writing

Try a FREE lesson!

If you want to work on your writing for personal reasons. business/professional reasons, academic reasons, or standardized tests like the CELPIP, Duolingo, or IELTS,* I can give you individualized instruction to help you become a more confident, accurate, and stylish writer.

Besides having a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, I am a published writer of newspaper articles and poetry. I also have over 30 years’ experience teaching writing to and editing for ESL learners.

Here are some benefits of learning writing with me:

  • I will tutor you in a way and at a speed that is comfortable for you, depending on your level, goals, learning style, interests, and life experience.
  • I can answer questions at any time during your lessons and give clear reasons why your grammar, punctuation, etc., is incorrect.
  • I can give you helpful tips on how to review the writing that we correct in class by yourself.
  • During your lessons, I will type detailed notes in your Google doc, which you may review at any time between lessons.  Google Docs is a free online service that lets users share and edit documents together in real time. This service is very easy to use.
  • I will also help you review what you have learned during your lessons.
  • I will recommend resources (books, websites, etc.) if I think they might help you to improve your writing.

I offer three types of writing lessons to choose from depending on your budget and learning needs.

Type 1: $25/hour (student) and $30/hour (regular)** (a one-hour lesson)
Type 2: $35/hour (student) and $40/hour (regular)** (a one-hour lesson and 30 minutes of preparation by me)
Type 3: $45/hour (student) and $50/hour (regular)** (a one-hour lesson and one hour of preparation by me)
 
Please continue reading for more information.
 
~Note: I usually recommend one to three lessons per week.~
 

TYPE 1: Preparation is not included (in other words, I correct and discuss your writing during the lesson)

Rate: $25/hour (student) and $30/hour (regular)** (a one-hour lesson)

When we meet for your first free lesson (one hour), we will talk about what you would like to learn, and you will show me an example of your writing. The writing may be personal or work-related (for example, an email, a journal entry, or a résumé).

You may also choose to write something in an academic style (an essay) or other writing that you need to practice for such tests as the CELPIP, Duolingo, or IELTS.*

During your free lesson (and in lessons after that), I will correct your writing and explain the reasons for the corrections. When I correct your writing, we will discuss the parts of your writing that you need to work on, such as grammar, word choice (vocabulary), and punctuation.

We can also discuss how to improve the organization and content (ideas) of your writing, if necessary. My corrections and explanations will help you write in a clearer, more precise, and more sophisticated way.

My students sometimes choose their own writing topics, but I will be happy to give you a topic if you need one.

I will type your corrections and my suggestions in your personal Google doc so that you can review them after each lesson.  Google Docs is a free online service that lets users share and edit documents together in real time.  This service is very easy to use.

TYPE 2: Some preparation and/or homework are included (in other words, I design a lesson for you and sometimes or always give you homework)

Rate: $35/hour (student) and $40/hour (regular)** (a one-hour lesson and 30 minutes of preparation by me)

OR

TYPE 3: More preparation and/or homework are included (in other words, I design a lesson for you and sometimes or always give you homework)

Rate: $45/hour (student) and $50/hour (regular)** (a one-hour lesson and one hour of preparation by me)

Like during a Type 1 lesson (see above), I also correct and discuss your writing during these two types of lessons.

However, Type 2 and Type 3 lessons also include homework and/or in-class writing exercises that will help you improve your weak points. These exercises can help you work on various aspects of your writing, such as grammar, punctuation, word choice (vocabulary), brainstorming, and organization.

You might also choose to practice the writing sections of the CELPIP, Duolingo, or IELTS* during these types of lessons.

I will type your corrections and my suggestions in your personal Google doc so that you can review them after each lesson.  Google Docs is a free online service that lets users share and edit documents together in real time.  This service is very easy to use.

Because I give you extra writing practice, Type 2 and Type 3 lessons are more structured than Type 1 lessons. These lesson types include research, preparation, homework (including writing topics), and/or learning materials.

For more information or a free lesson (one hour), please email Sarah at esltutor500(at)gmail(dot)com or call (leave a message)/text 1 (902) 452-5557.

* IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
** My rates are valid as of August 28th, 2024, and may change without notice. All prices are in Canadian dollars.