Tutor Tips… "Quick-tivities"

Below is a list of warmer/cooler/filler activities (designed for ESL learners but could be used with any learner). For these ideas and more, check out: http://www.esicafe.com/, http://www.eslflow.com/Index.html, http://itesli.org/Lessons/, and www.developingteachers.com

Categories: The learner writes 6 or 7 different categories, for example: Country, Adjective, Verb, Profession etc. The tutor then gives a letter and the learner has to fill the categories with words beginning with this letter.
Example: for the letter “B”: Brazil,   Big,   Be,   Baker   etc.

Categories 2: Brainstorm all words that: melt, are green, are worn, are soft etc., etc.

Word Association: The tutor starts the game by saying a word, such as "Hotel".
For example: Tutor: Hotel,     Learner: Bed,     Tutor: Room,     Learner: Service,     Tutor: Food,     Learner: Restaurant

Different Uses: Learners think of as many different uses for different objects as possible: e.g. a brick

Chain Story: Tutor begins with a story, learner continues with a sentence, tutor adds another and so on.

Odd Word Out: You need three or four words that can be put in the same category of meaning. Add one that in one way or another, does not belong. Learners have to find which one is the "distractor" and explain why.
For example: money     currency     penny     change
The odd word is penny (which is concrete and a countable noun), as opposed to the other three words which are abstract and uncountable nouns.

Art Master: The tutor describes a picture orally. The learner simultaneously recreates the picture on a sheet of paper, correctly including named objects in accurate positions. This game reinforces the use of prepositions, such as to the right of, to the left of, in the middle of, or under, etc. It also reinforces the vocabulary of concrete objects learners have already learned before. The complexity of the picture will depend on the level of the students.

Tutor Reporting

Monthly reporting is a crucial, though sometimes neglected aspect of tutoring! The monthly reports provide a record for PLKS staff to refer to, provide a history for future tutors and allow staff to assist you in your work. Tutor reports are due by the 20th of each month - if you wish to submit them by email please let Janet know!
Thanks!

New Resources

Teaching English One to One: J. Downman & J. Shepherd

This gives new fresh ideas and techniques to improve your tutoring. It includes a needs analysis to pinpoint areas of focus as well as constructive ways of improving verbal skills.

A Grab Bag of Telephone and Socializing Activities: Elizabeth Ganong and Dan Ingrain.

Fun activities to help your ESL learner improve his or her conversational skills.