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Useful tips from a Writer and a Teacher--Prof. Eric Roth
How
do you effectively teach English to a struggling private student? What
will you actually do for 60-120 minutes together? How will you make the
lessons meaningful enough that your client feels satisfied and wants to
retain you for future lessons?
First, you must be very clear
about what the client wants and expects. Some tutors even present a
written contract outlining their rates, the location and times of
meetings, and payment policies. Only work with professionals,
graduate students, and/or friends and spouses of friends with a solid
foundation in English. Be explicit about what you want and don't want
to teach a client. Be prepared to provide options for potential clients
that you reject.
For students who want to improve their
conversation, It is suggested that you select the topic and
materials in advance. You can use newspapers, books and/or magazines to find
appropriate articles to begin the conversation. You can browse the highly recommended books from here: http://www.compellingconversations.com/ that provides 45 self-contained
thematic chapters - is Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics. The combination of poignant questions, vocabulary lists, proverbs, and witty quotations makes your job much easier.
If
you
have a weaker student looking to improve their speaking skills, Prof.
Roth advise to use a picture dictionary. You might use the Oxford
Picture Dictionary to open
conversations, and he added that he would be tempted to ask the client
to bring in
photographs and ads each week. You will need patience and be prepared
to repeat words. Many students will want to work on their
pronunciation. You can also ask/assign them listening activities on the
web.You will have to direct lower
levels to websites to practice their listening and speaking skills with
drills. They will love the work; you might go mad repeating vowel
sounds.
Finally, Prof. Roth said, the key for tutoring
ESL students - or anyone else - remains respecting the student, meeting
their needs, and providing a solid structure for your lessons. Using a set text, developing a known routine, and combining
conversation, vocabulary and writing skills makes for a successful and
satisfying experience. Set a clear goal for your lessons, and
conclude when the students have reached that goal. You can then become
genuine friends and leave money out of the equation.
Or not. You choose. What are your goals for tutoring students?
_______________
Eric Roth currently teaches writing and verbal skills to international
graduate students at the University of Southern California. Eric has
helped university students discover the pleasures and perils of the
English language from dozens of countries over the last 15 years. He
recently co-authored an EFL book titled "Compelling Conversations:
Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics" from materials he
developed as a tutor and teacher. Eric can be reached through http://www.compellingconversations.com
How
do you effectively teach English to a struggling private student? What
will you actually do for 60-120 minutes together? How will you make the
lessons meaningful enough that your client feels satisfied and wants to
retain you for future lessons?
First, you must be very clear
about what the client wants and expects. Some tutors even present a
written contract outlining their rates, the location and times of
meetings, and payment policies. Only work with professionals,
graduate students, and/or friends and spouses of friends with a solid
foundation in English. Be explicit about what you want and don't want
to teach a client. Be prepared to provide options for potential clients
that you reject.
For students who want to improve their
conversation, It is suggested that you select the topic and
materials in advance. You can use newspapers, books and/or magazines to find
appropriate articles to begin the conversation. You can browse the highly recommended books from here: http://www.compellingconversations.com/ that provides 45 self-contained
thematic chapters - is Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics. The combination of poignant questions, vocabulary lists, proverbs, and witty quotations makes your job much easier.
If
you
have a weaker student looking to improve their speaking skills, Prof.
Roth advise to use a picture dictionary. You might use the Oxford
Picture Dictionary to open
conversations, and he added that he would be tempted to ask the client
to bring in
photographs and ads each week. You will need patience and be prepared
to repeat words. Many students will want to work on their
pronunciation. You can also ask/assign them listening activities on the
web.You will have to direct lower
levels to websites to practice their listening and speaking skills with
drills. They will love the work; you might go mad repeating vowel
sounds.
Finally, Prof. Roth said, the key for tutoring
ESL students - or anyone else - remains respecting the student, meeting
their needs, and providing a solid structure for your lessons. Using a set text, developing a known routine, and combining
conversation, vocabulary and writing skills makes for a successful and
satisfying experience. Set a clear goal for your lessons, and
conclude when the students have reached that goal. You can then become
genuine friends and leave money out of the equation.
Or not. You choose. What are your goals for tutoring students?
_______________
Eric Roth currently teaches writing and verbal skills to international
graduate students at the University of Southern California. Eric has
helped university students discover the pleasures and perils of the
English language from dozens of countries over the last 15 years. He
recently co-authored an EFL book titled "Compelling Conversations:
Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics" from materials he
developed as a tutor and teacher. Eric can be reached through http://www.compellingconversations.com
