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Award-Winning IB Language A: Language and Literature SL Tutors

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Dakota
I am a native Texan now living in NYC. I just finished my Master's degree, and I love food, reading, and travel. I've been working and volunteering as a tutor since my high school days, and I am eager to provide advanced-level assistance to you! I'm a friendly, approachable person who maintains a pr...
Vanderbilt University
Master's degree
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
I am now a Florida-barred attorney with a passion for teaching. I had some amazing teachers when I went through school and was lucky to have them make learning an exciting experience for me. My goal is to make learning fun and to empower my students so that they are prepared and confident to tackle ...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Arianna
I am a Dartmouth graduate. I am currently working on my med and business endeavors. I have not only an interest, but a motivation to help others. I have helped students get into Ivy League schools as well as other top universities across the country with top scholarships. I tutor in all subjects fro...
Dartmouth College
Bachelor of Science

Certified Tutor
Naomi
I am happy to tutor for Varsity Tutors. I study English literature and philosophy, so reading and writing are my strongest suits, but I am glad to help in any of my listed subjects. Please send me a message to let me know how I can be of assistance!
Brandeis University
Bachelors, English, Philosophy

Certified Tutor
I am a TEFL certified English language teacher, with multiple years of experience teaching English overseas, having lived in both Thailand and Laos, and worked with students of all ages and skill levels. My lessons have ranged from language activation and phonics in kindergarten, to grammar instruct...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Shua
I'm thankful to have attended a high school that allowed me the opportunity to offer academic support to my peers. There were no material incentives - the rewards were intrinsic. Thus, I learned to love teaching for its own sake. When I came to college, the opportunities only expanded. I was able to...
Swarthmore College
Bachelors, Economics

Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Top 20 English Subjects
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Rhea
AP Statistics Tutor • +49 Subjects
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various subjects as well as tutoring private clients in Standardized Test preparation. Given that I graduated high school recently, I have taken several Standardized Tests and high school subjects myself, so I have a comprehensive understanding of not only how to tutor these subjects and exams, but also what it is like to take them. While I have a wide range of interests and am able to tutor various subjects, I am most passionate about tutoring in Standardized Test preparation (including ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams), Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Spanish. I truly believe that students should have the opportunity to learn in the way that works best for them, and I love being able to help them succeed by creating a comfortable tutoring environment in which we can best assess their particular needs and use strategies specific to them. My passion for learning drives everything that I do, and tutoring is the platform that I use to try to spread that passion to others. In my free time, you can find me playing badminton, listening to music, or baking something (hopefully) delicious.
Erika
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am not in school myself, I love rowing, equestrian and exploring my new city of Boston! I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!
Tony
Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, English, history, and Mandarin Chinese part-time with a DC-based tutoring company. At Yale, I worked as a freshman counselor to provide academic and career advice to incoming freshmen. I have taken both SAT and MCAT test prep classes and am familiar with both tests as well as the preparation necessary to score well. My personal career goals include attending medical school to pursue either immunology/infectious diseases or psych/neurology, teaching biology at the university level, and working in public/global health with either the CDC or the WHO.
Pinelopi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)
Earnest
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Tiffany
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects
I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.
Sami
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music
Sharon
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classroom with middle-school students who were in approximately the 10th percentile for math (meaning they score lower than 90% of students). One-fourth of those students were able to grow around 15 percentile points by the end of the year! Hobbies: reading, cooking, gardening, music, art, nature, books, writing
Annie
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am currently a second year medical student. I was a Physiological Sciences major at UCLA (class of 2015), and pursued research during my gap year between undergrad and medical school.
Quinn
Calculus Tutor • +17 Subjects
I am willing to address any issue with an open mind and I try to develop strategies that play to a student's strengths. I would like to think I am very approachable and personable, and I have had very positive experiences with many students in the past using this philosophy. Outside of academics, I love playing basketball and watching sports, as well as chilling with friends, listening to music, and keeping up with politics and current affairs.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Paper 1 (unseen texts) requires you to analyze two unseen passages using specific literary and language techniques, typically in a comparative framework. Paper 2 (studied texts) demands a more traditional essay structure with a clear thesis that addresses the prompt's specific angle on your studied works. A tutor can help you develop a flexible template that works for timed conditions—introduction with clear argument, body paragraphs organized by technique or thematic connection rather than text-by-text, and a conclusion that synthesizes your analysis. The key difference from general essay writing is that IB examiners reward precise terminology (metaphor, juxtaposition, register shift) integrated seamlessly into your argument, not listed as separate observations.
Unseen text analysis requires a systematic approach: first, read both passages to identify their genre, tone, and apparent purpose; then, mark language features that create meaning (syntax patterns, word choice, sound devices) rather than trying to identify every technique. Many students waste time listing techniques without explaining effect—instead, focus on 3-4 significant features per passage that reveal something about the writer's intention or the text's impact. A tutor can help you develop a rapid annotation system and practice identifying the relationship between the two passages (contrast, similarity, dialogue across time periods) so your comparison feels organic rather than forced.
IB examiners penalize plot retelling heavily—your essay should assume the reader knows the text and focus entirely on how language, structure, and literary devices create meaning or achieve the prompt's specific question. Instead of "In Act 2, Hamlet says...," try "Shakespeare's use of fragmented syntax in Hamlet's soliloquies reveals his psychological deterioration." A tutor can help you practice turning prompts into specific analytical angles (e.g., how does the author use narrative perspective to develop theme?) and building paragraphs around textual evidence that directly supports your argument. This shift from summary to analysis is often the biggest hurdle for students transitioning to IB-level work.
IB examiners expect you to use terminology accurately and purposefully—not to show off, but to communicate complex ideas about how texts work. Vague language like "the author uses words to make it sad" scores far lower than "the accumulation of monosyllabic words and harsh consonants creates a brittle, vulnerable tone." A tutor can help you build a working vocabulary of techniques relevant to your studied texts and unseen passages, then practice integrating terminology into flowing sentences where the technique serves your argument. The goal is terminology that feels natural to your analysis, not terminology inserted awkwardly.
Effective comparison doesn't require the texts to be similar—it requires you to find a meaningful lens for analysis. You might compare how two texts use different linguistic registers to address similar audiences, or how contrasting narrative structures create different reader responses to parallel themes. Rather than forcing similarities, identify what each text does differently and why that difference matters. A tutor can help you practice moving beyond surface-level comparisons ("Text A uses metaphor, Text B uses simile") to deeper analysis ("Text A's extended metaphor creates intimacy with the reader, while Text B's fragmented imagery creates distance and alienation").
Paper 1 (2 hours for two unseen texts) requires ruthless prioritization—spend 10-15 minutes reading and annotating both texts, then 35-40 minutes on each essay, leaving 5 minutes for proofreading. Many students lose points by over-analyzing minor details in the first text and rushing the second. A tutor can help you practice timed writing regularly, developing speed without sacrificing analytical depth, and learning to recognize which textual features deserve detailed analysis versus which are distractions. Paper 2 (2 hours for one essay) allows more time for planning and revision, so you can afford a more thorough outline before writing.
A tutor provides targeted feedback on the specific gaps between what you've written and what IB examiners reward—whether that's weak thesis statements, analysis that doesn't connect to evidence, or terminology used imprecisely. Rather than general comments, a tutor identifies patterns in your writing (e.g., you tend to summarize rather than analyze, or your comparisons lack a clear analytical framework) and helps you develop revision strategies specific to those patterns. You'll also get practice writing under timed conditions with feedback on both content and pacing, so you're not discovering time-management issues on exam day.
Choose texts you're genuinely interested in—your authentic engagement will show in your writing, and you'll naturally notice more nuanced details about language and structure when you care about the content. However, avoid texts that are primarily plot-driven or that you find difficult to discuss analytically; IB Language A rewards close reading of language and form, so texts with rich linguistic complexity (poetry, experimental prose, rhetoric-heavy non-fiction) often yield stronger essays. A tutor can help you evaluate your text choices early in the course, ensuring they offer enough analytical depth for both the studied text essay and potential comparative frameworks with unseen texts.
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