Important Tutoring Guidelines

Tutors should be taught to follow the following seven guidelines. Following these guidelines will help tutoring sessions run smoothly and will help students be successful.

• Begin instruction immediately after the start of the tutoring session.
• Provide clear instructions (e.g., “Read this list of words” rather than “Could you read this list of words?”).
• Use explicit teaching techniques (i.e., show students what to do and provide opportunities for them to practice with clear tutor supervision and feedback) rather than simply reading to students.
• Include praise and encouraging words that are specific to the task at hand (e.g., “Yes, the word is father”).
• Use error corrections that include showing students the correct response (e.g., “That word is sequoia”) and asking them to repeat it (e.g., “What word?”).
• Maintain a rapid pace of instructional delivery to keep students focused and on task.
• Ignore inconsequential and unwanted student behavior.

The following eight tips may prove helpful for those tutors who do not receive systematic training.

• Be positive. Praise goes a long way with students who struggle in reading. Provide positive feedback when correct responses are made (e.g., “Yes. The word is tunnel.”).
• Stop students immediately after an error. Model the correct response and provide them an opportunity to do it correctly (e.g., “That word is tepid. What word?”). Try not to use the word “no.”
• Provide clear instructions (e.g., “Say this word” rather than “Would you say it?”).
• Record student performance. Be mindful of mistakes made during the session. Review anything that the student misses or does not respond to in a confident manner. Remember, students “should say it like they know it.”
• Work from the beginning to the end of the period.
• Keep tutoring sessions lively. Student success and tutor support go a long way in keeping students motivated to come back.
• Try to ignore minor misbehavior. Focus on what students are doing well rather than dwelling on what they have missed.
• Be patient. Show students that you care about them through your commitment and encouragement.

 

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