Tutor Spotlight: Cheng Qin

 

This month, we’re proud to shine our Tutor Spotlight on Cheng Qin, a dedicated volunteer with Literacy Buffalo Niagara for over four years.

Specializing in working with advanced English language learners, Chang brings both compassion and precision to his tutoring, helping students fine-tune their speaking skills — a challenge that’s often underestimated. His thoughtful, individualized approach ensures that each lesson aligns with his learners’ unique goals, empowering them to communicate with greater confidence and fluency.

“I believe students do best when they are intrinsically motivated. A list of vocabulary to memorize can feel tedious, so I try to adapt my lessons based on their interests outside of the classroom.”

What inspired you to volunteer for LBN?

I am an immigrant to the United States myself, who arrived without speaking much English. I owe much of my progress and accomplishments to the wonderful teachers and mentors in the Buffalo community. Based on experience, I understand that lack of English literacy posed a huge barrier for many immigrants. Thus, LBN was the perfect opportunity for me to give back to the same community that was so welcoming towards me when I first arrived.

What has been the biggest surprise about being a volunteer tutor?

The biggest surprise is how much I learned from my students. Being exposed to people of different cultural backgrounds has broadened my perspective. Additionally, the creativity and tenacity of my students are a constant source of inspiration for me and deepened my appreciation of the resilience it takes to build a life in a new country.

Will you share a success story that you are proud of?

I am particularly proud of seeing the progress my students make over time. In the beginning, introducing themselves and holding basic conversations might be overwhelming. But with time and patient practice, I witnessed their confidence grow week by week. A student of mine, for example, progressed from a novice speaker to passing a few GRE subject exams — a huge transformation.

What important lessons have you learned as a tutor?

Every student has their own preferences and the ways that they learn best. It is important for tutors to be flexible and adapt to the needs of their students during lesson planning.

Do you have any tips for other tutors?

Tutors should recognize that learning a new language is often a difficult and sometimes frustrating endeavor for students. It is very important to have universal positive regard for your students and encourage them to overcome their obstacles.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I am an avid reader, and I enjoy hiking.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I believe students do best when they are intrinsically motivated. A list of vocabulary or grammatical rules to memorize can feel tedious, so I try to adapt my lessons based on their interests outside of the classroom.

A past student of mine, for example, particularly enjoyed reading biographies and self-improvement books in his own language. Together, we found a book in English that fit his interests and read it together, using his genuine interest as a way to build vocabulary and strengthen his understanding of grammar.