Language Rules! English Tutoring

Think of a game that is missing some key pieces or that you don’t know the rules to—it would be very difficult to play—and certainly no fun!

That’s what reading and writing feel like for the students who have come to get help at Amy’s Learning Nest over the past 7 years. It never gets old watching the “game” of English become not only easy for them, but also FUN as they acquire the missing pieces and master the “rules of the game.” I aim for each “graduate” from my tutoring to leave with the attitude that “Language RULES!”

Language Rules! Foundations

THE GOAL

To remove (or even prevent!) struggles with English language and literacy so that your student can soar in their confident ability to read and write—as well as reason, discuss, and express ideas.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Language Rules! Foundations is a 20-lesson individualized tutoring course that provides the foundation a student needs to “play the game” of English. In these 20 interactive, multi-sensory lessons I provide the student all the essential “pieces” and “rules” necessary for basic English literacy. This includes:

  • Penmanship: Both print and cursive handwriting are taught and mastered in these tutoring sessions, because BOTH methods of handwriting are necessary and useful.

  • Phonemic/phonological awareness: Written language is a visual representation of spoken language, but the connection between the spoken and written forms of English are not obvious. So I provide clear explanation and explicit instruction about this to empower the student.

  • Spelling: The core of these tutoring sessions is built around the strong foundation of Romalda Spaulding’s “Spelling to Write and Read” program. (I used this program to teach all my kids how to read and write and spell in the 80’s and 90’s. They are all gifted in communication and I credit this program as a big part of that.) Instead of memorizing lists of spelling words, we follow a systematic process of spelling word dictation where we analyze each word by breaking it down into syllables and sounds, and then applying the rules of English spelling to represent those syllables and sounds on paper. We will work together to build your own learning log that contains your lists of analyzed spelling words and numerous reference pages. We also expand your confidence and experience in reading and writing through systematic activities that build your mastery of these complex skills. This process not only results in a better ability to comprehend what we read and express ourselves in writing, but it also builds the student’s logic and critical thinking skills which they can use and apply in a variety of other subject areas and life skills.

Home Practice Packets will be sent home with the student each week. These packets will take approximately 10 minutes a day to complete.

Whether your child is just starting to learn their ABCs, or they have reached a point where they are struggling with reading, spelling, and writing—these tutoring sessions will give them what they need to find the “game of English” to be something they can—and even love to—play!

LOCATION, COST, & SCHEDULE

I teach Language Rules: Foundations in the learning space in my home in the Beverly Hills area of Huntington, WV. (Please note, we have indoor cats.)

The cost for the course of 20 individualized tutoring sessions is $1284 (includes state and local sales tax). Each session is 90 minutes long.

I only offer this Foundations course August to January every year. The dates for 2025-2026 school year are:

  • First lesson starts the week of August 18, 2025.

  • No lessons the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years.

  • Last lesson is the week of January 19, 2026.

  • Registration deadline: August 8, 2025.

  • Payment due: August 18, 2025

I only have one spot available for the 2025-2026 Language Rules: Foundations course:

  • Thursdays @ 12:30pm - 2:00pm

HOW TO REGISTER:

Before signing up for Language Rules: Foundations, I require a Meet and Greet. This is a free, no obligation chance for you and your child to meet me, the learning space, and the curriculum. It also allows me to evaluate your child and determine if this course is the right fit for them and their needs.

If we both decide this course is the right next step for your child, I’ll ask you to fill in a Registration Form and sign a Parent Agreement.

Payment of the full course cost is due August 18, 2025. (NOTE: I am an approved Hope Scholarship Educational Service Provider. You can find me in the Marketplace by searching “Amy’s Learning Nest.”)

Language Rules: Electives

In the spring, I offer electives in English. These are 90-minute sessions and cost $60 per session (plus state and local taxes). The number of sessions for each elective course will depend on the content/topic. Check back in November 2025, to see what electives I’ll be offering in Spring 2026.

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