Today, I had the opportunity to observe Oli Fletcher tutor James, a Year 12 student, as they worked on his English HSC Module C response. The session was engaging and productive, with a relaxed vibe that made the session enjoyable.
Oli’s approach was supportive and encouraging, creating an environment where James felt comfortable working through his ideas and refining his writing, which is often a challenge for students needing help in English. Throughout the session, Oli asked insightful questions that prompted James to think about his response rather than just following the rubric. This helped James gain a better understanding of his work and gain confidence in his writing abilities.
One of the standout moments was when they reviewed a key section of James’ discursive. Oli worked through identifying areas for improvement by discussing James extracurricular interest, encouraging him to articulate his thoughts clearly and refine his expression while writing about something he genuinely cared about.. The discussion was collaborative, with Oli offering constructive feedback while also acknowledging the strengths in James’ writing. This balance made the session feel less like a lesson and more like a conversation, which kept James engaged and motivated.
Another good technique Oli used was making connections to real-world examples to clarify complex ideas. By relating the content to familiar concepts, he helped James see his writing from a fresh perspective, making revisions feel more intuitive and purposeful. This approach not only improved James’ response but also reinforced broader writing skills that he can apply to future tasks.
Overall, the session was a great example of how a positive tutoring environment can make a real difference. Oli’s ability to keep the discussion engaging while guiding James toward independent problem-solving created a session that was both enjoyable and beneficial. It was clear that James left the session feeling more confident in his writing and better prepared for his HSC Module C response.
Tom Gloster
