Becoming an ESL Tutor

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It was curiosity that brought me here to these ESL workshops. I am gaining an understanding of what is expected from a tutor in this program. It seems that we are to play a more significant role in our tutees lives than I initially anticipated.

Yes, I am nervous. I expect a lot of myself and sometimes over extend. I am hoping that I can be an affective tutor. I have never helped anyone with a severe language barrier. Although, I have helped children with communication and social barriers.

I am excited about the adventure we are all embarking on. I like the idea of making new acquaintances and traveling to other countries, even if we are only exploring them from the perspective of the people in this room. I know I will grow to appreciate my own Canadian heritage more as a result. I like the idea of this whole group working together to helping one another and out tutees, it just sounds nice.

Hopefully we will all enjoy sharing information and some laughs. I am a little frightened about the growth process. I know that I will find out some things about myself that I don’t like or, wish I could do better. I know that I may even surprise myself with what I am capable of in some areas.

I want to eventually learn how to do my own lesson plans but I sure don’t want to jump right in with it, that scares me. A slow and steady approach sounds good to me. I don’t like making mistakes, but I know I need to do this to learn.

It makes me sad to think of the barriers and multiple limitations to education and work that lost of these new Canadians will face. The engineer whose trade is not recognised and has to work as a maintenance man. I wonder if they knew before, what they know now would they still emigrate from their country to Canada?

As an advocate for human rights, I am passionate about a lot of issues. It makes me wonder how many of my fellow tutors also passionate feelings about human rights issues and what they might be.

by Michelle Haslehurst