PFAU - Your Academic , Writing and Coaching Experts

SERVICES

Academic support

Subject-specific tutoring for courses in the social sciences and humanities, such as: English, History, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Philosophy, Film Studies, Media Studies, International Development, East Asian Studies, etc. Academic editing of publications, dissertations, and grant applications in all subjects.

Application support

Application support for high school students applying to post-secondary school, post-secondary students applying for graduate and professional programs, and finally resume, cover letter, and interview support as students enter the workforce. Exam preparation for standardized exams required to enter post-secondary programs,

Professional development

VIP Writing Instruction for clients who wish to improve their written communication at school or at work, as well as expand their literary and cultural understanding and knowledge. These services are geared towards both ESL clients and native speakers, depending on one’s needs and goals. Small Writing Classes in creative

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I Want To Learn More Now!

Michelle, B.A., University of Toronto (Mississauga)

I was a new university student who was desperate to maintain a full time status in order to maintain a scholarship, so I enrolled in International Relations (IR) at the advice of my Academic Advisor. I was lost the very first day. Finally, my TA suggested I find a tutor.

Right from the start, I was impressed with Lisa Pfau’s professionalism and knowledge. Lisa helped me understand International Relations in a way that the Professor could not explain – with a sense of humor! She was able to explain International Relations at a level that sparked my interests as a Canadian Army Reservist. I became passionate about territorial disputes over Canada’s North, and with Lisa’s help, wrote a policy brief on the topic. At the end of the term, my TA took me aside to tell me how much she enjoyed reading my paper, and that out of 200 students she considered me the MOST IMPROVED! I was almost in tears! I was very happy with overall course grade and I owe it all to Lisa!

Hiring Lisa Pfau was the best decision and investment I have ever made. She really cared about my well-being and always maintained continuous contact and provided helpful recommendations. I was once scared of political science; however, after Lisa’s lessons I’m looking forward to enrolling in another Political Science course next year.

Rachel, 英文学生, 辽宁大学学士

Application Support

为了复习德国留学APS审核考试，我与LISA与2011年5月展开为其一个月的学习。LISA作为我的助教在这期间给与我很大的帮助，

我概述为三点与其它外教不同的优点。一，LISA会说中文，可以减少在交流中遇到的一些语言障碍。

二，LISA本人学识渊博，所以在学习过程中还可以从她那里学到很多相关的知识。三，LISA是个特别认真负责的人，

她会在普通的交谈之中及时的纠正一些发音错误或者文法错误，而且她会一直想办法鼓励学生。

所以，对于中国学生尤其是语言能力没有炉火纯青的这一部分，选择LISA做外教绝对是高性价比的明智选择。

Angel, B.A. (Political Science & Media Studies), University of Toronto

I would definitely recommend Lisa as a tutor! She cares about her students very much and is very patient and tolerant about various questions. During the lessons, she understands my meaning and ideas right away despite me having a hard time explaining myself. In addition, she is willing to share her resources when students need them, and they are not just academic resources. For instance, I mentioned to her that I was interested in going to Law School, so she immediately recommended a list of lawyer friends to me and arranged for me to do a number of informational interviews. She not only helps with my academic study, but also provides me with resources to help me to be better prepared for adult life. I had a really good time with Lisa, and I will continue let work with Lisa next year.

Gu Zhen, Wintell Software, China

Professional Development

做为一个定居日本10年之久的中国人，我深知在异国他乡的沟通，最具挑战的不是语言而是文化。我结识Pfau女士是在中国大连，担任公司的异文化沟通讲师。

在她专业，风趣的教学中，公司员工的英语水平和对异文化的理解都有很大的提高。

Pfau女士流利的中文也很好的弥补了公司员工有限的英语水平。

需要特别指出的是，Pfau女士不仅教授词汇和语法，而且可以讲解文化背景。

鉴于Pfau女士有语言和文化两方面的教育能力，在她回到北美之后，我仍然通过互联网继续每周一次的课程。通过持续的学习，

我的英语水平，特别是听力，口语，词汇以及适当的表达有了很大提高。现在，如果有用英语会话的机会，我会很自然的用英语对答。

Arm Tungnirun, LL.M. Harvard Law School Graduate & Professor of Law in Bangkok, Thailand

I have had the pleasure of knowing Lisa since 2004, when we were classmates at Peking University. She has always been a helpful friend and teacher. After leaving China, she helped me with my successful application to the summer school of the London School of Economics. Several years later, when I applied for an LL.M. program in the United States, Lisa read through my application materials and personal statement and gave me invaluable feedback. Her suggestions on content were professional, honest and straightforward. It was a tremendous help and allowed me to reshape my statement into a more persuasive and effective one. Lisa has provided special help related to the use of the English language, including editing my writing and providing comments on my choices of words and style. I will always be grateful to have her as my research and writing advisor. She has done this job better than anyone I have known so far, due to her deep understanding of the application process and writing requirement of American universities.

Emma D., B.A., University of Western Ontario (Communications & Media)

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I would highly recommend Lisa to anyone looking for assistance with graduate school applications! Lisa helped me tremendously with my essays, resumes, and cover letters, and also provided insightful advice regarding how to approach alumni, recruiters, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Lisa as she is extremely personable, easy to approach, and genuinely cares about her students! I am happy to say I got accepted to my top Business School of choice because of her help! I am confident she can help other students get into their top graduate school as well.

latest news

PFAU UPDATES & RESOURCES

The Art of Networking: Interview with Robert Braathe

By Pfau2018

June 4, 2022

858

We chatted with Robert Braathe about the art of networking. We thought this topic would be helpful to students who have recently graduated and are working on finding […]

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The Art of Networking: Podcast Episode Live!

By Pfau2018

May 6, 2022

927

This week’s episode is about the art of networking. We thought this topic would be helpful to students who have recently graduated and are working on finding their first […]

Pregnant Podcast Pause

By Pfau2018

February 11, 2022

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Due to several events in podcast world around censorship vs hate speech, as well as, recent COVID-related protests, we have decide to sit back and consider our intentions around […]

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Jemimah Amos (Sociology)

Academic Editor & Coach Jemimah Amos is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Windsor. She completed her MA in Sociology in 2019 from the University of Windsor and began her PhD journey in September of the same year. Her academic and research interests include migration, race and ethnicity, feminism, and qualitative methodologies. Her PhD dissertation focuses on the encounters of African immigrant women with the labour market in Canada. She adopts an approach that reiterates the intersectionality of race, gender, and class. Jemimah is working with a research team to develop an online course that will teach students how to effectively intervene when they witness an act of anti-racism. She is an academic tutor and graduate assistant in the department of Sociology at the University of Windsor working closely with students to improve their understanding of course materials, assignments delivery, and essay writing. Her ideology of teaching involves providing students with the tools and resources for self-development. She encourages critical thinking. Moving to Canada in 2017 from Lagos Nigeria, Jemimah enjoys reading, travelling, brainstorming, and watching movies.

Natalia Hunter (English)

Academic Editor & Coach Natalia Hunter recently graduated with an MA in English from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she also completed her BA in English with a minor in Medieval Studies. While pursuing graduate studies, Natalia was a teaching assistant for the Laurier English department, leading weekly tutorial groups and working closely with students to assist with their understanding of the course material and help with their essay writing and critical thinking skills. Born in Surrey, England, Natalia has travelled across several countries in Europe, including France, Spain, and Italy, and enjoyed trips to British Columbia and Alberta before moving to Ontario in 2014. Natalia has a deep appreciation for storytelling and the art of writing, and specializes in helping students with English Literature, Film Studies, and History, with a focus on improving essay structure, clarity, and language choice. Outside of work, Natalia enjoys tackling her ever-growing reading list, listening to podcasts on long walks, and discovering new books, shows, and films to analyze and discuss with friends.

Amanda Christie (Gender Studies)

Academic Editor & Coach Amanda Christie comes from a family of teachers and professors, and graduated with a BAH in Global Development Studies and Gender Studies from Queen's University in 2012. Since then she has worked on research projects with the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Newcomer Women's Services, and Singing Out. She also coordinated a youth drop-in centre for several years, which allowed her to present at several conferences throughout Ontario. Amanda has worked with youth and adults, editing essays and assignments, polishing university applications, and assisting with English language skills. From a small town in Ontario, Amanda has enjoyed travelling from a young age, having been throughout Canada and the United States, spending time in the UK and France, visiting Turkey and Morocco, and participating in an exchange trip with the Mushuau Innu First Nation in Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador. The place she's enjoyed living in the most was Cape Breton Island. When she isn't working or volunteering, Amanda enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and playing board games.

Yiwei Jin (Political Science & Law)

Writing & Grad School Admissions Coach Yiwei Jin recently graduated with an MA in Political Science from the University of Toronto, specializing in Asian studies and comparative politics. His graduate research involved original field research in Taiwan funded through a grant competition. Since then he has published research on the Taiwan Gazette and presented his findings at UofT’s Asian Institute and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. He is currently working for the Law and Design CoLab, a nonprofit focused on amplifying the efforts of legal advocacy through design methods, as well as interning at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. He will be starting Law School at the University of Toronto in Fall 2020. Born in Guangzhou, China, Yiwei is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean, in addition to English. Before attending graduate school, he wrote for a magazine in China and taught English in South Korea. He loves helping people get ahead and cares a great deal about his students. His teaching style revolves around identifying issue areas and building capacity, whether it is in writing skills, research know-how, analytical reasoning, or subject-specific understanding. Outside of academic work, Yiwei enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and wandering down interesting paths outside.

Daina Sparling (Editor)

Academic Editor

Lisa Pfau

CEO, Founder, and Senior Coach Lisa grew up in rural Alberta, Canada debating politics with her father, writing articles for the school newspaper, and running the students’ council. Determined to make a difference in the world, she headed off to the University of Alberta to study Political Science and History. Over the course of her degree, she became progressively interested in China and eventually traveled abroad in 2004 to teach English and study Chinese. This time abroad opened her eyes to her passion and talent for teaching others. She returned to Canada to pursue her Master of Arts at the University of Toronto, where she assisted Professors in teaching Political Science courses and continued to tutor students on the side, not only in the Social Sciences and Humanities, but her true passions – writing and critical thinking. After graduating in 2007, she worked in public policy and research, including: as a political intern at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing and a Research Coordinator at the University of Toronto. These experiences provided Lisa with the knowledge and networks to help her clients transition from academic to professional life. She published her first short story in 2010 and currently enjoys teaching Creative Writing and Research Essay Writing courses and workshops at PFAU: Academic Writing and upon invitation to other educational institutions, such as the University of Toronto. Over the past 15 years, she has mentored over 100 clients in reading/writing fundamentals, critical thinking, research proficiency, organizational skills, and academic/career goal setting, as well as, research papers, scholarship proposals, and grad/professional school applications. Finally, she has edited numerous graduate theses, dissertations, and publications in all fields - from engineering to literature. Lisa enjoys the continuous learning and refinement involved in the writing process. Mostly though, she enjoys connecting with her students, and helping them to reach their full potential on the page, and in life.