Journal 5
Journal 5
On  Thursday, I met with a new student to assist on expanding his current essay meant to guide new personal trainers on some of their toolsets. On Friday, I met with the ENGL 121 student from last week, and we began going over some grammar together. I assisted two new students, one with a peer review and another with revisions.
Summary: Based off of my interaction with my ENGL 121 student, I need to better mold my tutoring with her desires. She notices her difficulties with grammar and wishes to work on them, and though they may be considered a lower order concern, as an ELL, her stance is naturally going to be different from native speakers and writers. Her content does not seem to be a problem, so I feel comfortable moving forward with this focus. I do need to reevaluate my stance on grammar, as while I think its importance may be overlooked in many tutoring services, I may have still undervalued how important my students find it.
Challenges: I had my first half hour sessions this week, and while I was able to manage my pacing satisfactorily, it was a struggle to both provide feedback and give them enough time to note down whatever feedback I had provided them. Each took notes in different ways, but both were proactive in their note taking. None of the students presented a particular challenge, though I am continuing to reflect on my ability to pace what advice I can give. Some of the help I gave this week was more explicit than guidance, which is something I need to be aware of even as I come up to the end of my time, though it can be harder when dealing with more concrete advice like which pieces of evidence belong where and which entries need to be cited.
Ideas or theories: I did realize I need to give more focus to grammar rules, as well as my own understanding of those rules. It can be very difficult to identify why an error is an error, and even more difficult to explain how someone else might identify those errors in their own writing. I have a partial understanding currently, but that understanding is lacking in many ways. In the meantime, my advice will best be assisted by discovering other avenues any students can practice their grammar and other resources they can use on campus. If necessary, I can also advise them on which classes I might recommend they take.
Currently, I draw on several core skills: interpersonal communication, my understanding of writing and reading, and tutoring others in my understanding of writing and reading. I would like to cultivate on larger group teaching, rather than one-on-one tutoring if at all possible, as well as taking a more involved role in some of the background processes.
So far, my main learning opportunities have been tutoring each individual student. I would like to expand to group settings and have the opportunity to view how others tutor students.
My supervisor has not had much of a role in my internship up to this point as my schedule does not seem to match up with his, and when I have arrived to meet with him, I seem to barely miss him. I do need to reach out and communicate with him more often, though I know he is busy during my availability.
I have enjoyed my relationship with my ENGL 121 students, and I have started to develop relationships with the front desk staff as well. They make it more rewarding to arrive to the internship as I am scheduled to.
One important factor is my schedule as a student and as a part-time worker interfering with my availability to handle more duties in the internship. There are some opportunities I cannot take advantage of because I do not have the time for them.