Watching one of my fellow tutors work with her Year 11 English student was an incredibly insightful experience. It demonstrated how a tutoring session for an older student can be both structured and adaptable. The tutor skillfully tailored the session to her student’s needs, ensuring that it was both productive and engaging. She kept the focus on student comprehension, constantly interacting with him to confirm his understanding of the content, while also advancing his learning to reach his full potential.

To assess her student’s grasp of the material, she started by asking open-ended questions, giving him the opportunity to answer before providing any information. This approach reduced any pressure to offer the ‘correct’ answer right away and created a space for him to think independently. When necessary, the tutor provided hints or explanations, adapting her support to the difficulty of each question. Together, they worked through the text Big World by Tim Winton, breaking down key areas such as its primary purpose, literary techniques, and their effectiveness on the audience. They also focused on reinforcing the student’s understanding by reviewing questions that emphasized the use of these techniques, as well as the importance of proper paragraph structure.

To maintain engagement and foster independence, the tutor shifted her approach midway through the session. She encouraged her student to write without direct input from her, giving her a clear sense of his progress and ability to apply what he had learned on his own. Afterward, they reviewed his work together, providing constructive feedback and celebrating his successes. This cyclical approach—alternating between collaborative work and independent tasks—ensured that the student could apply feedback to improve his writing.

Watching this session provided an excellent example of how to run a productive and motivating tutoring session. It not only demonstrated effective techniques for working with older students but also offered valuable insights into session structure that I can incorporate into my own tutoring practices. Thanks!