Tutoring: A Tool For Success
Why Use Tutoring?
Why Use Tutoring?
Tutoring gets results! As with anything in life, you only get out of it what you put into it. To get the most out of tutoring, you need to come prepared and work hard when you meet with a tutor. But if you apply yourself, you’ll reap the academic rewards.
Consider this:
- Studies show students who attend more repeat tutoring visits (4 or more) in a semester will receive better grade outcomes than students who attend less to none. They also tend to improve from course to course within a sequence.
- Studies also show students who participate in specialized cohort interventions such as those that provide constant engagement with support, successful college habits/skills and learning strategies, have even higher rates of successful grade outcomes, retention and graduation rates.
- This past Spring 2019 semester, the MLC calculated students who attended at least 4 or more tutoring appointments for Arabic, Chinese, French, and Italian received more successful grade outcomes (C or higher) than students who attended zero appointments in the same languages.
- Average difference for the individual language courses (SP19) ~ 13.00%
- This past Fall 2019 semester, the MLC calculated students who attended at last 4 or more tutoring appointments for French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish received more successful grade outcomes (C or higher) than students who attended zero appointments in the same languages.
- Average difference for the individual language courses (FA19) ~ 12.11%
- This past Fall 2020 semester, the MLC calculated students who attended at last 4 or more tutoring appointments across all supported languages received more successful grade outcomes (C or higher) – 9.89%. This is due to the positive correlations between 4 or more tutoring visits and successful grade outcomes (C or higher) for Chinese, French, German, and Spanish compared to students who attended zero appointments in the same languages.
- Average difference for the individual language courses (FA20) ~ 15.34%
- This past Spring 2021 semester, the MLC calculated students who attended at last 4 or more tutoring appointments across all supported languages received more successful grade outcomes (C or higher) – 10.28%. This is due to the positive correlations between 4 or more tutoring visits and successful grade outcomes (C or higher) for Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish compared to students who attended zero appointments in the same languages.
- Average difference for the individual language courses (SP21) ~ 17.08%
- Average difference for the individual language courses (SP21) ~ 17.08%
- More successful grades are the key to improved retention rates and graduation rates.
- Leadership, a transition/adaptation in center operations, improved tutor training focusing on constructive meta-cognitive learning strategies as well as customer service skills for both tutors and receptionists, increased collaboration with Modern Languages & Literatures department (MLL) & Faculty, and increased outreach to students & the campus at large to raise awareness of our center’s services and resources have helped increase repeat tutoring visits, which positively correlates to more successful grade outcomes, since Spring 2019.
- ~44% more students who attended four or more tutoring appointments received successful grade outcomes in the SP19 compared to FA18.
- ~95.53% & ~91.99% more students who attended four or more tutoring appointments received successful grade outcomes in the FA19 compared to FA18 and SP19 respectively.
- ~1,866.1% more students who attended four or more tutoring appointments received successful grade outcomes in the FA20 compared to FA19
- ~150.29% more students who attended four or more tutoring appointments received successful grade outcomes in the SP21 compared to SP20
- DFWI rates have decreased between FA18 & SP19
- All languages/All students: -7.82%
- All languages/4 or more visits: -25%
- All languages/less the 4 visits: -23%
- All languages/zero visits: -7.02%
- DFWI rates have also decreased in FA19 for both categories of tutoring visits compared to FA18 and SP19. This demonstrates tutoring, with all of the changes and collaboration with the MLL department & Faculty mentioned above, has a significant effect in helping lower DFWI rates.
- FA19 compared to FA18
- All languages/All students: 3.91%
- All languages/4 or more visits: -52.21%
- All languages/less the 4 visits: -63.56%
- All languages/zero visits: 10.53%
- FA19 compared to SP19
- All languages/All students: 12.73%
- All languages/4 or more visits: -35.66%
- All languages/less the 4 visits: -52.10%
- All languages/zero visits: 18.87%
- FA19 compared to FA18
- DFWI rates have decreased between FA20 & SP21.
- All languages/All students: -13.43%
- All languages/4 or more visits: -28.42%
- All languages/less the 4 visits: -33.56%
- All languages/zero visits: -14.03%
If I use a tutor, isn’t that a sign that I’m weak or not smart enough?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
It is not true that some students are smart and others are not. Success is learned! - its time, effort, and strategy applied across the breadth and depth of your learning process.
Students at every level come for tutoring. Academic support is a tool for success just like the gym is a tool to be healthier. You would never say going to the gym because you want to be healthy is a sign of weakness. People are inspired and encouraged by those who go to the gym just as people should be inspired and encouraged by those who go to tutoring. Needing some extra help with college subjects is the norm. It is not a sign of weakness or a lack of “smartness.”
In fact, just the opposite is true: Taking advantage of the free campus resources to help you succeed is a sign that you’re motivated towards improvement by expanding your active learning environment. This fosters the mastery oriented response resulting in an improved independent learner!
What services and resources does the MLC offer?
Small Group Tutoring: Call, stop by, or log on to EAB Navigate to schedule some tutoring appointments. You will work with trained tutors who will provide you with constructive learning support for Arabic, Chinese, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese & Spanish.
The groups are very small: only two students per session (for online appointment during Hybrid Learning), and the other student in your session is always taking the same course. In-person session are one-on-one during Hybrid Learning. Appointments last for one hour. There is no limit to the number of tutoring sessions you can have in a semester, but you should plan ahead to get the days and times you prefer. You should also know there are thirty-minute sessions, which are one-on-one since they are much shorter than the full hour appointments.
You also have the option to participate in Conversation Tables. This requires at least two students in the same language, which you will sit with a tutor to only talk in the target language across a variety of topics in order to improve the broader part of your speaking and listening proficiency.
Language +: You can also sign up for one-on-one sessions through our Language + program. If you are unhappy with your first exam grade and want to improve in the areas you are struggling with, your professor can provide you with a referral to sign up. These sessions are an hour long and they are scheduled until the end of the semester so you have a dedicated weekly one-on-one tutoring session.
Textbook Resources and Free Duolingo Access: Check out hardcopy resources (Textbooks) to practice with language content in your tutoring session or for private study.
You can also request information on setting up a Duolingo account at the front desk. The software provides support in all of the above languages offered at the college. It’s free and can be accessed off campus.
Language Placement Exam: If you are required to take a placement exam in the language of your choice, you can do so with the MLC. The exam is designed to place students in a language level correlating with the level of their language proficiency. Note: the exam is required for Spanish and French, and any language above 101.
Computer Lab: You can also stop by the center if you need a computer to complete digital assignments such as homework, check your email, or print. The lab is a fully functional student networked printing location. All of the computers are Windows PCs. They are fast and efficient for all of your digital needs.
Workshops: These are large group sessions offered typically toward the middle and/or end of the semester covering semesterly review or more topic specific to help with your preparation for your finals. Workshops usually take place virtually/online or in classrooms outside of the MLC.
Window View: The MLC has a large and captivating window view of the Hudson. Come enjoy the view with plenty of sun light to help you relax and learn.
How do I get the most out of tutoring?
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Come early! Come often!
- Students who begin tutoring from the beginning of the semester typically do better than those who wait.
- Students who begin tutoring from the beginning of the semester typically do better than those who wait.
- Book your appointments early.
- During peak times in the semester, you may need to book at least a week in advance to get the times you prefer.
- During peak times in the semester, you may need to book at least a week in advance to get the times you prefer.
- Come prepared.
- Please bring your class notes, textbook, and any material you are using as part of your course learning. Look over the readings and try working on problems in advance. If you can, bring a list of specific questions based on the problems or sections you’ve been practicing on. The more you prepare, the more you will get out of the session.
- Please bring your class notes, textbook, and any material you are using as part of your course learning. Look over the readings and try working on problems in advance. If you can, bring a list of specific questions based on the problems or sections you’ve been practicing on. The more you prepare, the more you will get out of the session.
- If you miss a class, get the notes from a classmate, or reach out to your instructor, or check your blackboard before your tutoring session. Tutoring is not a substitute for attending class. It’s an addition to your learning!
Thank You, MLC
Updated Fall 2022