TUTORING TECHNIQUES: Foreign Language
1. Have students correct errors on tests/quizzes when they are returned.
2. Have student note key concepts in text chapter and explain it at session. By doing this you can see where the student is getting lost. Also, by having the student verbalize the concept, he has to put it in a logical order and is forced to remember exceptions.
3. Have student write 2 or 3 questions prior to each session.
4. Have the student make flash cards for vocabulary words, verbs, and pronoun groups. (i.e. subject pronouns, direct and indirect object, interrogative, etc.)
5. Have the students in the group compare class notes with one another. (Note organizational skills of student.)
6. Develop and administer a quiz. (Remember to incorporate questions which require long term as well as short-term memory.) Review of past lessons and material is critical.
7. Assign a worksheet prior to session and have students in the group critique one another’s work.
8. Make sure students are utilizing the foreign language lab and class!
9. Tape correct pronunciations of more difficult phrases or sentences. Students can listen, practice, and tape own pronunciations. Critique.
10. Conduct sessions in Spanish, French, etc., for additional conversational practice.
11. Be patient-- don’t give all the answers-- but lead students to the correct response.
12. Review past lessons for 15-20 minutes of session.
13. Have students quiz one another.
14. Be positive; laugh about errors, but be firm and correct errors.
15. Use other sources of information to explain concepts and give examples.
16. Students in groups can be pen pals to each other.
17. Students can keep a journal: focus on grammar and vocabulary in current and past chapters.
18. Students should keep review vocabulary lists and sentences with new vocabulary.
19. Students can use verbs with pronouns rather than nouns.
20. Be sure to collect, review and analyze students’ quizzes and tests-- don’t just ask for score/grades. Thus, you can do this privately even when you have students grouped. Use errors for review quiz.
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