Summary:


       The reading for this week handled several different topics. It began with the identity behind every writer, how tutors can and should address these differing identities, as well as giving a few examples of tutors that have been put in these identifying situations. The focus then shifted towards multilingual writers and how tutors can best assist them in their writing. The reading emphasized one-on-one tutoring as opposed to a classroom setting, as this helps multilingual writers focus on what they need to fix or work on in their own writing, allowing them to go at their own pace. Additionally, the text urged tutors to: get acquainted with the writers, consider nonverbal cues, ask the writers what they want to work on and how, etc. Near the end of the reading, the text shifts towards covering tutoring men/women with disabilities such as deafness, dyslexia, and Attention-Deficit Disorder. In this case, the text advises that tutors be mindful and respectful to people with these disorders, and offer to assist in areas where they may have trouble as a result of their disability. For ADD in particular, the book recommends that tutors provide assistance to the writer in the form of keeping track of writing related materials, organization, and time management.

Comments:

       This reading provided excellent information on the topic of multilingual writers and writers with disabilities. As a native English speaker, and one who speaks no other languages fluently, the thought of being required to teach a non-English speaker myself is quite intimidating. However, I believe that some of the strategies set forth in our reading this week has helped assuage some of that anxiety, if only a little. As for the section on tutoring those with disabilities, I think it's quite important to be informed on how to help people with such conditions, as everyone should have the opportunity to be tutored. That opportunity shouldn't be taken away simply because the tutor is unsure of how to help a particular type of person. However, this can happen, so a question I have for this week is: what can be done if the regular strategies for helping someone with, say, ADD don't work? (i.e. you're trying to keep them on task, but they keep drifting off or losing interest.)

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