Darien Tutor Profile
Hi, I'm Darien, but you can call me Dot if that's easier! I offer lessons where you can learn English in a variety of different fun ways, like roleplaying, playing video games, or reading novels! I also offer professional-level English copyediting services for more advanced English speakers.
My Story
I was born in Texas, but moved to New York City with my family when I was still young. Some people tell me I still talk with a cowboy's accent! I've been playing guitar since I was little, and love to write songs in my spare time. I was raised on Nintendo, and today video games and roleplaying games are still a huge part of my life.
I started taking Japanese in high school, and discovered how much I loved the language, culture and country as a whole! I was fortunate to be able to travel to Japan twice in high school, where I stayed with homestay families. I made lots of lifelong friends and developed a close bond with my host families, all while improving my Japanese more than I could hope to in a classroom! A trip to Tokyo after my high school graduation continued to prove how conversation is the best way of learning a language, and cemented my desire to continue my studies.
At college, I majored in English composition with a minor in Japanese language and culture. I excelled in my language classes, and was asked by my Japanese professor to lead weekly grammar and vocabulary review sessions with his 101-level classes. In addition, I got a job with the college's World Languages Department to work as a language driller for all the novice-level Japanese classes. As an upperclassman, I was lucky to be selected by my professor to be a mentor to the incoming students of his first-year seminar until I graduated.
Since college, I've been working as a freelance copyeditor for news outlets and academics, playing music, and aspiring to publish some of my tabletop roleplaying adventures!
My Teaching Style
In my lessons and in life, I am friendly and conversational! I really like to get to know my students so I can better personalize lessons to their skill level and interests, ensuring that every lesson is as fun and effective as it can be!
I love to teach through shared interest. If you like JRPGs, we can play a Final Fantasy game in English! If you like to read, we can read a novel together! If you like to roleplay, we can roleplay together! Anything is possible! :)
Thanks for reading! I can't wait to meet you. :)
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