The Tutoring Session
By: Eva Lam
Table of Contents
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What is a tutor?………..………………………………...3
Introduction..…………………………………………..4
In Other Words………………………………………………..6
Cultural Differences ……….….……………………..7
The First Session..………………………………..8
Do’s……………………………………………………………..9
Don’ts……………………………………………..11
First and foremost…
What is a tutor?
According to dictionary.com, a tutor is defined as:
• 1. One who gives private instruction
• 2. A private instructor
• 3. One who gives additional, special, or remedial instruction
Specifically, an English tutor helps a tutee to improve on their
writing skills, in areas that range from grammar to self
confidence.
Introduction
A tutor is more than a source for strengthening specific
skills, they’re also here for guidance, a boost in self
confidence, and of course to support their respective tutees.
Though tutors are often initially seen as intimidating
superior figure heads, they often become something with
much more meaning to their tutees - a friend. Tutors and
tutees generally form closer, more trusting relationships
when the two see each other more as peers than a teacher pupil relationship. They must simply identify each others
weaknesses and strengths to realize both parties excel in
their own respective fields. It is that mutual respect that
builds a successful tutor-tutee relationship.
Tutees are often not the only one aiming to gain something
from a tutoring sessions; the tutor often learns more about
themselves. For example, the might learn better ways to
interact with their tutees as the sessions progress, and more
than likely about cultures different from their own. As long as
both parties are able to see that the experience can be
beneficial, then a sense of trust can be established from the
very beginning, allowing a beautiful tutor-tutee relationship to
form.
In Other Words…
A tutor is here to help the tutee improve.
Cultural Differences
only one
You are
not the
Tutors encounter many different types of people with various cultural
backgrounds, which may affect their way of writing. Understanding this
part of the tutee will enhance the English tutor’s ability to comprehend
why their tutee is writing a certain way, and in affect, will make the
tutoring session easier for both tutor and tutee.
The First Session
Hints & Tips on what and what not to do
Do’s…
• Sit side by side / an adjacent sides of a table
-Make sure both you and your tutee are seated comfortably while being able to
communicate without straining your voice.
• Appear confident and knowledgeable
- Present yourself firmly yet friendly, speak clearly and enunciate.
• Give consistent & positive feedback
issues
- Re-assure your tutee, focus on the positive notes before going into the
that need to be improved upon
• Introduce yourself
Do’s… (Con’t)
• Pay attention to the tutee
- Focus your attention on your tutee as best as you can. Go over what
they’re asking with them if necessary to make sure you’re both on the
same page
• Get to know the tutee (especially
culturally)
- Because of potential vast cultural differences, establishing a solid base with
a little background information from both tutee and tutor may be extremely
beneficial
• Smile
- A smile can go a long way, especially when you’re meeting your tutee for
the first time
Don’ts
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•
Have an impatient tone of voice
– Rushing your tutee will only have negative impacts. Putting on an
impatient attitude can potentially make your tutee nervous, angry, or even
become hopeless about future sessions
Check the time too often
– Showing signs of being impatient or giving the impression that you have
some place better to be may ruin your tutees desire to learn
•
Avoid eye contact
– Eye contact lets your tutee know that s/he is your main focus;
this thought is essential to many people, especially when
they are trying to learn from you
•
Fidget
– Though this may simply be out of habit, it may focus your tutees’
attention elsewhere such as the pencil you’re twirling between
your fingers.
And finally…
Tutoring can be an
excellent experience
if one decides to
pursue it. When
done correctly,
tutoring can be
rewarding in more
ways than one.
Don’ts – (Con’t)
•
Talk fast or unclear
– Pronouncing each word carefully is essential; some students may be too
shy to ask you to repeat yourself. This is especially important in English
tutoring sessions
•
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Appear nervous or lost
– Many students rely on their tutors’ appearance as the main way to read
their tutors’ mindset, or personality. Appearing nervous for the first session
could be a sign that you’re new at the game, leaving the tutee with
possible doubt
Be late to the session
– Many times, the student will need to make the most of their available time,
being consistently late is also a sign of irresponsibility
•
Appear clueless
– Even as a joke, your tutee may misunderstand your intentions if you’re
giving them the wrong signals, especially with students who have different
cultural backgrounds