ESL Tutor Training

Welcome to the ESL Tutor-Training Module!

Using Grammatical Awareness and Cultural Scaffolding to Inform the Tutoring of ESL Students at the Iowa State University Writing and Media Help Center

This tutor training-module uses error gravity research and cultural scaffolding to assist tutors in effectively, positively tutoring ESL students at the Iowa State University Writing and Media Help Center. The tutor-training module's goals are to (1) help Center tutors understand how to tutor ESL students by using error gravity research to prioritize grammatical errors in ESL student-writing and (2) to encourage Center tutors to act as cultural-rhetorical informants to ESL students. The website functions as a resource guide to help tutors understand the pedagogy for tutoring ESL students.

For an explanation of the various links and downloadable documents, or if you are experiencing problems using this site, please contact the Coordinator of the Writing and Media Help Center, Chris Nelson, at ccnelson@iastate.edu

Below is a tentative schedule of the 2 day, two-hour ESL tutor-training module:

Starting under Day 1 training below, please follow the directions under Section A and then follow the directions for Section B.

For Day 2 training, please follow the directions under Day 2 training under Section A, Section B and Section C in that order.

Day 1 training: Being a cultural-rhetorical informant

Day 2 training: Using error gravity research

Section A:

Please read the article on link 1 below and then click on link 2. Download the document on link 2, type your answers to the questions and then check your answers using link 3. Please discuss your answers with your peers.

1. Read an article about ESL students & cross-cultural rhetoric

2. Take the T/F quiz over the article

3. Check your answers to the T/F quiz

Section A.

Please click on link 1 below and watch the video. After you have watched the video, click on link 2. Then, download the worksheet, fill out the worksheet and discuss it with your peers.

1. Watch video two: focus on grammar and choices of style

2. Discuss video two worksheet

Section B:

Please click on link 1 below, open the page, and watch the video. Then, click on link 2 and answer the questions. Discuss your answers with your peers.

1. Watch video one: focus on content and organization

2. Discuss video one worksheet

Section B.

Please click on the link below, go to the website and follow the directions on the site. When you finish, come back to this site and follow the directions for Section C.

1. Error gravity homepage

Section C.

Please click on link 1below and fill it out. Print out or e-mail your response to the Coordinator of this training session

1. Tutor surveys/reflections of feedback from tutor-training

Note: The links below are extra resource materials that can be used in tutoring ESL students.

Grammar Exercises that will be helpful in both applying error gravity research and in tutoring ESL students.

Supplementary Materials including links to other Writing Centers, and helpful books about tutoring and teaching composition to ESL students.

Welcome to the ESL Tutor-Training Module!

Using Grammatical Awareness and Cultural Scaffolding to Inform the Tutoring of ESL Students at the Iowa State University Writing and Media Help Center

Grammar Exercises that will be helpful in both applying error gravity research and in tutoring ESL students.

Supplementary Materials including links to other Writing Centers, and helpful books about tutoring and teaching composition to ESL students.