What is the goal of the ICC tutoring program?

Tutoring appointments provide an excellent opportunity to get individualized feedback and practice, to work on specific problem areas of language and to practice the skills learned in ICC classes and workshops. During individual appointments, tutors can advise and counsel you on both language usage and communication strategies.

Given that many aspects of developing academic fluency and communication skiils are often better addressed and practiced in a classroom setting, tutoring is designed to supplement, but not replace, the larger ICC program of classes, workshops and seminars. Preference is given to students who also attend ICC classes and have been recommended to tutoring by an instructor for a specific area of support.

What language and communication skills are addressed in tutoring?

The following lists the skills tutors address in appointments:

• Pronunciation (stress and intonation, speed, volume, muscularity)
• Robust academic fluency: expressing your knowledge and ideas clearly in English. For example, you can practice:
  • explaining your field, research or class work
  • developing general academic fluency
  • giving presentations
• Listening: improving your understanding of native speakers by interacting in academic discussions with the tutor
• Grammar Monitoring: learning to recognize and correct your grammar errors (note: grammar monitoring requires that students be videotaped)
• ITA test preparation: practice explaining topics from your field to the tutor
• Developing communication strategies to compensate for your specific weaknesses

What skills are not addressed in tutoring?

Appointments are not designed for practice with survival English (e.g., ordering food in a restaurant). In addition, many skills such as presentation techniques, teaching techniques, and some aspects of pronunciation are better dealt with in the many on-going workshops and seminars offered by ICC. See our schedule for a detailed list of offerings each semester.

How to register for tutoring

Students are required to attend an information session, "Orientation to the ICC Tutoring Program", before being able to register for individual tutoring appointments. See our schedule for current dates and times.

Tutoring appointments last 40 minutes and are available Monday through Friday during the academic semester. Although students can register for one tutoring appointment each week, the demand for tutoring is very high and it may not be possible to attend tutoring weekly.

To make an appointment, visit our office or call the ICC at x8-4979 (no appointments are scheduled by email). Appointments are scheduled one week in advance, and a new schedule is available on Monday mornings.

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