Throughout June, Washtenaw Literacy will be providing free training for a whole new group of volunteer tutors. Even though tutors only need to go through the training curriculum once, it is always a good idea to review the training materials to freshen up your tutoring sessions and refocus your mindset. All of Washtenaw Literacy’s training slides are available here on the resource page, but Program Coordinator Neal Steichen is highlighting three coursepacks filled with practical advice and strategies you can start implementing in your tutoring sessions today.
First, ESL tutors should check out the Speaking and Listening Coursepack for a wide assortment of ideas to energize tutoring sessions with their learners. If you’ve ever learned another language, you may relate to the struggle of being proficient at reading and writing it but struggling when it comes to understanding and participating in conversations, and the same is true for learners. Some ESL learners have a good conceptual understanding of English and many of their challenges come from the challenge of applying that knowledge while talking to others. From using pictures and props, role-playing situations, and developing close listening skills, this coursepack is full of strategies to help bridge the gap.
Click here for the Speaking and Listening Coursepack
At several recent Basic Literacy sessions, we’ve seen a number of learners interested in developing their reading comprehension. It can be a challenge for tutors if they are partnering with a learner who seems to read well, but they are having difficulty understanding or remembering what they read. Thankfully, the Reading Comprehension Coursepack is filled with strategies to help outside of basic phonics. Try implementing a pre-reading survey, or incorporating one of many different graphic organizers to review material.
Click here for the Reading Comprehension Coursepack
Whether you primarily tutor in Basic Literacy or ESL sessions, one area that many learners need assistance with is vocabulary. Developing vocabulary is fundamental if any learner is going grow in their English fluency, and some learners might have a negative experience of monotonous practice when it comes to learning new words. This coursepack provides a number of strategies to practice new words, connect related words together, and encourage learners to continue to grow without being intimidating.