Table Of Contents
Facilitating comprehension in tutorials
How can tutors assist students to listen effectively in tutorials?
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Be aware of the acoustics of the room you're in:
- Watch out for white noise from computers, overhead projectors, etc. This is often unnoticed, but can make listening significantly more difficult and more tiring. Turn such machines off, and notice the difference!
- Point out acoustic problems to the students from the beginning. This will:
- help to justify later interventions on your part, and
- reassure NNS students that their listening problems are not entirely due to their language deficits.
- If the problems are really bad, find another room (if you can).
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With NNS as with the deaf, lip-reading can help. Do what you can to ensure that everyone can see everyone else's face without strain.
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Control the pace of discussion in the classroom:
- Prevent speakers overlapping each other as far as possible (see the "groundrules for discussions" in Facilitating interaction).
- Writing notes on the board or on an overhead can help to control the pace, providing visual support/feedback at the same time.
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Keep an eye on students who have difficulty following discussions, and be ready to come in with a helpful question, clarification or rephrasing where it seems advisable.
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Display and add to glossaries in class.
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Where appropriate, utilise any AV materials (maps, charts, ...) or other realia that might help to focus discussion and aid comprehension.
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