Demetrius Houpis
5.0
United States•
1:23 AM (GMT-08:00)
English
24
265
English
24
265
Speaks
English
Native
,Mandarin
C1
About Me
Hello! I am a professional credentialed* educator in history-social science and English language development. This means that the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) recognizes my skills in learning theory, instruction, assessment, curriculum design, clinical practice, and action research in these subjects. I have been a teacher for over 10 years, primarily working internationally for private and public schools and universities, along with secondary schools in California. I enjoy making friends from all around the world. (*You can check my credential's validity on the CTC's website.)
Most importantly, I'm a teacher that will give you a clear goal and plan for success. I also use the most advanced teaching techniques. For example, if your goal is learning about history-social science, you will learn how to develop your skills in this field using scientific inquiry. Also, if your goal is improving your English, you will receive timely feedback based on tasks that simulate practical, real life situations, known as task-based language learning. Furthermore, my curriculums are based on California State Standards and English Language Development Standards for professional learning, teaching, and assessment.
Below are the courses I offer. See lesson syllabi for more details.
《Comprehensive English - Speaking, Listening, Reading, & Writing》
In my Comprehensive English classes you will receive lots of feedback about your current abilities. It is for Beginner-A1/2 students, as well as for Intermediate-B1/2 and Advanced-C1/2 students. It will improve your speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills, along with your fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation abilities. This course is used by many professional language schools based on CEFR standards.
《TOEFL & IELTS Test Preparation》
In my TOEFL & IELTS Test Preparation classes I will teach you the skills you need to know to pass these exams as soon as possible based on your current English level. Our primary focus will be the speaking and/or writing section(s) with simulated tests. Also, you will learn strategies for the listening, reading, speaking, and writing sections. After passing an advanced level Chinese test, I understand what it takes to do well on a language exam that is not in my native language.
《Social Science: History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Cross-Culture Communication Skills, etc.》
Learn about World History, American History & Culture, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Western Philosophy, and/or Cross-Culture Communication Skills with a real Social Science teacher. It is important to be knowledgeable in these topics in order communicate successfully. This knowledge is transferable to business, academia, and daily interaction for those who often communicate with Americans and/or live in America. This class is designed for English language learners.
《Business English - Comprehensive》
This can be a comprehensive business English course or we can modify it to meet a more specific area or industry. This course covers topics such as: office language and everyday tasks, business correspondence, negotiation, meetings, talking on the phone, business traveling, company culture in specific countries, applying for a job, advertising, conscious consumerism, specialty areas, and more advanced topics. For students at the A2 through B1 levels, this course will be modified for you.
《Business English - Interview Preparation》
In this course we will learn the essential skills for interviewing, along with important English phrases and American culture related to interviewing. We will learn the four unasked job interview questions you must know for any interview. We will also learn five to 100 of the most common questions interviewers ask and their implicit meanings. YOU WILL be better at interviewing in English and your native language after this course.
《Academic/Professional Writing Skills》
In this course you will learn the essential skills needed for writing an academic/professional essay or performing well on college entrance exams, such as the IELTS or TOEFL. You will learn how to write an argumentative essay, informative essay (research-based, compare/contrast, problem/solution, descriptive, how-to/process), and personal narrative. You will also learn how to write an academic essay according to APA/MLA standards.
《Academic/Professional Paper Editing》
I can edit academic essays and research papers for high school and university students, along with business documents for working professionals.
Read MoreMost importantly, I'm a teacher that will give you a clear goal and plan for success. I also use the most advanced teaching techniques. For example, if your goal is learning about history-social science, you will learn how to develop your skills in this field using scientific inquiry. Also, if your goal is improving your English, you will receive timely feedback based on tasks that simulate practical, real life situations, known as task-based language learning. Furthermore, my curriculums are based on California State Standards and English Language Development Standards for professional learning, teaching, and assessment.
Below are the courses I offer. See lesson syllabi for more details.
《Comprehensive English - Speaking, Listening, Reading, & Writing》
In my Comprehensive English classes you will receive lots of feedback about your current abilities. It is for Beginner-A1/2 students, as well as for Intermediate-B1/2 and Advanced-C1/2 students. It will improve your speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills, along with your fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation abilities. This course is used by many professional language schools based on CEFR standards.
《TOEFL & IELTS Test Preparation》
In my TOEFL & IELTS Test Preparation classes I will teach you the skills you need to know to pass these exams as soon as possible based on your current English level. Our primary focus will be the speaking and/or writing section(s) with simulated tests. Also, you will learn strategies for the listening, reading, speaking, and writing sections. After passing an advanced level Chinese test, I understand what it takes to do well on a language exam that is not in my native language.
《Social Science: History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Cross-Culture Communication Skills, etc.》
Learn about World History, American History & Culture, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Western Philosophy, and/or Cross-Culture Communication Skills with a real Social Science teacher. It is important to be knowledgeable in these topics in order communicate successfully. This knowledge is transferable to business, academia, and daily interaction for those who often communicate with Americans and/or live in America. This class is designed for English language learners.
《Business English - Comprehensive》
This can be a comprehensive business English course or we can modify it to meet a more specific area or industry. This course covers topics such as: office language and everyday tasks, business correspondence, negotiation, meetings, talking on the phone, business traveling, company culture in specific countries, applying for a job, advertising, conscious consumerism, specialty areas, and more advanced topics. For students at the A2 through B1 levels, this course will be modified for you.
《Business English - Interview Preparation》
In this course we will learn the essential skills for interviewing, along with important English phrases and American culture related to interviewing. We will learn the four unasked job interview questions you must know for any interview. We will also learn five to 100 of the most common questions interviewers ask and their implicit meanings. YOU WILL be better at interviewing in English and your native language after this course.
《Academic/Professional Writing Skills》
In this course you will learn the essential skills needed for writing an academic/professional essay or performing well on college entrance exams, such as the IELTS or TOEFL. You will learn how to write an argumentative essay, informative essay (research-based, compare/contrast, problem/solution, descriptive, how-to/process), and personal narrative. You will also learn how to write an academic essay according to APA/MLA standards.
《Academic/Professional Paper Editing》
I can edit academic essays and research papers for high school and university students, along with business documents for working professionals.
Private Lessons
60 minutesTeacher Stats
Within a few hours 
5 years ago 
100.00%265 
25.1 lesson average
5.0 Schedule
Teaching Expertise
Beginner
Upper Beginner
Intermediate
Upper Intermediate
Advanced
Upper Advanced
American English
Résumé
Education
2021
Masters of Arts in Teaching (pending)
University of Massachusetts - Global
Advanced studies in learning theory, instruction, assessment, curriculum design, clinical practice, and action research.
2021 - 2023
Teaching Credential - Social Science with ELA
University of Massachusetts - Global
California teaching credential in Social Science with English Learner Authorization.
2006 - 2009
B.A. Anthropology (Social Science)
University of California, Davis - Davis, USA
Included extensive courses in linguistics and cultural anthropology.
Work Experience
2018
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Many school districts. - Greater Sacramento Area
Long-term substitute teaching at the secondary level for most academic subjects. For example, History-Social Science, Chinese Language & Culture, Earth & Space Science, etc.
2018
Online Social Science & ESL Instructor
Private-Contractor - Global
- Teaching history-social science (e.g., world history, U.S. history, California history, economics, political science, and psychology) and English language development online to students of all age groups and levels, from every corner of the globe. - Preparing students to take English language examinations (e.g., IELTS & TOEFL) and AP exams. - Teaching comprehensive English, business English, writing skills, and professional interview and presentation skills.
2015 - 2017
IED Specialist & ESL Instructor
Jilin Jianzhu University - Changchun, China
- Promoted modern education and taught critical thinking skills, cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills, and history-social science in the ESL learning environment. - Prepared students to take the IELTS and TOEFL examinations and for job interviews and presentations in English. - Translating and copy-editing professional university documents from Chinese to English. - Other responsibilities not listed.
2012 - 2015
IED Specialist & ESL Instructor
Jilin Agricultural University - Changchun, China
- "Certificate for Outstanding Foreign Expert of Jilin Province" awarded by the Department of Education for developing educational curriculum. - Promoted modern education and taught critical thinking skills, cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills, and history-social science in the ESL learning environment. - Prepared students to take the IELTS and TOEFL examinations and for job interviews and presentations in English. - Other responsibilities not listed.
Certifications
2016 - 2016
Chinese Proficiency Test (Advanced Level)
Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China - Changchun, China
Past advanced language test designed for learners who can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, watch Chinese films, and are capable of writing and delivering a lengthy speech in Chinese.
2014 - 2014
Certificate for Outstanding Foreign Experts of Jilin Province
Jilin Province Department of Education - Changchun, China
This certificate for Outstanding Foreign Experts of Jilin Province was awarded in appreciation for Demetrius' contribution to the development of Jilin Province, China.