in person in cash or by check only if you are purchasing in-person private classes. If this is the case, payment is due at the start of each class. Feel free to contact me through the Contact page for more information.
11. What is your cancellation policy?
Please contact me with at least a 24-hour notice of cancellation if an emergency arises. Same-day cancellations will result in a fee equivalent to the full value of the class missed. If the canceled class was prepaid, the student will lose that class. No refunds are available on prepaid classes.
12. This all sounds great, but I still want to know what your classes are like before I commit to anything.
Not a problem. I would be happy to get to know you through a free 15-minute consultation via phone or Skype. Fill out and submit a Contact form so we can chat!