What is your teaching philosophy?

The best way to learn is to learn by doing! Memorizing a language isn't going to be as helpful as learning it in a way that feels natural to you.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

I'd want to get a feel for their experience and comfort-ability with the language, so I'd have them practice a few writing, reading, and speaking exercises.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

By making it interesting for them from the very start.