Private Instruction
The following instructors and communication coaches offer their services as private, paid providers independent of Northwestern University. Providers listed on this page set their own rates based on their experience and areas of expertise. In general, hourly fees range from about $25–$50 for basic English support to $50–$80 for academic or specialized instruction, with more advanced communication coaching often ranging from $75–$150 or higher.
Individual providers should be contacted directly, either by telephone or e-mail (below). Providers normally respond within 3 business days. If you do not receive a response within that time, please contact elp@northwestern.edu and let us know so that we can help.
This information is provided for public convenience only. The decision to work with any private provider, including any individual listed below, rests solely with the hiring party. Northwestern University does not warrant, endorse, or guarantee the quality, appropriateness, or any other aspect of any service provided by a private tutor. Please be aware that tutors do not accept wire transfers as a method of payment, or payment in the form of a personal check in an amount that exceeds the cost of services.
Jen Alexander, PhD
Jen received her PhD in Linguistics from Northwestern in 2010 after earning BAs in English and Linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently a Language Pedagogy Specialist with Northwestern's English Language Programs. Jen has over 14 years of experience providing group and individual ESL instruction. She works with students on English pronunciation; communication, culture, and conversation; academic and business writing/editing/proofreading; English proficiency exams; and academic publications. Student- and small-group discounts available; references from previous clients also available on request.
email: jennifer.alexander@northwestern.edu
Brian Hampson, MA
Brian has an MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has over 20 years of English-language instruction both in the United States and Japan. He has taught extensively in both a classroom setting as well as in one-on-one settings. His specialization includes spoken English, written English, grammar, test preparation, cultural knowledge, and Business English. He can teach in both English and Japanese. Remote instruction is also available.
email: bhamps2@gmail.com
Jenna Luque, PhD, CCC-SLP
Jenna holds a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders, her MA in Linguistics, and her Certification of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology. She has been working with English learners for over fifteen years, including Northwestern's English Language Programs. She is the founder of Dr. Luque English Communication, a company offering conversation, pronunciation, writing, and presentation services over the Internet, so learners have access to the ability to work on their English wherever they are. Jenna lives in Miami, FL, and she offers services via Zoom.
email: jen@drluqueenglishcommunication.com; web: www.drluqueenglishcommunication.com
Victoria Reeves, BA, TESOL Certified
Victoria provides private tutoring for international Masters students enrolled in the Kellogg School of Management/Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. Victoria has a BA in English Composition from Beloit College, and a TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages) Certification from the English Language Center in London. She has taught all aspects of English as a Second Language (Levels 1-8, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Idiomatic English, Accent Reduction/Pronunciation) for over 20 years in the USA and Japan. Her other specializations include Academic Writing (Essays, Research Papers, Dissertations, Statements of Purpose, Fellowship Essays), Business Writing (Resumes, LinkedIn Summaries, Web Content, Branding) as well as both Academic and Career Coaching for clients from the USA and abroad. Victoria works with clients in Evanston or remotely using GoogleDocs and Zoom. She has many local references.
e-mail: WordsmithVictoria@gmail.com, phone: 206-617-5677, web: www.coachvictoriareeves.com
Irene Sakk, MA, TEFL and TESOL Certified
Over 30 years of experience in teaching English to adult learners at all levels in the USA and abroad. Specialization: spoken communication, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Remote instruction via Skype or Zoom.
email: irenesakk@gmail.com
Marina Y. Sokolova, PhD and CELTA Certified
Marina has a PhD in Second Language Acquisition and Processing, and CELTA certification (Cambridge English Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She is currently a postdoctoral researcher working on a PhD in non-native language processing. Marina has 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience in real-life and virtual classrooms. She teaches academic and spoken English and provides IELTS and TOEFL training. Her conversation-based classes are focused on grammar, accent modification, and academic reading and writing. Marina teaches online and package- and small-group discounts are available.
email: msokolopez@gmail.com, phone: 872-232-2567, website: www.msokolopez.com
Tamra Wysocki, PhD
Tamra Wysocki has a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Chicago and extensive experience as an instructor in English Language Programs at Northwestern; the English Language Coach at Kellogg, providing programming and coaching to international MBA students at Kellogg; and as a private coach to graduate students and their partners, post-doctoral researchers, and professionals. As a private coach, Tami offers customized one-on-one and small group coaching sessions designed to meet the unique needs of academic and professional environments. Whether you want to improve your pronunciation, excel in presentations, hone your networking and interviewing skills, refine your academic writing, or navigate the cultural nuances of the English language, Tami provides expert guidance tailored to your specific goals. Her honest yet empathetic approach ensures that you gain the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in your research, teaching, and professional interactions. Reach out to Tami to set up a free 20-minute consultation. email: tamra.wysocki@gmail.com