Over the course of my career as an English and writing tutor I've worked in several different environments and with many types of students. While at college I spent approximately 3 years working at the Writing Center. While there I developed not only the skills and abilities to properly tutor all types of students, but was offered a unique opportunity to refine my own writing/editing abilities through working with other tutors and students. I will bring to this job a sound understanding of multiple tutoring methods, procedures, and tactics, all of which are adaptable to the variety of writing abilities I have encountered in my work. This skill set has been refined by my time after college as a personal tutor: For example, I have worked with ESL students, students who have never written a paper before, students as young as 14, and adults as well. Students have approached me with everything from completed papers in need of refinement, to abstract ideas/ concepts that they needed help articulating into words. On top of writing and grammar, my students and I address composition, structure, clarity, tone, and organization as needed. My time as a personal tutor also helps me to assume greater administrative responsibilities; asses client's needs and tailor the curriculum and homework as necessary; with younger students, contact parents for conferences; and finally, maintain extensive and personalized schedules for each student. At present I have tutored 25 individual people, averaging 3-6 sessions each.
But aside from technical proficiency, I have learned that each situation requires a unique and personal approach - I observe my student's demeanor, attitude, and comfort with writing/tutoring and proceed accordingly. Perhaps the student does not like reading aloud; maybe they don't even want to be there but were assigned to be; what if they have great ideas but can't seem to articulate them on the page? I look at my student's and tutoring with a holistic mindset, keeping in mind that it takes more than just writing skills to be an effective tutor.
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