English Department’s tutoring guide aims to clarify standards

The English Department  created a tutoring guide near the beginning of the school year to clarify what is inappropriate for parents and tutors when it comes to helping their students with reading and writing assignments.

Department head Natasha Ritchie said teachers made the document after seeing the need to help parents and tutors know what is appropriate guidance.

“We see the shared encouragement and guidance of the teacher, tutor and parent as a collaborative effort to help students develop these skills and confidence in their ability to handle their own continuing education,” Ritchie said.

Ritchie notes one example of helping students constructively is by proofreading their writing assignments and explaining areas of strength and weakness. On the other hand, an inappropriate way of aiding students is telling the student what to write and directly correcting a student’s errors.

The guide also has a list of questions for parents and tutors to ask to their students. Some of the questions include “What do you think are the paper’s strengths? What still needs work?” and “Have you taken advantage of tutorial?”

The English Department hopes that this guide will list out effective ways for parents and tutors to help their student succeed.

“We offer these suggestions for providing effective support without undermining the students’ own ethics, resourcefulness and responsibility," she said.