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How to be Effective in English Second Language (ESL)
Tutoring
As a tutor,
you are expected to teach your student(s) in a small-group or one-on-one
environment. You are expected to be knowledgeable, to offer expertise, guidance,
and help.
You can provide private
teaching or online tutoring in
specific areas like Math, Reading, Statistics, Science, Grammar, or English as a Second Language. Whatever
it is that you are teaching, use methods to motivate your students to learn and
eventually become independent learners.
Whether you
tutor kids, teenagers, housewives, workers,
or businessmen, you have to be flexible and creative. You must be able to rouse
enthusiasm so that your students love their
books. You need to instill discipline so that they will do their homework.
- Tutoring
Methods
There are many methods to teach ESL to adults. Select
the instructional approaches that are of most help to your own students. Vary
the length, content, or schedule of your program to accommodate their needs.
- Life skills
ESL classes
This method focuses on developing general English language proficiency. It
teaches adults how to express themselves in English when they go to the doctor, apply for a job, manage money,
go to the market, or go shopping.
- Vocational ESL
classes
This method prepares students for jobs. Classes may
teach pre-employment skills. Students are taught how to look for jobs or
prepare for interviews. Classes may also teach language skills for specific
jobs in the hospitality or horticulture industry.
- Workplace ESL
classes
This method takes into account specific work settings.
Classes help students learn English
skills that are specific and directly applicable to a particular work setting.
- English
proficiency/civics classes
This method puts together English language lessons with lessons about citizenship, civil
rights, and civic responsibility and participation.
- Family ESL classes
This method is geared towards teaching the English language to the whole family,
including children. Some tutoring programs
pool resources from both adult education and K-12 programs.
Comparing
Adults and Children as Students of ESL
You have to adjust your teaching method depending on
whether you are tutoring adults or children. Children and adults differ in
certain ways:
- Motivation
Adult students are more motivated to learn. They
usually enroll for lessons because they need to learn English for study or work. They are likely to apply themselves
diligently to their lessons.
Children are usually enrolled by their parents for tutoring lessons. If they do not see
the sessions as fun, exciting, or appealing, they may lose interest and become
less attentive.
- Discipline
Adults are more self-disciplined. On the other hand, if
you have young learners, you need to instill discipline. You need to create a
routine that works for kids and be consistent in your teaching methods.
- Independence
Adult learners like more independence. They like to
have a hand in what lessons to learn. They like to figure things out for
themselves.
On the other hand, if you tutor kids, you have to be clearly in charge. You have to set the
direction and give precise instructions.
- Learning Style
Adults need to engage deeply with the material they
have to learn. They appreciate being given longer periods to learn tasks.
Children have shorter attention spans. They like to be given
different interesting tasks.
- Level of
Anxiety
Adults need to be encouraged. They tend to compare
themselves to the typical student and think of themselves as old. As a result,
they tend to feel more apprehensive.
Young students are more relaxed and receptive. When
they see activities as fun, they don't mind trying new things.
- Enthusiasm and
Energy vs. Life Experience
There is a marked difference between what children and
adults bring to the classroom.
Children bring high energy, curiosity, and zest. They
are eager to learn things about life.
Adults, on the other hand, have strong and interesting
opinions. They have fascinating ideas based on a wealth of experience.
Conclusion
The fundamentals for teaching English remain the same, whether you are tutoring adults or children. Encourage your students. Find out
their proficiency levels and use that as your basis in preparing your lesson
plans. Include tasks that are practical and useful. And finally, make your
classes interesting and fun.