Practice English with Barbara

4.9 average rating
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Barbara

North American Accent
99% positive reviews
Expertise: Conversation Practice · Pronunciation · Accent Reduction

Works with: Intermediate · Upper Intermediate · Advanced
Also speaks: Spanish (Basic) · Italian (Basic)
Familiar with: Vocabulary · English for Interviewing · English for Travel · Grammar · English for Business · Reading · Listening · Business · Marketing · Science · Healthcare · Human Resources · Education · Art · Entertainment · Sales · IELTS
Expertise: Conversation Practice · Pronunciation · Accent Reduction

Works with: Intermediate · Upper Intermediate · Advanced
Also speaks: Spanish (Basic) · Italian (Basic)
Familiar with: Vocabulary · English for Interviewing · English for Travel · Grammar · English for Business · Reading · Listening · Business · Marketing · Science · Healthcare · Human Resources · Education · Art · Entertainment · Sales · IELTS

Hello!

Welcome! I'm Barbara, and I'm so excited to be your English tutor. I live in the beautiful country of Costa Rica now, I relocated from Los Angeles California and I bring a rich and varied life experience to every lesson. I am a retired psychologist with a doctoral degree, which means I am a patient, attentive listener who truly understands how people learn and communicate. I am also a passionate genealogist — the fascinating study of family history and heritage — so I love discovering where people come from and the stories behind their lives. Art is central to who I am. I paint daily in watercolor and pastel, and music and literature fill my world as well. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and over the decades I have lived in several countries across Europe and beyond, which gave me a deep appreciation for different cultures and languages. I have some conversational ability in Spanish, Italian, and French, so I know firsthand how challenging and rewarding learning a new language can be! With more than ten years of online teaching experience, I bring warmth, patience, and genuine curiosity to every session. I believe every student has a unique and interesting story, and I look forward to hearing yours. See you soon!

I have a lifelong passion for world history and geography — I find that understanding the world's past makes every culture more fascinating. As a genealogist, I spend a great deal of time researching family histories, and I am always amazed by the stories that emerge when we dig into our roots. Painting is my daily joy. I work primarily in pastel and watercolor, and I find that art, much like language, is a beautiful way to express who we are. I am genuinely curious about people and I would love to hear about you — your culture, your traditions, and your corner of the world. Every student I meet teaches me something new, and that is what makes this work so rewarding!

About

Student Preferences

Open to new students

Languages

English (Native: USA Accent)
Spanish (Basic)
Italian (Basic)

Industry familiarity

💼 Business
📈 Marketing
🔬 Science
🩺 Health Care
👥 Human Resources
🎨 Art
🏫 Education
🎤 Entertainment
🏷️ Sales

Interests

🍴 Food
🎬 Movies
🎶 Music
🔬 Science
🌍 Travel
🎨 Art
💻 Technology
☀️ Health and Wellness
📜 History
🧐 Philosophy

Specialties

Teaching Style

My goal is to make every lesson fun, engaging, and completely tailored to you. I believe the best learning happens when you are relaxed and enjoying yourself, so I bring energy and enthusiasm to every session. I customize each class to fit your specific needs and goals. Whether you want to practice free conversation on topics that interest you, work on professional skills like job interview preparation, build vocabulary, or simply gain confidence in everyday English — I am here for all of it. No two students are alike, and your lessons should reflect that. Let's find the approach that works best for you!

Preferred Levels

Intermediate
Upper Intermediate
Advanced

Language Skills Focus

Conversation Practice
Pronunciation
Accent Reduction
Vocabulary
English for Interviewing
English for Travel
Grammar
English for Business
Reading
Listening

Standardized Test Familiarity

IELTS