The Tutoring Session

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The Tutoring Session
By Eva Lam
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Table of Contents

• What is a tutor?.....3
• Introduction....4
• In Other Words..6
• Cultural Differences ....7
• The First Session....8
• Dos..9
• Donts..11

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What is a tutor?
First and foremost

• 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.
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Introduction

• A tutor is more than a source for strengthening
  specific skills, theyre 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.

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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.
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In Other Words
A tutor is here to help the tutee improve.
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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
tutors 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.
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The First Session
Hints Tips on what and what not to do
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Dos

• 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 -
  Re-assure your tutee, focus on the positive notes
  before going into the issues
  that need to be improved upon
• Introduce yourself

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Dos (Cont)

• Pay attention to the tutee
• - Focus your attention on your tutee as best as
  you can. Go over what theyre asking with them if
  necessary to make sure youre 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
  youre meeting your tutee for the first time

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Donts

• 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 whenthey 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 youre twirling between your fingers.

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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.

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Donts (Cont)

• 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
• 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 youre 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 youre giving them the wrong
  signals, especially with students who have
  different cultural backgrounds