Bedford Guide 5 and 6

     These chapters were very boring.  I find it hard to read about tutoring.  In fact, I don't think you could learn to tutor just from reading.  Similarly, I've learned a lot of this already by tutoring.  You improve with experience, but external learning can still help.  In fact, I've enjoyed brushing up on grammar vocabulary, because it makes my ESL sessions much easier.  "You're missing an article here" makes so much more sense to the student than "you're missing a word."  

     I would never want to tape record myself reading a paper and then listen to it!  Most people do not like the sound of their own voices recorded, and this could end up being more traumatic for them.  The book suggests that you shouldn't focus on grammar and syntax in an ESL paper, but so many papers are final drafts and those are the only problems.  I've worked with masters and doctoral students, and their papers are very good except for some problems that come from not knowing the language.  There aren't many errors in some papers, and it helps them to know that two words are normally said in a different order in English.  I also find it easier to work with ESL students after having brushed up on some grammar rules and terminology.  It's hard to tutor students that remember the rules better than I do.

     I don' think it is that different to tutor someone with a computer in front of you instead of a piece of paper.  In both cases you have to strain your neck a little to view it.  I've worked both ways, and they're both fine.  Now online tutoring is a different story.  I do not like online tutoring at all, and I could go on forever about why I don't like it, but I won't.  I'll just say that more progress can be made in a face-to-face session than over the internet.  Communication works easier when you're seated next to each other.  It also works better when your technology works, if you're using computers or anything.  I would also never want an ESL student during online tutoring.  Most of the time an ESL student explains the idea they were trying to get across in their writing, and then I can help them make sure that idea comes across.  If they had to write the idea to me, it would be as confusing as having the paper without the student.

     I am SO thankful we don't do Asynchronous tutoring!  Thank you Jackie!