My English language institute offers tutoring services for international students in two forms: classroom tutoring and one-on-one conversation partners. The tutoring program has recently requested that an orientation program be designed for the university students who have signed up to be classroom tutors. As a group, we have met for about 3 hours together on December 6 and 17 and completed individual tasks outside of our meetings to bring this oral skills classroom tutor training orientation together.

Along with the tutoring office, my colleagues Beth Sheppard, Britt Johnson and I have drafted together an orientation program that includes explanations for where students’ listening and speaking skills are in each of the seven levels of our intensive program as well as some general information on professional conduct, basic pronunciation problem areas for our biggest populations of students, and how to properly handle situations of cross-cultural conflict if and when they present themselves in group discussions.

I have enjoyed designing this training to help classroom tutors understand more about their role as professionals as well as how to navigate the waters of cross cultural conflicts.