Garrett S
★★★★★
I sat in on a trial session with Pedro D and had a fantastic experience. Pedro D balanced speaking practice and explanation really well. Perfect teacher for a first lesson—book with confidence. Strømmen Tutor Profile
Pedro D
★★★★★
From Rio to You: Pedro teaches with roots in Literature, Linguistics, and love of Learning
- Long Beach, California •
- Online
33 Classes Taught
Teaches:
Portuguese, Spanish
Offers 30 min free-trial
As low as $30.00/hr Online
Tutor Bio
Olá, my name is Pedro, and I am born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and I am a Spanish and Portuguese tutor.
I can divide the story of my relationship with languages into three topics: Literature, Linguistics and Language Learning, not necessarily in this order.
As a child, I fell in love with books. Literature was one of the first doors to the appreciation of my language and culture. Reading has always been one of my hobbies, and I believe it is good practice for every language student.
As a teenager, I felt joy understanding the logic behind the grammar rules in both my native tongue and in English. Growing up, I came to realize that Linguistics is a science that studies the natural, human phenomenon of language, and that the most beautiful lesson comes from Descriptive Grammar – that every dialect has its own internal grammar that is just as efficient and logical as the standard grammar.
As an adult, studying the theories behind Language Learning, I learned how to learn, after having spent many years in the journey towards fluency in English, and then I learned how to teach. I am also fluent in Spanish, and I am currently studying Latin.
Now I am an advocate of the Natural Method of learning, in which the student acquires the language in a conversational, context-focused environment. My teaching experience ranges from in person to online, at a physical school to at the student’s house; groups to private classes; as a full-time teacher or as freelancer; children and adults.
Nowadays, I live in the US, and I am happy to work with what I love.
Degrees and Certificates
- Degrees: Technical degree in Biotechnology from IFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Personal Interests
Reading
Learn more about Pedro
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What is your favorite word in your language and why?
Saudade. This word has been said to have no equivalent in English or in any other languages. It is similar to the feeling of nostalgia (which we also have in Portuguese), but different, deeper, stronger. Some people have said the power of the word saudade comes originally from the feeling of longing for their homes that the Portuguese sailors would experience when they were across the oceans. Some other people have said you can feel saudade even for things you have never had, as when some people from Brazil's countryside feel saudade for the sea, without ever having seen it. Anyways, although saudade can hurt at times and is hard to be defined, it is ultimately a good feeling that warms the heart, and it is my favorite word right now.
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What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?
Churrasco, which is the Brazilian Portuguese word for barbecue. If in any other barbecue the steak is the star, in churrasco the steak is the superstar! It is all about how the smoke keeps the steak tender inside and true to itself. So don't expect a lot of complex sauces and seasonig. But do expect quantity, large quantity! You can try it at the Brazilian chain Fogo de Chão (ground fire).
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Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?
I speak Spanish, and I also study Spanish, because the journey of learning a language is for ever. I study Latin as well (I can't speak it yet), which despite technically being a dead language, lives on in the Romance languages and in all the other languages it has enriched with vocabulary.
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What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?
I have already said I am deeply interested in languages, right? Ok, so outside of the language realm, I love literature, nature, science, music. And I love talking about those things with people that share the same interests.
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What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?
The best place in the world? Jokes aside, I realy think Rio de Janeiro is one of the most special places on earth, because it is a city that has breathtaking nature and carioca people celebrates life because life deserves to be celebrated.
Tutor Testimonials
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Ana Pia H
★★★★★ -
Jorge Arellano O
★★★★★Pedro is very kind, knowledgeable, and easy going. Just took my first class and it was very nice experience. Would recommend him 1000%.
Hourly Rates
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Online tutoring
Pay as you go: $50.00/hr
10 hour package: $40.00/hr — Package Price: $400.00
20 hour package: $30.00/hr — Package Price: $600.00
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In-person at tutor's location in Long Beach
Pay as you go: $50.00/hr
10 hour package: $40.00/hr — Package Price: $400.00
20 hour package: $30.00/hr — Package Price: $600.00
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In-person at your home or office
Pay as you go: $100.00/hr
10 hour package: $90.00/hr — Package Price: $900.00
20 hour package: $80.00/hr — Package Price: $1,600.00
| Pay as you go | 10 hour package | 20 hour package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tutoring | $50.00/hr | $40.00/hr — Package Price: $400.00 | $30.00/hr — Package Price: $600.00 |
| In-person at tutor’s location in Long Beach | $50.00/hr | $40.00/hr — Package Price: $400.00 | $30.00/hr — Package Price: $600.00 |
| In-person at your home or office | $100.00/hr | $90.00/hr — Package Price: $900.00 | $80.00/hr — Package Price: $1,600.00 |