Ask Micki: Really dislike my tutor

© sxc.hu/deboer

Question: Hi, Micki. I am a tutee with a question, and I'm hoping it doesn't make me sound like a complete jerk. 

I get tutored through my school's learning center, and they assign you a tutor to work with for the semester.  Last semester, I had a great tutor who helped me get a B in trigonometry, a virtual miracle for me!  She was friendly, funny, and really helpful.

This year, though, my old tutor has graduated, and I was assigned someone new.  Here's the thing, I really dislike my new tutor. 

He's a pretty decent tutor (not the best I've had, but not the worst either), but he is so difficult to get along with during our tutoring sessions that it is driving me crazy.  He's kind of argumentative, says some abrasive things, and is very curt with how he talks to me.

We've talked a little bit about it, but he tells me that I'm being too sensitive, and that once I get to know him I'll "get over it."  It's been 2 months, and things are only getting worse every week.

Needless to say, I'm not happy. 

Any ideas on what to do next?
During our last meeting, he practically yelled at me for "not getting" a complex math problem, told me to "shut up" when I asked a question, and then got huffy when I said that I needed more time to work on it.

Thanks, Micki.
Signed, Allison P. from SC


Answer: Hi, Allison, sorry to hear about your tutoring situation.  Conflicts in personality, and attitude types not meshing, can make tutoring difficult.  In some cases it becomes uncomfortable, and that can lead to unproductive tutoring that can feel like a total waste of time.

Sorry to say, that sounds like the boat you are in right now with your tutor.  Since you've tried talking things through with him, and that didn't work, your next step should be talking to the learning center coordinator at your school.

Trust me when I say that the person in charge of the tutor learning center has undoubtedly heard this before, and he or she should have something in place to help match you with a more suitable tutor.  I am 99% sure that your learning center supervisor has fixed a situation just like yours before, and it won't be a big deal to switch to someone more suitable for your tutoring needs. 

That said, I also think that it is important for you to be very open and honest with the learning center supervisor.  Tell her exactly what you wrote in here to the blog.  It is important for the supervisor of the learning center  to know what is going on with the tutors.  Let him or her know that this tutor could use help with communication, and express your thoughts on how he makes you feel during sessions.

Tutoring requires patience, great communication skills, and the ability to help others learn.  It doesn't sound like he is performing too well on any of those fronts right now, and may need some help in the form of tutor training.  Harsh as it may sound, if your tutor refuses to change after talking to a supervisor, it may be best that he find another line of work. 

*****
Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/deboer

Field Notes: The radio as an ESL learning tool

The radio has been around for a long time, and yet I feel as though it is one of the most overlooked learning tools for ESL students and ESL tutors.

I often ask my students to tune in to the radio in between tutoring sessions.  Why?  A lot of reasons!

1. The radio is an excellent way to pick up new ESL vocabulary.  This is especially true if your ESL students tune in and listen to a talk radio station such as NPR.

2. The radio is an excellent way for ESL students to listen to conversations in English in between tutoring sessions.  Being able to hear normal to fast-paced dialogue is great practice for the real world.

3. Exposure to conversational English is also a winner when it comes to learning about culture.  Music, jokes, topics of conversation, and holiday talk can all be great help to the ESL tutee who wants to learn more about the culture in which he or she is living.  Ask your tutees to bring a radio discussed topic or two with them to the next ESL tutoring session.

4. Music is a fantastic way to learn English.  Have you ever heard a catchy tune in an unfamiliar language?  Try it sometime.  I guarantee, after several listens, you will be singing along in another language!  With the help of a dictionary, frequently sung words suddenly go from being a mystery to being part of your ESL student's vocabulary.

The next time you get together with your students for ESL tutoring, bring up the radio idea.  It is fun, and your students are guaranteed to love it!

Tammy (again) from WI :)

Ask Micki: Sale on tutoring?

© sxc.hu/Thoursie

Question: Hi, I have a question that deals with the business side of tutoring.

Is it inappropriate to offer sales or promotions for tutoring services?

Here's my idea: I'd like to have a "Back to school" type of deal where I give parents 20% off of my tutoring services.  It would be for tutoring appointments in September only, and would last from September 1st through the end of September.  Is this a good idea? Bad idea? Inappropriate in any way?

Thank you so much for your help!
Becky Anne from MI


Answer: Hi, Becky Anne -  This is a great idea!  Everyone loves a deal, and offering a discount for your tutoring services is not inappropriate at all.  I have heard from a lot of tutors who have done this, and they all report great success with the technique!

Plus, the fact that you are making this an exciting, focused ("Back to School"), limited time promotion almost guarantees success.

On another note, you are also doing your tutees a favor.  With the economy being like it is right now, I know that your tutoring parents will really appreciate the break in cost, especially with all of the other back to school expenses looming overhead.

Good luck with your sale, and stop by when you get a chance to let us know how it worked out for you!