Meet Our Language Tutors
See photos and bios of all our language tutors below!
Language Tutors are here to support all modern and ancient languages offered at Bates, including Latin, Ancient Greek, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, German, and French. We try to have both language-learner tutors (meaning they are not typically native speakers and have studied the language as a student at Bates) and, where applicable, native speaker tutors. Our Language Tutors can help students with vocabulary, grammar, and translation questions. They also have experience in organizing notes or studying before a presentation, quiz or exam, or can assist you with speaking and writing practice!
Language Tutors will introduce themselves in the classes they support at the beginning of each semester, but may be able to help support classes at other levels, too. Drop by and see a Language Tutor anytime the SWLC is open–or search Penji to find and book an appointment with the best tutor for your needs and let them know what you would like to work on. All Language Tutors provide an empathetic and non-judgmental, collaborative environment that is centered around your questions and goals.
In SWLC, we also seek to foster and promote the use of diverse languages at Bates while also providing support in English to improve academic writing and speaking skills. Our Language Tutors are trained in foundational approaches to support English Language Learners and multilingual speakers. If possible, we can arrange a one-time appointment–or regular weekly appointments–with a tutor who is also fluent in your first language. Please email swlc@bates.edu to get set up with a specific tutor for your English language learning needs!
If you are interested in becoming a Language Tutor and working for SWLC, please visit this page for information about hiring, training, and employment.
Chinese Language Tutors
Ilyas Bashir ’25 (he/him)
Hi, I’m Ilyas Bashir (He/Him) and I’m a senior double majoring in Chinese and Anthropology with a minor in Asian Studies! I’m a first-generation Somali from Lewiston, Maine. What I love about tutoring in the SWLC is building new and long-lasting friendships with the Bates Community! I have taken Chinese language courses since I was a freshman in high school and I will be able to help those who are studying beginning and intermediate Chinese courses here at Bates. Outside of the academic sphere, I am an amateur boxer who enjoys watching TV and reading manga! I hope to bring an efficient, relaxed, and fun environment to the SWLC!
Kyra Wang ’25 (she/her)
Hi people! My name is Kyra Wang and I am a Chinese language tutor. I am from Beijing, China, but I also speak Japanese, English, and a little bit of Cantonese. I am a Biology major with a concentration in Japanese. I really like soccer and badminton, and I like watching movies and shows when I have free time. I am looking forward to meeting you!
French Language Tutors
Tatum Holley ’25 (she/her)
I’m Tatum, a French language tutor from Bedford, MA in my senior year! I am a psychology major at Bates and decided to add a French and Francophone Studies minor last year. This is my second year working at the SWLC, and I’m excited to be back helping you with French grammar, writing, conversation, or whatever you need! I value patience and compassion and understand that learning a new language can be challenging. I look forward to meeting you and helping you make your French experience at Bates as positive and fulfilling as possible!
Elvira Ishimwe ’25 (she/her)
My name is Elvira (she/her) from Burundi. I am a senior majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Physics and DCS with a French Concentration. In my spare time, I enjoy reading fiction books and listening to music. I have been learning French throughout primary school, middle and high school but would speak my mother tongue at home. I understand learning another language can be challenging and I hope we will be able to learn from each other. See you all in the PLC.
Francesca White ’25 (she/her)
Hi everyone! My name is Francesca and I am a French Language Tutor for the SWLC. I’m currently a senior, double-majoring in American Studies and French & Francophone Studies. I am from New York City, and I have the privilege of speaking Italian and French fluently. I can also read and write in Latin. When I’m not drowning in schoolwork, you’ll probably find me enjoying a bit too much coffee or indulging in some guilty-pleasure reality TV. This is my second year as a French language tutor, and I can’t wait to practice French with all of you!
German Language Tutor
Willa Wang ’25 (she/her)
Es ist schön dich zu sehen! My name is Willa Wang (she/her). I’m currently a senior and major in German, History, and Philosophy. I’m born and raised in Beijing, China. I’m excited to join SWLC this year and learn German with you! I also speak Chinese as my first language and am learning Turkish and Latin. I began my German learning journey at Bates by taking GER101 because of my interest in German philosophy and spent spring 2024 at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. My favourite writers in German-speaking world are Hermann Hesse and Yoko Tawada. Please don’t hesitate to stop by SWLC and chat with me by starting with “wie geht es dir.” Practice makes perfect! I look forward to meeting you on ground floor of Ladd!
Greek Language Tutor
George Miller ’25 (he/him)
Hello, I’m George Miller, a senior from Savannah, GA. This is my second year in the SWLC. I am majoring in History and Classical and Medieval Studies and minoring in Russian. This academic year, I will be a Tutor for Ancient Greek. I speak and read six different languages and have experience in learning both modern and dead languages. I hope to help students in Greek by providing strategies that help them understand dead languages better. This year, my thesis will be investigating the Coptic Church and sense of identity between the 3rd and 14th centuries, reading texts in Greek and Coptic to better understand how people in the Coptic Church viewed themselves during the global Middle Ages.
Japanese Language Tutors
Jaewoo Kim ’25 (he/him)
Hello, my name is Jaewoo Kim and I am a senior from the Bay Area. I am majoring in Sociology and minoring in Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies with a concentration in Japanese. The main languages I speak are English and Korean, but I have been studying Japanese for six years. Some of my hobbies include dancing, swimming, and making videos. This is my second year working with the SWLC as a Japanese language tutor. I firmly believe that patience, empathy, and collaboration are key values to succeed while tutoring. Every student has a different way of learning, so I want to be someone who can accommodate all learning styles. I am really looking forward to meeting new Japanese learners. Please do not hesitate to reach out!
Jangmin Song ’25 (he/him)
Hi! My name is Jangmin Song (he/him), and I am a senior from Tokyo, Japan. I am mathematics major with DCS and Chinese minors. I studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary last Fall. I am a Japanese Language Tutor this year! I love playing sports, reading books and chatting with friends! I am excited to meet all of you!
Latin Language Tutor
Evan Boxer-Cook ’26 (he/him)
Salve! My name is Evan Boxer-Cook (he/him), and I’m from Scarborough, Maine. I’m majoring in Classical & Medieval Studies, minoring in Anthropology, and have a particular fascination with astronomical history and the development of time-measurement. It’s my first year with the SWLC, and as your Latin language tutor, I’m committed to helping you find your personal rhythm, collaborating with you to explore familiar and unfamiliar concepts from multiple angles, and passing along the tips and mnemonic tricks I’ve picked up along my own Latin-learning journey.
Russian Language Tutor
Tamara Dudko ’27 (she/her)
Hello everyone! My name is Tamara (she/her), and I am a sophomore from Kyiv, Ukraine. I am pursuing a Biochemistry major and a minor in German. My non-academic interests are photography, hiking, and painting. I also LOVE traveling and listening to many-many types of music. After graduation, I hope to attend med school or pursue a PhD in Biochemistry. I speak English, Ukrainian, and Russian and am currently at Intermediate levels in German and Italian. The most exciting part about tutoring for me is seeing people succeed and enjoy what they are learning (brings me so much joy to see that!!!). I look forward to meeting you all!
Spanish Language Tutors
Ben Auerbach ’25 (he/him)
Hello! My name is Benjamin Auerbach (He/Him) from Marin County California. I go by Ben and this will be my second year working as a writing tutor at Bates. My goal is to help you work through any struggles as much as I can and make you feel welcome at the PLC. I am a hispanic studies major but I am also hoping to go to medical school after I graduate from Bates. If you want to talk about how bad the SF Giants are or how good the Niners are I’m more than willing.
Eleanor Lynch ’25 (she/her)
My name is Eleanor Lynch (she/her) and I’m a neuroscience major and hispanic studies minor from Westchester, New York. I’m a senior and this will be my third year working as a Spanish tutor in SWLC. I like running while listening to reggaeton, table hopping in Commons, talking about one of my dogs more than the other, and black cherry Polar seltzer. After doing a summer language immersion program and going abroad for a semester in a Spanish speaking country, I can confidently say my Spanish has improved tenfold. On my journey to fluency I will be learning right alongside with you. I’m an eager and patient tutor. I will happily give you song recommendations in Spanish of all genres. I’m looking forward to connecting with native and non-native Spanish speakers this year in SWLC and throughout campus!
Gerard Costa Farre ’25 (he/him)
Hello. My name is Gerard and I am from Barcelona, Spain. I am an Economics major, History minor and German concentration. I am also part of the Bates men’s soccer team. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing soccer and most of all, watching and supporting my beloved FC Barcelona. This semester will be my first semester of tutoring Spanish, I look forward to working with you this semester.
Elizabeth Gallegos Rodriguez ’26
My name is Elizabeth Gallegos Rodriguez (she/her) and I am a sociology major with a concentration in Law & Society, and an educational studies minor. I am a junior from Denver, Colorado. This is my first year working in SWLC, and I tutor Spanish. I am a native Spanish speaker and enjoy supporting friends as they develop their skills, so I am looking forward to work with Batesies! When I’m not tutoring I can be found baking treats:)
