IB DP Alumni (Spanish A, English B, and Physics all in both SL/HL); Current undergraduate student in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto (Engineering Science).
IB DP Alumni (Spanish A, English B, and Physics all in both SL/HL); Current undergraduate student in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto (Engineering Science).
Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)
Simple and efficient is the best strategy in my experience. The most important is to teach how to study correctly for significant assignments, quizzes, and exams so the student can continue their journey and take the best practices with them. Applying these concepts further in different aspects of life and continuing learning builds confidence and life skills.
I like to clear up any targeted needs of the student and make a general review of the concepts so that we are both on the same page with the content and goals. Unless a student has specific doubts, it's a good start with the base level problems and their variations because they always appear in the tests and assignments. Review the text materials, literature context, authors, and style key points for language courses. For language analysis, essential basics and syntax structures, figures, etc.
I like to provide the best resources for their personal study use and general schematics of the steps in a problem or approaches they can reference at any time. Those can include books, websites, articles, etc. Apart from that, learning with confidence how to solve the problems in the time we have together for them later to apply it when studying alone or in a group.
Motivation, in part, is constructed by reasoning, purpose, knowledge, and interest. As an engineering student, I love to make connections between concepts to real-world situations and problems. Making links between different subjects, life situations, and reflections make it worthwhile, giving it another try and staying focused to discover and be curious.
Giving more resources, practicing for more time, and figuring out the issue is a must. Explain either in English, Spanish or Russian if it helps their understanding. Finding another set of steps or approaches to solve the same problem more efficiently for which the student may have a more remarkable ability and effectiveness may be a potential solution.
Practice a lot of exercises with the same problem context and read more text with the same or different topics. Also make use of different dictionaries such as scientific, urban language, etc.
I would do that by establishing trust and good communication. It builds on further development in the teaching and support I can give while the students are free to contribute whatever they believe necessary. Also, genuinely getting to know them and discussing their background helps set a firm ground for us and me to adjust my teaching style and talking patterns better.
I would make sure the student knows there's always a solution, and if there is struggling that's only temporary, success will come with the best efforts in a correct approach and study strategies. Throughout my university struggles, I tried many techniques and even managed to rise everything and get on top of the materials when I thought I was about to fail everything. In passing this knowledge, I want every student to realize that the toxic culture of studying 24/7 in a library is far away from the best and most effective pleasant solution. One would still have time for social activities and personal hobbies ;)
There's no better way to know than doing problems on your own or making your proper analysis without any guidance. Even better and a final point is when a student can go beyond that learned material as a combination of previous knowledge or newly developed skills.
Practicing several exercises different in nature and gradually increasing the difficulty level. Sometimes I like to give motivational conversations and proper feedback with key positive points and details to improve. However, instead of always jumping to the next level, I tend to make and encourage the student to review the materials properly.
Based on what they want to achieve, what they need to do, and where they aspire to reach. A proper plan of action would be discussed depending on skill levels and strategy compatibility that the student shows with their experience.
Communication style primarily and the pace of the sessions. I read a couple of books on empathy, communication, and negotiation techniques that, till now, have only been helping me in my day-to-day life and would make it easier for the student to follow through and communicate back.
I'm willing to work with the materials that the students provide or want to go over. It would be even better if the students sent them a bit before the tutoring session so I could give my best overview. Personally, the best practice is the IB past materials such as past exam papers or any IB teaching books. For languages, sometimes, I can pull up my own created assignments from the past.
She was nice and also patient. She didn’t mind explaining concepts a second time if I didn’t understand the first time. Also she took the time to create an effective summary note.