Tutor Connections: Techniques for Tutoring
The Language Experience Approach
The Vita Education Services’ Language Experience Approach is a 60-minute instructional video that defines and demonstrates the variety of activities an English as a Second Language (ESL) or a Literacy tutor can do with a student under the technique called language experience.
Language Experience Video – Only $59.95
Introduction
The video begins with an introduction defining the technique, its purpose, its value, and the target audience for whom it is intended.
Student Segments
The six student segments are composed of three ESL and three Literacy students at varying levels. Each student segment is divided into two parts representing two sessions with the student. In the first part, the student and tutor are seen creating a learner-generated story. In the second part, the student and tutor are engaged in extension activities that have been created from the story. The content of the second session is based on meaningful language activities created by the tutor to help further the goals of the student. Listed below are summaries of the six student segments:
- Younes is a beginning English as a Second Language learner from Morocco. He has been in this country for a very short time. His goal is to communicate in English. The tutor is using a magazine ad as a prompt to determine his understanding of English.
- Frank is a low intermediate English as a Second Language learner from Hong Kong. He has been in the country for six years. Frank’s goal is to improve his speaking and understanding of English. Using a recent trip to Hong Kong as the prompt, the tutor listens and records Frank’s spoken English.
- Tuyen is a high intermediate English as a Second Language learner from Viet Nam. She has several goals: to help her daughter in school, to study for her citizenship and to improve her understanding of English grammar. The tutor uses a photograph of Tuyen’s family as a prompt to produce a student generated narrative that will be used as a springboard for the introduction of a new language structure.
- Kathy is a beginning literacy student. She wants to be able to read to her nieces and nephews. The tutor knows she likes horses so she uses a picture as a prompt to generate the learner text. This will be used to build basic sight vocabulary and develop oral fluency.
- Susan is a high beginning literacy student. Her goal is to be able to read practical information such as signs, work material and mail. A typical day at work is the prompt for the learner generated text. This will lead to a dictation and proofreading exercise and an introduction to syllables.
- Patty is an intermediate literacy student. Her goal is to improve her reading and writing skills in order to get a better job. She is interested in interior design. The tutor uses a childhood memory as the prompt for the learner generated text. This will lead to a lesson on writing revision.
