ESL Tutor Training Options

                                          

Thank you once again for volunteering your time with Erie Neighborhood House!

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Illinois Secretary of State

• We only require that you read lessons 3,4, 6-8, and 10-13. Please answer the questions and reflective activities for lessons 10 & 13 below.

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Illinois Secretary of State Online Tutor Training Activity

This Training Activity is found in the Tutor Registration form Above

LESSON 10 

Please indicate True (T) or False (F) for each of the following statements.

 

1. All ESL learners are recent immigrants.

2. All ESL learners want to learn English.

3. The initial goal of a tutor working with an English language learner will be to help the learner

4. develop receptive and expressive communication skills in English.

5. There are several elements of an effective language-learning environment that can help ESL learners succeed. Name two.

6. All ESL learners are literate in their native language.

7. All other cultures use collaborative learning so this is an easy strategy for ESL learners to understand.

8. Cultural factors such as eye contact and interpersonal distance can have an impact on instruction.

9. Using a tape recorder can be an effective instructional strategy for an ESL learner.

10. Music is an inappropriate resource to use when teaching English vocabulary.

11. Visual clues make language more understandable.

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LESSON 13

Please complete a response to the following scenario so we can learn about your point-of-view when it comes to teaching.

Joe, your adult learner, has the goal of improving his reading skills. He is currently at a beginning reading level. He is a young farmer with an interest in the outdoors. He wants to read and understand the newspaper. Create a lesson and plan a tutoring session that will help Joe reach his goal.

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After training...

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Communication Policy with Students

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Objective: Ensure clear, respectful, and professional communication between tutors and students, with a focus on addressing communication issues promptly.

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Key Points:

1. Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone in all communications.

2. Clarity: Ensure messages are clear and concise, avoiding jargon or overly complex language.

3. Timeliness: Respond to student inquiries within 24 hours.

4. Respect: Treat all students with respect, acknowledging their efforts and encouraging their progress.

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Responsibilities

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Objective: Define the roles and responsibilities of tutors to ensure effective learning outcomes.
 

Key Points:

1. Preparation: Prepare for each session with a clear lesson plan and necessary materials.

2. Punctuality: Arrive on time for all tutoring sessions.

3. Engagement: Actively engage students in the learning process, encouraging participation and interaction.

4. Assessment: Regularly assess student progress and provide constructive feedback.

5. Support: Offer additional resources or support for students struggling with the material.

6. Tutor Absence Policy: If you need to be absent, especially for an extended period, please inform the Community Literacy Program Director and Assistant with a 24-hour notice as a courtesy.

7. Student Absence Policy: It is important to note that students are expected to inform their tutors or the Community Literacy Program Director and Assistant if they are unable to attend tutoring sessions.

8. Volunteer Hour Log: Fill out the Volunteer Hour log located on the Volunteer Page. This helps keep track of progress and maintain a record of all accomplishments and hours.

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Tutor Guidelines for Effective Tutoring

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Objective: Establish guidelines to maintain a productive and positive learning environment.

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Key Points:

1. Respectful Environment: Create a welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all students.

2. Confidentiality: Keep all student information confidential.

3. Adaptability: Be flexible and adapt teaching methods to meet the needs of different students.

4. Technology Use: Utilize appropriate educational technology to enhance learning without causing distractions.

5. Continuous Improvement: Seek feedback from students and peers to continuously improve tutoring methods.

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Next Steps ...

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1. Review Policy: Tutors should review the communication policy and responsibilities regularly.

2. Tutor Round Table Discussions: Participate in regular Tutor Round Table Discussions hosted by the Community Literacy Program Director or Assistant. These discussions will cover optional trainings, gather feedback, and discuss improvements.

3. Feedback Mechanism: Tutors should participate and fill out Feedback forms on the Volunteer Webpage to provide input on tutoring sessions.

4. Resource and Lesson Plan Review: Review all resources provided from the webpage, especially the lesson plan guidelines for ESL Tutoring.

5. Mentorship: For new volunteer tutors, there is a required Tutoring Session Observation to help them get oriented and provide guidance in their initial sessions.​​​​

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FAQ

• You don’t have to be bilingual.

Most of our tutors only speak English, and we have adult learners from all around the world!If you do speak another language, kindly let us know in order to match you with the right student.

 

• While most people use Zoom (the free 45-minute session), you can use as many tools as necessary.

We also recommend Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, WhatsApp, Text, Voice Memos and any tools that help you communicate with the adult learner. Google Jamboard is also a great tool to use in addition to all of these options.

 

• Resources: all students and tutors are different and we will provide you with more resources after you complete your training.

It is highly recommended that you begin by watching Keighty Ward’s VIDEO TUTORIALS here when you have time. They are very talented and is a great resource to have, especially while everything is virtual.

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