Hi everyone! I had a last-minute cancellation today, so I had the opportunity to observe Sorcha’s primary English session with Chloe. It was a productive and engaging session, where they focused on English comprehension and narrative writing skills.
Sorcha started by checking Chloe’s homework, which is such an important technique. By reviewing the previous work, she could identify any areas where Chloe needed more support and build on what had already been learned. This step also allowed Chloe to ask questions and clarify any doubts she had, ensuring she was progressing steadily.
They moved on to English comprehension, where Sorcha guided Chloe in finding definitions of key words. She taught Chloe how to use context clues within the passage to deduce meanings and encouraged her to look up words she was unsure about. This was an excellent way to enhance Chloe’s vocabulary and comprehension skills, while also teaching her strategies that will be useful in exam settings. Sorcha made sure to go through each new word slowly, which reinforced her understanding.
Later in the session, they shifted focus to narrative writing. Sorcha emphasised the importance of creating a plan before beginning to write, showing Chloe how to structure her ideas logically. She explained how having a clear outline with a beginning, middle, and end helps to develop a cohesive story. Sorcha walked Chloe through the process of brainstorming ideas, choosing a theme, and building characters, making sure she felt confident about how to start. She guided her to create a detailed plan, encouraging Chloe to think about settings, language devices, and how to resolve the story, which made the writing process less daunting.
What stood out was Sorcha encouraging Chloe to ask questions and think critically, making the session both educational and enjoyable. By the end, Chloe had improved her understanding of key comprehension skills and felt more prepared to tackle narrative writing with a solid plan in place. It was a pleasure to watch Sorcha guide Chloe through these essential English skills, leaving her student feeling more confident and equipped for future tasks.
Eleni Nicholas
