NASILP Components:

The Tutor

NASILP tutors perform the crucial activity of guiding learners through course materials. Their status as native speakers provides learners with a regular opportunity to practice authentic communication in the target language.

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Eleanor Jorden with Virginia Marcus

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How do I find tutors for a NASILP program?
Would someone with previous language teaching experience be a suitable NASILP tutor?
What makes a good tutor?
What kind of personality traits should a NASILP tutor have?
What other considerations should I take before hiring a tutor?
How often does a tutor meet with students?
What is the main purpose of the tutorial sessions?
How should the coordinator guide tutors to conduct a NASILP tutorial session?
What if tutors show resistance to NASILP guidelines?
What are NASILP tutors not allowed to do?
How should a tutor's performance be evaluated?
Do tutors give grades?
What are some examples of tutorial proceedings?


Q.
How do I find tutors for a NASILP program?

A.
Tutors should be well-educated native speakers of the language and dialect you want to offer. If there are any doubts about a pontential tutor, the coordinator should arrange for a decisive telephone interview between the applicant and the examiner.

Q.
Would someone with previous language teaching experience be a suitable NASILP tutor?

A.
Surprisingly, this can be a disadvantage - because tutoring is different from teaching, the habits of an experienced teacher might disrupt NASILP methodology.

Q.
What makes a good tutor?

A.
Tutors can often be found on campus, often in the form of graduate students. If student native speakers aren't available, tutors can often be found in the community. Look for someone who has been in the target culture recently to ensure that their language reflects current use.

Q.
What kind of personality traits should a NASILP tutor have?

A.
NASILP tutors should be lively, congenial, pleasant, outgoing, have good voices, and be willing to take direction.

Q.
What other considerations should I take before hiring a tutor?

A.
Hire first-time tutors on a temporary basis (4-6 weeks). Make sure to hire someone who can work according to academic schedules.

Q.
How often does a tutor meet with students?

A.
Two hours a week at absolute minimum, four hours a week maximum. Students should be expected at each tutorial session; tutors should take regular attendance.

Q.
What is the main purpose of the tutorial sessions?

A.
The sessions provide evidence of native speech in real contexts. They also offer learners the opportunity to interact with native speakers in the target language.

Q.
How should the coordinator guide tutors to conduct a NASILP tutorial session?

A.
Coordinators should assemble all new tutors at the beginning of the semester for an orientation to NASILP guidelines and methodology. Take advantage of the training materials available through the NASILP secretariat.

Q.
What if tutors show resistance to NASILP guidelines?

A.
Encourage the tutors to ask questions. If a tutor becomes antagonistic, her or his position should be reconsidered.

Q.
What are NASILP tutors not allowed to do?

A.
Tutors may not give examinations - this is the examiner's responsibility. Tutors should not offer explanations of grammar, or any type of language analysis; they should only speak in the target language, never in English; they should not alter the tutorial schedule, or change the presentation order of the materials; they should not drill learners on vocabulary, but should always present authentic language in context.

Q.
How should a tutor's performance be evaluated?

A.
The coordinator should pay unannounced visits to tutorial sessions as often as possible. Make sure that the tutor isn't doing all the talking, or spending too much time writing examples.

Q.
Do tutors give grades?

A.
Definitely not, but they should keep an evaluated attendance record.

Q.
What are some examples of tutorial proceedings?

A.
Typically, a tutor will engage learners in practical dialogues - asking directions, asking for and about specific things, etc. Props are often used to enhance the virtual quality of the interaction. Quizzes are given on the content of native speech.

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