The Tutoring Book - California State University, Sacramento
The Tutoring Book - California State University, Sacramento
The Tutoring Book - California State University, Sacramento
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<strong>Tutoring</strong> Process<br />
What is the one piece of advice you would like to pass on to a new tutor in next semester's class?<br />
• “I guess one thing I would tell an incoming tutor is: be creative. This may sound like a vague<br />
piece of advice but I think there's something to it. <strong>The</strong>re have been times that, as I worked with a<br />
student writer I could tell that the point I was going for wasn't getting through. So, I would tell<br />
new tutors to (1) be willing to check-in with students for comprehension and whether they<br />
understand what you're saying, and (2) be willing to try different approaches to get through to a<br />
student” (Anglesey).<br />
• “Be consistent with your long term students. Of course, every session will be different, and the<br />
paper's will all require a unique approach. However, by focusing in on one or two specific areas,<br />
e.g. structure, incorporating quotes, etc., you'll achieve a long-term impact on the student's<br />
writing capability” (Kronzer).<br />
• “My advice, especially for someone who's never tutored before, is that you will get the hang of it.<br />
Applying the ideas you learn in class actually pays off and makes you a better tutor. You are<br />
learning just as much in any session as the person you're tutoring” (Parker).<br />
Collaboration<br />
What is the one piece of advice you would like to pass on to a new tutor in next semester's class?<br />
• “Become a part of the Writing Center. Hang out in the lounge, get to know your peers, immerse<br />
yourself in the experience. Eat lunch in the break room and do your homework in the lounge... the<br />
more time you spend in and around the Writing Center, the more you will become a part of it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> more you become a part of this community, the more support you'll receive, the more you'll<br />
be able to share your experiences to help others, the more you will grow as a tutor” (Perkins).<br />
“I don't know. I've learned many ideas from fellow tutors that it's hard to decipher one idea from another<br />
with the advice given. So I guess the best advice would be to listen to fellow tutors, and always be willing<br />
to seek advice as much as you give it” (Ross).<br />
General Advice Concerning Tutees<br />
What is the one piece of advice you would like to pass on to a new tutor in next semester's class?<br />
• “Don’t panic when you don’t understand what the tutee’s paper is about on the first read. Relax!<br />
It can be difficult to understand what a struggling writer is trying to say when there are so many<br />
grammar and punctuation errors in the way. This is when minimalist tutoring skills come in<br />
handy. Stop reading those convoluted sentences, and start asking questions. Encourage the writer<br />
to tell you what the paper is about. With patience, there will almost always be an “ah ha” moment<br />
when you and the writer connect” (Kincaid).<br />
• “<strong>The</strong> one thing I would want to tell a tutee is that one helpful dictum for not being too directive is<br />
that it's ok to direct a tutee's attention, but it's not ok to direct their actions. By all means, tell<br />
them clearly and unequivocally that there's a serious problem (whatever it might be) if it's<br />
absolutely necessary, but DON'T give them the solution” (Louie).<br />
• “Whether older, younger, different curriculum, or learning disability treat them like a peer you<br />
want to get to know. <strong>The</strong>y will appreciate you for it and conversations will become a great<br />
student to student professional advice conversation during free time” (Nicolas).<br />
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