Tutoring- the right choice for everyone?

I’m sure that lots of teachers have deliberated over the question of whether to start tutoring. For some the answer is clear, for others they need to weigh up the pros and cons of the situation, and not just for themselves, but also for the students they will be working with.

Initially, the first time I agreed to tutor the reason was financial, but I soon decided that the relationship that developed with the individual was different to that with a whole class. On top of that it became intensely satisfying seeing one student improve both academically and in confidence over the time I got to spend with them.

In general terms I would describe individual tutees as falling into two categories. Those who have an identified need and require a certain level of input in order to meet certain academic goals, and those who are ahead of the established ideals and targets and want to be able to bounce ideas off another adult. In both of these settings a tutor can guide learning by using techniques and strategies that work for the individual child. In short, whether it is someone who has slipped behind or someone who has raced ahead a private tutor can be there when a teacher is not, and provide the individual attention necessary for greater success.

Group tutoring can be a more social way for students to interact with each other, and in the case of some language skills provides many helpful learning advantages will still providing students a comfortable environment in which to build confidence and develop the knowledge required to meet personal targets. The collection of different learning experiences, backgrounds and diverse ideas can, and often does, lead to interesting discussions and new points of view being expressed. Small group tutoring can be a great way to start learning a language or to develop and build on previous skills.

From a personal point of view, I know I get many benefits from tutoring, it provides me with an opportunity to continue learning and to ensure my teaching is as appropriate as possible for the students involved. I need to keep my ideas of learning styles and study techniques as up to date as possible. It helps me to develop my communication skills, and provides me with a sense of satisfaction in knowing I have helped someone gain a understanding in a new area. However, much as I love it, I still don’t do it for free!

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Book Club

My first introduction to group reading was in fifth Grade. Once a week we would be grouped in class and given a book to read. The process of reading the entire story took weeks, but at the end of each session there would be discussion time. Through this English class I read Laurie Lee, J.R.R. Tolkien and Jane Austen to name a few. As we read we simply added our opinions and ideas. There were no right answers, and no wrong answers and no essays to write.

When I got to college reading novels and stories was part of the required course and discussions became heated debates full of opinions, ideas and contradictions, but the difference was these all led to grades, they were moderated and modified by lecturers and teachers. The reading wasn’t just for the love of books.

Four years ago I joined a book club organized by a colleague at work. It started with three of us swapping books we had enjoyed over coffee, but quickly grew to include fifteen members, all very different, all very opinionated. Our book list was eclectic, a different person nominated the book each month and included everything from classics to memoirs, comedy, life interest and light hearted beach reads. Meetings were informal with lots of food and the first hour spent discussing anything and everything. Book discussions were sometimes heated, sometimes hilarious, but never dull.

However, the dynamic of the group changed as people came and went, moved job or moved house and last year I also stopped going. Now, I’ve recently joined a new, online book club. Ideas are swapped via message boards and thoughts are posted for others to read. The debate and discussion isn’t as fast paced but it means that the group has both men and women and displays and relies on many different cultural and social reference points.

Most of the recommendations come from other members who post ideas in the forums regarding their favorite books. I’m happy to try reading anything, as long it can be talked about and I can share my thoughts and ideas about the text.

What I would like to do this summer is to organize a book club for English as a second language readers. I would hope to set up a book club for adults who use English as a second language. This would enable people to share ideas and experiences from outside their own initial social circle, develop language skills and wider ideas on literature while making new acquaintances and exploring a whole new world of literature and books.