Title: STEP Training Course Overview
Course: STEP DEV > Section: STEP Tutor Training Overview

OBJECTIVES

In the following training course overview, you will become familiar with

- the tutoring lessons and resources
- the STEP Method
- the tutees and the tutor goals
- the qualities of effective tutors and the rewards of being a tutor

INTRODUCTION

The Resources

Many grammar and speaking interactive PDF lessons have been created for you to use with your tutees.   Each lesson has a tutor copy, which contains the answers to the tutee lessons and additional information for the tutor.  You can find these materials and other tutoring aids  (grammar reference sheets, verb and question formation charts, useful expression sheet, etc.)  by clicking on the link to Lessons or Resources

The STEP Method

These lessons are based on the STEP method, which is described below.

- The tutees choose the subjects they want to work on.
- The tutor is a facilitator and thus guides the tutee towards discovering grammar rules and vocabulary on their own.
- The tutoring sessions are conducted in English.
- The focus is on the tutee using the language in a meaningful way.
- The tutor and tutee participate equally.

Each lesson follows the five steps below:

We will discuss these steps in detail throughout the training.

Click on the Simple Present lesson to see an explanation of each of the five steps.

PRE-ACTIVITY

1. What do you think a typical profile of your tutees would be?
2. What goals do you think you should have for your tutees?
3. What qualities do you think an effective tutor should have?
4. What rewards do you think there are in becoming a tutor?

ACTIVITY

Read through the information and click on the links to become familiar with the resources you will be using, the tutees you will be working with, the goals you should have for your tutees, the qualities an effective tutor has and the rewards of becoming a tutor.

The Tutees

When a tutee comes for help in English, they have usually had poor experiences with this language. Even though they really want to improve their English, oftentimes, they will be embarrassed by their lack of ability to speak it and as a result will be anxious at the first session and maybe even be reluctant to speak in English.

However, most of these tutees know more English than they think they know and it is your job to make them realize that and to create a safe environment where they will feel confident enough to use it. Although they may struggle in English, it is important to note that they are often gifted in other fields.

Some tutees have learning disabilities such as Asperger’s syndrome, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and others. That being the case, the best way is to discuss with the tutee themself and your supervisor on the best approach to help them.

Your tutees could also have trouble organizing their time and papers, completing their homework and remembering their appointments. In that case, you should devote some time to helping them become better organized.

Although most tutees who attend their English classes and tutoring sessions pass their course, a few will need more than just your help. It is important, therefore, that you encourage them to talk to their teacher after class and visit them during their office hours as well. However, if a tutee begins the semester with very limited English skills, even with all this additional aid, they still might not pass the English course.

Whether your tutee passes their course or not, they will make a lot of progress with you, and you will learn a lot from them.

Read about some tutees’ past experience with having an English tutor.

Tutor Goals

- Help your tutees pass their English courses.
- Encourage your tutees to speak in English during the tutorial.
- Train your tutees to arrive prepared for the tutorial.
- Inspire your tutees to use English outside the class.
- Develop your tutees' self-confidence and independence.

Qualities of Effective Tutors

Despite being highly rewarding, tutoring might not be for everyone. It requires someone who can be patient, flexible and empathic. In addition, you need to be someone friendly who can create a safe and comfortable environment for your tutee to work in English.

The Rewards

If you opt to become a tutor, not only will you be proud of yourself for the progress your tutees make, but you will also gain hands-on experience that will enhance your resume and people-oriented skills, such as leadership and self-reflection. Click on the link to read testimonials of tutors’ past experience with the STEP method.

POST-ACTIVITY

Click on the button below and take the post-activity quiz.