Helpful Tutoring Strategies
Lower Order Concerns
What is: easily fixed grammatical, spelling, and syntax errors, when they do not make the entire paper difficult to read?
Beginning appointments with students
What is: being friendly, introducing yourself, getting to know the student, and setting a schedule for discussion topics?
Beginning appointments with students
What is: narky remarks, not setting a schedule, sarcastic comments, not introducing yourself or asking questions about the student?
The act of hurting one's health or become completely exhausted through overwork
What is burnout?
Definition of an ELL
What is an English Language Learner?
Higher Order Concerns
What is: focusing on thesis creation, outlining, organization/structure, soundness of an argument, (optional) credibility of sources?
Resources to ask the student to provide for the meeting
What is: the assignment, the rubric, and any sources they need to incorporate?
Types of words or phrases to avoid using with students
What is: complicated English jargon, expletives, condescending phrases, or "feeding" sentences to be used on papers?
Importance of mental health/awareness
What is: mental health helps in building relationships and connections, being productive and healthy, allowing students to feel confident and capable, and being aware of signs of mental illness?
Vocabulary/phrasing that may be helpful for ELL students
What is: simplified (but not condescending), usually less academic, avoid English jargon?
Helpful strategies to help students taking in-person exams
What is: directing students to the Reading Center (for study help), deep breath exercises, share encouragements, validate and discuss their concerns, provide emotional and academic support in studying?
Questions that can be asked to gauge comprehension
What is: "How does that sound?" "What questions do you have about this?" "What are your thoughts?"
Questions that should not be asked to gauge comprehension
What is: "Does that make sense"; "Do you get it?"; "Can you understand that?"
Signs of burn out
What is: loss of motivation, irritability, reduced productivity, feelings of hopelessness or apathy, exhaustion, isolation, and wanting to give up?
The name of the on campus resource that ELL students can use for specialized assistanceWhat is the English Transitional Center?
What is the English Transitional Center?
Tactics to deescalate difficult tutoring situations
What is: remaining calm, being kind but assertive, suggesting the student take a break, reevaluating the student's ability to be tutored, and talking to a supervisor?
Ending appointments with students
What is: thanking them for their time, giving them resources, sending them an email, submitting a report, and clocking out if you are finished working?
Ending appointments with students
What is: closing the meeting abruptly, not submitting reports, staying clocked in while not working, and not sending any resources with students?
Tactics to assist students and tutors with burnout
What is: being encouraging, referring them to mental health resources, encouraging them to take breaks to rest and exercise, to eat healthy and filling foods, to reach out to friends, roommates, or loved ones, to reevaluate priorities and time, and to use time wisely?
Effective ELL tutoring strategies
What is: visualizing/drawing out tricky concepts, showing respect, making connections to past learning, and assessing comprehension of assignment instructions?
Strategies for tutors during finals
What is: setting appointments realistically, taking breaks to eat, drink, and stretch between sessions, balancing personal life/work/school, staying on top of appointments, being optimistic, and praying for strength! (?)
Resources to give during and after live, online, or email appointments (name one and in which situation you would use it!)
What is: BYU-I Writing Center paper and online resources (name one), direct them to schedule another appointment, and sources such as OWL Purdue, MLA or APA websites?
Discussion topics and attitudes to avoid during a session
What is: flirting, yelling, acting unprofessionally or in a way that may make the student uncomfortable, gossiping, badmouthing others, providing overt personal or political opinions?
Resources for both tutors and students to use for their mental health
What is: BYU-Idaho Counseling Center and Mental Health Resources, Therapy Assistance Online (TAO library), and free campus workshops?
Topics to focus on RATHER than every single grammatical or spelling error
What is: higher order concerns, essay construction and organization, source incorporation, assignment comprehension, and grammatically incorrect patterns?