Observing Demetria's tutoring session with Tama highlighted the importance of building confidence while developing literacy skills. The session focused on a spelling test but rather than simply marking answers as right or wrong, Demetria used each word as a learning opportunity.
One strategy that stood out was her consistent encouragement for Tama to sound out each word instead of giving up when it became difficult. Rather than providing the answer, Demetria prompted her to work through the sounds helping her develop confidence in decoding unfamiliar words. She also reassured Tama that it was okay to make mistakes, creating a supportive environment where she felt comfortable stepping outside her comfort zone and attempting challenging words.
After the spelling test, Demetria carefully reviewed each word with Tama. Instead of focusing only on the letters, she broke the words down into their individual sounds, helping Tama understand how phonemes relate to spelling. This encouraged a deeper understanding of spelling patterns rather than relying on memorisation alone. Another effective strategy was Demetria's use of reflective questioning. When Tama made an error, she did not immediately correct it. Instead, she asked questions such as what Tama thought needed to change, encouraging her to identify and correct her own mistakes. This promoted active learning and helped develop her independence as a learner.
From observing this session, I learnt that effective tutoring is not just about teaching the correct answer but about guiding students through the learning process. Demetria demonstrated how patience, encouragement and questioning can help students build resilience and confidence while strengthening their literacy skills. I hope to incorporate these strategies into my own tutoring by creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes and are encouraged to think critically about their own learning.
