Private Phonics Tutoring
Receive personally tailored Phonics lessons from exceptional tutors in a one-on-one setting. We help you connect with the best tutor for your particular needs while offering flexible scheduling to fit your busy life.
...high school seniors on their reading and writing skills. I truly believe that reading and writing is the key to understanding and interacting with the world in a positive way. I know certain books have changed my life and I hope to instill the same passion I have for the written word within all my students! I have been teaching both high school and middle school in Philadelphia for the past five years. I have... Read more
Can also tutor: High School English, Literature, English Grammar and Syntax and 26 more subjects.
I am committed to providing my students with the best learning experience achievable. I strive to cater to their needs and challenge them to achieve their academic goals. ... I believe that every student can reach their personal potential. In order to do so, both student and educator must communicate with each other to use the student's strengths to overcome any challenges the student may face.... I always like to learn about the student's goals, interests,... Read more
Can also tutor: SAT Reading, Elementary School Writing, Elementary School Math and 18 more subjects.
...as that is where my interests lie. I enjoy discussing books with my students and helping them realize the subtle nuances of the author's language. I also enjoy helping my students with their own writing, helping them find their unique style. For test prep, I enjoy the English, Reading and Writing portions and try to help my students do the same. I believe the more a student enjoys something the easier it will be for... Read more
Can also tutor: Public Speaking, Reading, High School English and 21 more subjects.
...University in Jacksonville, Florida. I am certified to teach Kindergarten-6th grade in Florida, hold a reading endorsement, and am in the process of becoming certified in the same subject areas in Colorado. I have 2 years of experience teaching Kindergarten in Florida, before relocating to Colorado late last year. I really love working one on one with students as I feel the uninterrupted time together yields better results. I like that I can dedicate my... Read more
Can also tutor: Reading, English Grammar and Syntax, High School English and 37 more subjects.
...6th year Kindergarten teacher and I have a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. I love teaching reading, phonics, comprehension, and math through songs, games, and activities that make learning fun and engaging! I am married and have been blessed with four children (and a dog)! I love reading, cooking/baking, yoga, and music! I love to incorporate these hobbies into my teaching! I look forward to meeting you and helping you learn and grow! Read more
Can also tutor: Reading, ESL/ELL, Elementary School English and 6 more subjects.
...learning with others. From 2011 through 2013, I tutored middle school students in the Oakland Public School system through the Partners Program. From 2014 to 2015, I was employed as a private tutor for students both in middle school and in high school. Over the last year I have tutored international high school students online in test preparation, as well as various academic subjects. I have more informal teaching experience as a counselor intern naturalist... Read more
Can also tutor: AP English Language and Composition, High School English, Writing and 45 more subjects.
...a Second Language had to take the SAT exam, so I branched out into tutoring for that test as well as other standardized tests. I know those tests are challenging, but I have helped quite a number of students improve their scores. Outside of teaching, my interests include classical and world music and dance, including classical forms of dance from India. I also love to cook, and am always trying new recipes. I look forward... Read more
Can also tutor: College English, Writing, ESL/ELL and 26 more subjects.
...working for a private tutoring company as an SAT instructor, leading test-prep classes for high school students. I continue to pursue my educational and personal goals while at Brown. Although I am most experienced in the maths and sciences , I also love teaching English subjects as well as social sciences. I also value community involvement and have a love for the arts. I have danced for more than 15 years, on company teams and... Read more
Can also tutor: Reading, Literature, College English and 64 more subjects.
...in Education. I have degrees in both English Literature and English Education, and have taught at the high school and college level over the past 13 years. This combined experience has strengthened my performance as a tutor for students needing help with coursework or testing preparation. Being a teacher is what defines me. For as long as I can remember, I have been driven by my passion for education, and nothing thrills me more than... Read more
Can also tutor: High School English, Reading, Public Speaking and 19 more subjects.
...is in these areas that I have had the most success--as well as the most fun-- teaching both academic students as well as those preparing for entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT. I love being able to impact my students' lives in a meaningful way through enriching their educational experience. In my spare time, I am a crafts enthusiast, usually working on multiple sewing and other projects at once, reading fantasy and science... Read more
Can also tutor: Writing, Reading, College Essays and 40 more subjects.
Hi there! My name is Erica. I graduated from Columbia University, where I studied the intersection of popular culture and politics. I like to write about comedy, dance, and New York arts and culture. I would love to share my enthusiasm for US history, social justice, and semicolons with students! Read more
Can also tutor: Literature, ESL/ELL, Public Speaking and 51 more subjects.
...Literature in 2014. Since graduation, I have served one year as a K-2 literacy tutor with A Community for Education, and this past year I worked as a kindergarten teacher at IDEA Public Schools. I will be beginning a Masters Program in Education this fall at the University of Texas at Austin with a certification in teaching 7-12th English. My goal as a professional is to unite my love of literature with my passion for... Read more
Can also tutor: Reading, Writing, Literature and 20 more subjects.
I have a M.A. in Teaching (2011) from Missouri Baptist University. I have been tutoring since 2014. I love the one on one aspect of tutoring a student.The main reason for tutoring is to help a student get from point 'a' to point 'b'. Helping students find the most direct route to success is the first goal in tutoring.... I believe that every student has the ability to learn - some just need extra time, help,... Read more
Can also tutor: High School English, Adult Literacy, English Grammar and Syntax and 110 more subjects.
I am a USC graduate with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Accounting. I also teach basic accounting and nonprofit accounting at UCLA extension. I have volunteered to mentor students in the past and have privately tutored young kids in reading and phonics. I am a business leader and have been a Controller for various companies in the past - from small to large, start-ups, for profit and nonprofit.... Read more
Can also tutor: College English, Reading, High School English and 15 more subjects.
...after graduation. I traveled overseas to teach for a year in China. There, my students were all international children with different academic and English levels. Upon returning to the United States, I continued teaching. I decided to continue my education and I graduated from Barry University with a Master's Degree in Special Education. I love all subjects, but have a passion for Math and English. I believe that Math is an international language that everyone... Read more
Can also tutor: Reading, High School English, College Essays and 25 more subjects.
I am dedicated to infusing choice into student learning. I specialize in early childhood special education, unschooling, building communities, and bicycle travel. I currently work with organizations that intersect education, the arts, and the environment to bring student-led learning into the public education sector. ... I believe that everyone can learn. The trick is to find out the best ways for each person. They can include a combination of visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and oral. I also... Read more
Can also tutor: High School English, Middle School Reading, Elementary School and 29 more subjects.
...National Louis University. I have taught elementary school for three years and have worked with children with special needs for over five years. My tutoring experience includes individual tutoring and small group tutoring in the classroom. I also have experience with homework club. I currently work in higher education, working with individuals pursuing graduate school. My favorite subject to teach is anything with elementary school children. With older children, I enjoy many subjects such as... Read more
Can also tutor: ESL/ELL, College English, College Essays and 15 more subjects.
...type of child/flower requires a variety of strategies and fertilizers in order for them to grow and flourish. I am honored to be a teacher and an educator. It is a privledge to touch the lives of so many people sharing with them the gift of literacy. Education and knowledge are powerful learning tools. When engaging and interacting with children my goal with is to help one develops the potentials and abilities that are already... Read more
Can also tutor: College English, English Grammar and Syntax, High School English and 8 more subjects.
...different types of learners. Even though I am certified in and enjoy teaching all elementary subjects, I enjoy teaching math and science the most! I recently asked my students what they enjoyed most about our class, and the resounding answer was that they love that we have fun while learning! In my free time, I love to play soccer, watch the Badgers and the Brewers, reading, and traveling. I look forward to meeting and working... Read more
Can also tutor: Writing, College English, High School English and 39 more subjects.
...the elementary level. I've worked with students from a variety of backgrounds with varied educational needs. I strongly believe in meeting the needs of the students in my care, providing the best support academically and watching them become successful in their studies. I was tutored as a child and because of the level of support I received, I've developed a love for teaching and learning, and would love to share that with others.... My teaching philosophy... Read more
Can also tutor: Elementary School, Special Education and 4 more subjects.
Receive personally tailored Phonics lessons from exceptional tutors in a one-on-one setting. We help you connect with the best tutor for your particular needs while offering flexible scheduling to fit your busy life.
For young students, phonics is a great foundation for literacy, reading, and writing; concerned parents can reach out to Varsity Tutors to connect with a phonics tutor who can work individually with students to help them get everything they can out of phonics tutoring sessions.
Phonics is one way a student learns to use words properly - they'll probably start learning these concepts as early as kindergarten. Written language can feel like codes to a youth who struggles, and some parents try to help lessen the stress by starting the search for a "phonics tutor near me." We understand how important it is for your student to learn things like the different relationships between letters and words. Finding a phonics tutor with help from Varsity Tutors gives your student more opportunities to practice and learn.
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Our knowledgeable directors help you choose your tutor with your learning profile and personality in mind.
Customize Learning
Your tutor can customize your lessons and present concepts in engaging easy-to-understand-ways.
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You can learn more efficiently and effectively because the teaching style is tailored to you.
Online Convenience
With the flexibility of online tutoring, your tutor can be arranged to meet at a time that suits you.
If you think the young student in your life may be falling behind their peers, Varsity Tutors can set you up with a knowledgeable phonics tutor in as little as 24 hours. For many parents, phonics can be a difficult thing to try to teach to their children. Worse, some phonics problems stress general rules at the expense of accuracy, like pronouncing the "k" at the beginning of the word "knit" because your student hasn't been introduced to silent letters yet.
What all of that means is that you may not be able to help your student if they need help with their phonics studies. Thankfully, we can connect you to one of many certified phonics tutors who not only understands the basics of phonics but also knows how to effectively share that information with a young child. Read on for more information about how we might be able to help you.
What topics can my student study with the help of phonics tutors?
Phonics is actually a pretty involved subject covering a variety of topics, including consonants and short vowel sounds, consonant digraphs and blends, vowel patterns, syllable patterns, and affixes. Here is a quick refresher on what each of these concepts are:
1. Consonants and Short Vowel Sounds
This is the most basic concept in phonics. Consonants are speech sounds produced with a total or partial closing of the vocal tract, such as the letters "t," "d," and "f" in the English alphabet. They are contrasted by vowels such as "a" and "e" that do not require speakers to close their vocal tract to produce their corresponding sounds. These sounds are called "phonemes."
2. Consonant Digraphs and Blends
You're almost certainly familiar with digraphs, though you might not call them that. A digraph may be defined as a combination of letters that produces a sound that isn't signified by any letter in a language's alphabet. For example, the "sh" at the beginning of words like "shark" and "ship" is a unique sound that no individual letter produces. Some digraphs are also "leftover" from an earlier point in a language's history when there were distinct pronunciations that no longer exist. For example, the digraph "ph" produces an "f" sound in words like phone, but it would be incorrect to spell it "fone."
3. Long Vowels
Long vowels are longer than their shorter counterparts, though they are denoted by the same letters in English. The concept is typically taught as a vowel saying its own name, such as the "a" in "may" or the "i" in "mine."
4. Syllable Patterns
Syllables are the phonological building blocks of language, and phonics instruction generally involves identifying and counting them. A vowel sound usually serves as the "nucleus" or core of a syllable, with optional consonant sounds on its beginning or end.
5. Affixes
An affix is the addition of particular letters to a base word that changes its meaning in a predictable manner. For example, adding an "s" to most nouns in English makes it plural. Both prefixes and suffixes may be considered affixes.
What are the benefits of working with phonics tutors?
Your student's classroom teacher is likely to teach phonics from kindergarten to second grade, but the volume of children in the class prevent any one student from getting the kind of individualized attention that may be necessary for it to sink in. Furthermore, younger children may be too nervous to ask for help in front of their friends even if they realize they need it. This can prove problematic, as students are expected to be able to read and write basic words by the conclusion of second grade.
Working with a professional phonics tutor can help solve both of these problems above. Your student can work with a knowledgeable phonics expert in a one-on-one learning environment where they don't need to worry about anyone making fun of them because they are learning a little more slowly than everyone else. In fact, your child may establish a personal rapport with their instructor that makes it easier for them to ask for help as necessary.
Any questions your student asks can also be answered quickly, ensuring that they receive clarification before a minor misunderstanding gains momentum. Furthermore, their completed assignments can be returned with feedback expediently, allowing them to correct any mistakes while the material remains fresh in their mind.
Studying with a private phonics tutor also allows your student to study at their preferred pace. If they already understand how to read and phonics bores them to tears, their instructor can aggressively introduce new concepts to make their study sessions more engaging. If they're having a hard time distinguishing between short and long vowel sounds, their instructor can slow down and provide additional examples until they are ready to move onto the next thing.
Phonics tutoring sessions can also be designed around your student's preferred learning style to optimize their study efficiency. If your son or daughter is a visual learner, their instructor can incorporate charts, tables, and other visual aids to help them understand what sounds each letter can make. If they are more of a kinesthetic student, they might play with magnetic letters to develop a better understanding of the concepts taught in phonics. If your student is more auditory by nature, their instructor might utilize a lecture and discussion format with plenty of oral repetition to help key concepts stick in their head.
Since young children rarely want to sit down and study the way older students might, your student's instructor may also use games to make studying phonics more fun. There are a lot of educational video games that can help a student understand the principles of phonics, and your child's instructor can recommend a good one. Alternatively, they might invent a game using something as simple as flashcards to make studying more engaging.
Your child's tutor can also help you find resources to help you effectively reinforce the instruction your student receives in school and during phonics tutoring sessions. You can also receive regular progress reports to help you understand where your student is progressing and any areas of opportunity that could benefit from a little more work.
Why should my student study phonics?
As many as 87 percent of all English words can be successfully sounded out to some degree with phonics, allowing students to sound out a lot of potentially unfamiliar words. Working with phonics can also help young students identify linguistic patterns, potentially allowing them to achieve fluency more quickly. An approach called "synthetic phonics" also introduces students to writing through segmentation. Phonics may also help young children with spelling, though there are a lot of exceptions since many English sounds can be spelled in more than one way.
Perhaps most importantly, phonics is part of the English Common Core standards that students take standardized tests on throughout their academic lives. If your student is apprehensive about taking a test, their instructor can shoe them test-taking strategies for them to fall back on if they feel stuck. They may also demonstrate mindfulness techniques such as meditation if they are experiencing test anxiety.
What makes Varsity Tutors such a powerful educational resource?
If you were going to try and find your own private instructor for your student, you would need to make sure that they understand phonics, a subject that most adults haven't thought about in years. You would also need to make sure that they know how to work with young children, as working with a four-year old bears little similarity to helping a teenager prepare for something like the SAT. Finally, you would need to make sure your schedules are compatible. As a busy parent, do you really have time for all of that?
Probably not, which is why we specialize in taking the hassle out of private instruction. We maintain a database of thousands of independent tutors, helping us find you somebody who meets all of your phonics tutoring needs quickly and efficiently. We also offer an exclusive Live Learning Platform that allows your child to receive face-to-face instruction online, so you don't need to worry about cleaning up the house because the instructor is coming over or driving your student anywhere. Powerful features such as video chat functionality and a virtual whiteboard ensure that your student's study sessions are just as effective as meeting up in person would be, so you're not compromising efficacy for convenience either.
You are also in complete control over when study sessions take place, allowing your young student to continue pursuing any extracurricular activities they enjoy while also working on their phonics skills. For instance, there never needs to be a session on a Sunday if you prefer to devote the day to family time.
Educational consultants are currently standing by to help you in any way they can, so what are you waiting for? Contact Varsity Tutors using the information provided below today to help your student start working with knowledgeable phonics tutors who can help them reach for their academic potential!