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Myth-busting: What English tutoring at Action Tutoring really looks like

Have you ever felt unsure about what’s required from our English tutoring sessions? Want to find out what a session really involves? Read on as we work on myth-busting common misconceptions our tutors may have.

The first myth

Reality: Of course, we can definitely see this would make total sense. We’d like to reassure you, this is not the case!

At Action Tutoring, we provide detailed extracts along with an outline of how to explore the text. We always want tutors to be free of doing the heavy lifting.

Each session includes key vocabulary for both pupils and tutors to focus on. This greatly prepares you to unpack the text’s meaning and context. To hopefully reassure you, if English is your second language, this is totally fine with us. Our sessions focus on comprehension and reading fluency, meaning there is plenty of support in the workbooks to guide you. 

The second myth

Reality: We totally understand it would feel like this. Thankfully, in no way is this all on you, our tutor.

We design our resources with model responses and scaffolds that give pupils a starting point for their creative writing. These models are fantastic tools to springboard the pupil’s own ideas, enabling them to gain confidence and independence. With prompts and structured support, the pupils have a foundation to build on, helping them develop their creativity without feeling overwhelmed. This means you won’t feel overwhelmed either!

The third myth

Reality: Thankfully, we’ve got it covered, meaning there’s no need for you to be an expert!

The tutor workbooks are packed with answers, model responses, and step-by-step scaffolds that guide both you and the pupils. These resources help you explain difficult concepts and give you the tools to address misconceptions effectively. To hopefully reassure you, we don’t require tutors to have every answer memorised. The workbooks and materials are simply there to ensure you can guide the pupil to the correct answers together. This helpfully creates a learning environment where mistakes are part of the process (allowing pupils to learn from them).

The fourth myth

Reality: We’re delighted to go myth busting once again! English certainly is a wide and varied subject including much more than just rules and long written responses. 

At Action Tutoring, English sessions also explore comprehension, vocabulary, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Pupils learn how to approach a variety of texts, express their ideas clearly, and understand the world around them through language. We know it’s not all about essays! Ultimately, it’s about developing confident communicators who can engage with all forms of written and spoken language.

The fifth, and final, myth

Reality: English sessions are engaging and exciting!

We enable sessions to be interesting, vibrant and fun, by:

• Using a variety of texts
• Exploring creative activities
• Allowing pupils to express their opinions and ideas
• Providing interactive activities, discussions, and opportunities for pupils to share their voices

Essentially, pupils often become more excited about learning when they feel like they’re actively participating rather than just passively receiving information. The sessions are also a mixture of written and spoken responses. We truly believe in the research that proves learning can also be done through discussion, as well as written answers. 

Myth busting: In summary

By myth-busting and breaking down these misconceptions, we aim to show that tutoring English is a lot easier than it may seem.

With the resources, tools, and support provided, tutors can feel more confident and prepared to help pupils succeed. 

Remember: you’re not alone, and you don’t need to have all the answers. You’re there to guide, support, and help your pupils grow in their English skills.

Convinced and want to sign up?

International Literacy Day: Q&A with our Curriculum, Training & Quality Manager

8th September is International Literacy Day – an annual celebration of the transformative power of literacy and to raise awareness of the need to increase literacy levels across the world.

Literacy, as defined by the National Literacy Trust, is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that enables us to communicate effectively and make sense of the world around us. 

Being literate is crucial for everyone, both young and old, as it’s a gateway to a world of knowledge and empowers individuals across their lifetimes to make informed decisions. For children, it’s the foundation for all learning, fueling their dreams and aspirations. For adults, it’s a lifeline to personal development, better opportunities, and financial stability.

According to UNESCO, an estimated 763 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, with two-thirds being women. In England, 6.4% of adults representing 7.1 million people have ‘poor literacy skills.’

To mark International Literacy Day, we’ve asked our Curriculum, Training, and Quality Manager, Bethan Puig Nieves, a few questions on why literacy matters and what actions everyone can take to support it. Before joining Action Tutoring, Bethan previously taught secondary school English in multiple countries including Spain, Cuba, and the UK.

Why is literacy important today more than ever in education?

Being able to read confidently and communicate effectively are skills that form the foundation of success across all areas of the curriculum. Literacy is one of the vital tools to which pupils facing disadvantage might not have had as much access, which means it is all the more important that we emphasise the importance of being literate in education, and embed the development of these skills in everything we do.

Beyond education, how can literacy help people’s lives?

Being literate allows us to make sense of the world around us: it helps us to manage our finances, understand the job market, relate to a wider range of people, support the development of others, and evaluate the validity of what we see and hear in the media. All of these are essential for a happy and fulfilled life, especially in the world we live in today.

How does Action Tutoring ensure that the young people we support build on their literacy levels?

Literacy skills are embedded throughout our resources and workbooks. Examples include the discussion of ideas in texts, and working through word-based maths problems and tasks which improve the quality of writing for a range of useful purposes. Moreover, small group tutoring creates an environment where pupils who might not always get a chance for a detailed conversation with an educator will have the time to do so. This builds confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills – all vital for a successfully literate life.

As the world celebrates Literacy Day, what is your message or call to action for everyone?

Being literate is not a given, even in today’s world – those of us who have been able to learn to read, write, and communicate have huge advantages over those who haven’t. Literacy is also something that we can work on throughout our lives. Volunteering with Action tutoring is a great way to celebrate the privilege of literacy – by helping young people to build on what they can already do, equipping them with life-enhancing powers of communication and self-expression.

Building a more literate world

There have been significant strides in promoting literacy worldwide with many countries having improved its levels through enhanced access to education and innovative teaching methods. However, there’s more work to be done. 

Additionally, the digital age has ushered in a new era of the subject. Digital literacy is now as crucial as traditional reading and writing skills. It involves navigating the digital landscape and harnessing technology for personal and professional growth.

In a literate world, opportunities are more abundant, voices are heard, and barriers to economic growth are dismantled. Therefore, it’s a shared responsibility to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the chance to access the transformative power of being literate. 

Together, through concerted efforts in education and policy, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.