1^st lesson free

Brandon

5 (1 review)

Rate $40
Response 1h

5 (1 review)

$40/h

1^st lesson free

English
Essay writing
Literature
Writing
Thesis

Premium Academic English and College-Level Prep Coach | Certified ESL/ELA and TOEFL Expert

English
Essay writing
Literature
Writing
Thesis

Lesson location

- online
- at your home or a public place : will travel up to 20 mi. from Davenport

About Brandon

About Me: Language, Music, and a Passion for Teaching
Hello! I’m Brandon, a dedicated educator, musician, and mentor with over 20 years of experience teaching English and academic communication, alongside a lifelong passion for guitar and musicianship. I believe that learning should be transformative—whether you're mastering a language, refining your writing, or developing real musicianship, my approach ensures that you gain skills that last a lifetime.

English Language & Academic Coaching
With a background in TESOL, English language instruction, and teacher training, I’ve spent over two decades working in the U.S., China, and South Korea, helping students and professionals excel in their studies, careers, and global communication.

I specialize in:
Business & Workplace English – Learn to speak and write with confidence in professional settings.
Academic Writing & Critical Thinking – Master university-level writing, research, and essay composition.
Test Prep (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT) – Proven strategies to help students achieve their target scores.
Cross-Cultural Communication & Public Speaking – Develop natural fluency and persuasive speaking skills.

My teaching philosophy is inquiry-based and project-centered, meaning that lessons are customized, interactive, and designed to meet your personal and professional goals.

Guitar & Musicianship Coaching

I have been playing guitar since 1989 and have experience teaching beginners and intermediate players to develop strong foundational skills in technique, rhythm, and creative expression.

Professional Training – Studied at McNally Smith College of Music (formerly Music Tech of Minneapolis) and completed an intensive one-year Contemporary Guitar Performance program, where I was awarded Best Guitarist of my graduating class.
Performance & Touring Experience – Toured throughout the American South and spent five months performing in South Korea under contract with the MWR department of the U.S. 8th Army.
Guitar Teaching Focus Areas:
Beginner Guitar Mastery – Learn essential chords, strumming, and picking techniques.
Fundamentals of Music Theory – Understand scales, chord progressions, and how music works.
Improvisation & Play-by-Ear Techniques – Learn how to create music naturally and explore your creativity.

Like my English lessons, my guitar coaching is structured and project-based—you don’t just learn isolated techniques, you learn how to think like a musician and apply skills in a real-world context.

Learning Through Music – A Creative Approach to Language

For students looking for a unique, engaging way to learn English, I also offer lessons that integrate language and music.

Expand vocabulary & pronunciation through song lyrics.
Develop fluency through rhythm, speech pacing, and melody.
Enhance storytelling & creative writing skills using musical structures.

Music and language are both forms of communication and expression—I help students use both to connect, create, and grow.

About the lesson

Let Me Empower You With the Knowledge, Skills, and Know How to Succeed!

What students can expect from my lessons:
Personalized instruction tailored to learning goals.
Inquiry-based learning—students discover, analyze, and apply knowledge.
A structured yet creative approach that encourages independent learning.
Lessons that focus on real-world application, not just theory.

English & Academic Communication Lessons
Lesson Format (CEFR B1 – Intermediate Level)
My English lessons are structured, practical, and engaging—designed to help students gain confidence, fluency, and critical thinking skills. Lessons include:

Real-World Speaking & Listening Practice – Interactive discussions, role-playing, and situational dialogues.
Writing & Grammar Mastery – Sentence structure, paragraph cohesion, and essay development.
Business & Professional English – Email writing, presentations, and negotiation skills.
Test Prep Strategies (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT) – Focused drills to improve scores.
American Academic Culture & Communication – Learn how to analyze texts, write essays, and participate in discussions effectively.

How I Teach

Inquiry-Based Approach – I ask guiding questions to help students discover answers instead of just memorizing rules.
Project-Based Learning – Students apply skills in real-world scenarios, such as writing a business report or debating a social issue.
Adaptive Learning – Lessons are tailored based on student strengths, challenges, and learning preferences.
Outcome: Students develop practical English skills for business, academics, and everyday communication.

Guitar & Musicianship Lessons
Lesson Format (Beginner to Intermediate Levels – CEFR B1 Adaptation for Non-Natives)
My guitar lessons focus on practical musicianship, creative expression, and real-world application.

Core Guitar Techniques – Strumming, fingerpicking, fretting, and chord progressions.
Music Theory Made Simple – Scales, harmony, rhythm, and improvisation explained clearly.
Song-Based Learning – Students apply techniques by learning real songs in various styles.
Composition & Arranging – Learn to create chord progressions and simple melodies.
Expressive Playing & Improvisation – How to make music personal and creative.

How I Teach

Step-by-Step Skill Building – I break down complex techniques into simple, achievable goals.
Project-Based Learning – Every student works toward a performance goal, whether playing a song, writing music, or improvising.
Structured Creativity – I teach students how to understand music logically while encouraging artistic expression.
Outcome: Students develop real musicianship, not just the ability to play songs.

Learning English Through Music
Lesson Format (Integrated English & Guitar for Language Learning at CEFR B1)
This unique course is designed for English learners who love music and want to use music to improve their language skills.

Learning Vocabulary & Pronunciation Through Lyrics – Students analyze songs, practice pronunciation, and expand vocabulary.
Speaking & Listening with Rhythm & Melody – Students develop intonation, pacing, and fluency through rhythm exercises.
Storytelling & Writing Through Song Lyrics – Students learn to express ideas creatively using the structure of songs.
Interactive Performance & Expression – Singing, playing along, and discussing song meanings in English.

How I Teach

Music as a Learning Tool – We use real songs, lyrics, and rhythm to develop English fluency.
Interactive & Engaging Activities – Role-playing, call-and-response exercises, and storytelling.
Confidence-Building Techniques – Encouraging natural language production through music-based repetition.
Outcome: Students improve pronunciation, comprehension, and fluency while engaging with music they love.

Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

A

Abdullah

I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the trustworthy Professor Brandon. I would like to sincerely compliment and praise to your outstanding contributions and dedication to his work. your expertise and unwavering commitment serve as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of learning from you.
Read more

A
Abdullah
I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the trustworthy Professor Brandon. I would like to sincerely compliment and praise to your outstanding contributions and dedication to his work. your expertise and unwavering commitment serve as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of learning from you.
View more recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

5h: $181
10h: $340

online

$40/h

Travel

+ $$10

free lessons

This first lesson offered with Brandon will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

45mins

Details

Lesson Type Base Rate (Per Hour) 5-Hour Package (-10%)

10-Hour Package (-15%) Bonus for First Paid Lesson Bonus for 5/10-Hour Packages

English Coaching (General, Business, Academic, Test Prep)
$40/hr $180 ($36/hr) $340 ($34/hr)

BONUSES!
Personalized Learning Plan & Skill Assessment
Extra 15-minute consultation to refine goals

Guitar Lessons (Beginner & Intermediate)
$40/hr $180 ($36/hr) $340 ($34/hr)

BONUSES!
Custom Practice Routine PDF
Personalized Feedback Report with Recommendations

English Through Music (Language & Guitar Hybrid Lessons)
$40/hr $180 ($36/hr) $340 ($34/hr)

BONUSES!
Song Analysis & Fluency Drill
Bonus Lesson on Creative Expression (Lyrics & Melody)

Premium Academic English and College-Level Prep Coach | Certified ESL/ELA and TOEFL Expert

Lesson location

About Brandon

About the lesson

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online

Travel

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Premium Academic English and College-Level Prep Coach | Certified ESL/ELA and TOEFL Expert

Lesson location

About Brandon

About the lesson

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

Travel

free lessons

Details

Other tutors in English

Zane

Melissa

Paul

Paige

Brian

Stephanie

Myka

Katie

Kate

Sarah

Lily

Alberto

Laura

Camille

Mary

Davayne

Al Hamza

Blake

Johann Nicholas

Brais

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