The more people to contribute to a site like this, the better it gets, so I encourage you to go there now and see what you can give and take to this site, ESL Handouts.

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By now you may have taken a peek at the You Tube videos and other brief questions and answers that have been posted on this blog, and many of them deal with the topic of teaching and managing children. (If you haven’t looked at some of the other posted materials, I highly encourage you to do so.) A lot of esl tutoring is about teaching children, so it is very important that you prepare yourself for doing this.

Many times people who try their hand at ESL tutoring prefer to work with adults. Especially for the many that have no children of their own yet, the fear of working with energetic and easily distracted students keeps them from realizing the incredible rewards that teaching children can offer.

Once again, ESL guru George Stocker, in his article “Teaching ESL to Children” offers some great tips for that very subject.

When working with children, it may seem that they have no attention span at all. It is important to be patient, playful, and remember that children are NOT simply short adults. Stocker recommends to:

1. Involve children in hands-on activities. From my own personal experience working with children, I agree that the best learning takes place by getting the student up and out of their chair—singing songs and playing games.
2. It is also important to avoid talking for long periods of time. This is a sure way to put the kids to sleep. When sleeping, they do not learn.
3. Keep the children talking to you and others, working in groups is a good idea. If you are in a private ESL tutoring situation, you can still make this work by actively engaging the student in conversation.
4. Review. Do this in many ways and forms. Quizzes, games, and other activities can make review seem like fun.
5. Make sure that the student feels safe to make a mistake without judgment. This is especially true with cultures that do not allow a student to make a mistake without feeling shame.

If you are a new ESL tutor or one with experience, it is still a good idea to review these tips and analyze your own tutoring techniques to see if anything needs to be adjusted.

Working with children who speak your language is already exhausting, so it is even more of a mental and physical drain to take on ESL tutoring jobs with children. In my own personal experience, however, I have found that ESL tutoring and teaching with children has made me feel rewarded and loved, and made the whole career worthwhile. No one can show enthusiasm and love for your efforts like a child, and you are certain to see amazing progress along the way.

You can read more of Stocker’s article at http://EzineArticles.com/?Teaching-ESL-to-children&id=99735 and get more ideas from his website www.esl-storybooks.com .

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A tutor should be patient.  Students only progress at the rate at which they progress.  Even if you are bored silly, you must stay with a topic as long as the student stays engaged with it.  Also, students may be late, not diligent to study, or other things that will test your patience.

A tutor should be flexible.  Not every student learns the same way.  You will have to learn a variety of ways to teach a concept.  Also, sometimes you may have to take a student at a time that is not very convenient to your own schedule.

A tutor should be curious.  If you still have the desire to learn, you will transfer your curiosity to your students and they will learn much more.

A tutor should be empathetic.  A lot of ESL tutoring is based on relationship.  There are many struggles ahead for the ESL student as they learn a language and just live life.  You are bound to become a person they confide in.

A tutor should be intelligent.  Even if you aren’t as educated as some of the people you tutor, you will have to appear competent in your field to be respected and well paid.

A tutor should be cooperative.  You will be more successful if you help other students and teachers be successful.  Share your ideas and resources.

A tutor should be knowledgeable.  Never stop learning or getting more materials and ideas for your students.  New methods and resources are being developed all the time.  Be on the cutting edge of your field!

A tutor should be enthusiastic.  Whatever you are, your students will follow.  If you look bored, they will be too.

A tutor should be resourceful.  Use the internet, use others, use books, use your own ideas.

A tutor should be genuine.  Don’t pretend to be someone you are not.  Your students need to learn from you, not a phony.  Don’t keep students that you are not compatible with.

I hope this list gives you some food for thought.  ESL tutoring is very rewarding and can be as interesting as you make it.  Consider carefully if you think this is the career for you, and then go for it.  You can do it!

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