The January Tutor Talks session was filled with inspiring ideas for tutors seeking resources and creative ways to enhance their sessions. This blog highlights some of the key takeaways to help you support your student’s language-learning journey effectively.

Using Resources to Meet Goals
The suggestions and resources shared below are designed to help students achieve their language goals. These goals might range from general language usage and comprehension to more specific objectives like improving vocabulary or pronunciation.
Tutoring Topics
There are endless subjects you can explore with your students. Here are a few creative ideas from the Tutor Talks discussion:
Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs
Homonyms: Words with identical pronunciations but different spellings and meanings (e.g., to, too, and two). These can also include words with identical pronunciations and spellings but different meanings.
Homophones: Words that are spelled differently, pronounced the same, and have different meanings.
Homographs: Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and may or may not be pronounced the same way.
Understanding these types of words is essential for English language learners, even though they can be confusing. Integrating them into lessons can help demystify the nuances of English.
Words with Silent Letters
Silent letters can be particularly challenging for students learning to read and pronounce English. To add a touch of humor, consider sharing a comedy routine about silent letters from YouTube. Preview first - it's funny but fast!
Tutoring Strategies
Here are some practical strategies to incorporate into your sessions:
Pre-teach Vocabulary: Before reading an article, introduce 2-3 challenging words to familiarize students with key terms.
Interactive Media: When using videos or podcasts, slow down the speed, pause, and repeat. Encourage students to speak the words they hear and practice listening and speaking multiple times.
Resource Suggestions
These resources can enrich your sessions by adding variety, depth, and interest. Additional resources are available in the Tutor Hub and other blog posts. .
News-Based Learning
Use news articles or video clips as conversation starters. Select topics from North American local news, national news, or Israeli news.
Breaking News English: Offers reading and listening materials at six levels, available in both US and British English.
The New York Times Learning Network: Provides engaging content tailored for learners.
Idioms
English in a Minute: Short videos produced by Voice of America that explain common English idioms.
Literature
Young Adult Novels: Reading together can be a valuable activity. Students may be able to access English books from some Israeli libraries.
Entertainment
Movies and TV shows are universally loved. The Atlantic magazine often publishes in-depth articles on contemporary entertainment topics. While the language is advanced and idiomatic, selecting a few paragraphs to read together can be enjoyable for higher-level learners. (Note: A subscription may be required.)
The Bottom Line
The most important thing is to build your student’s confidence. Offer genuine compliments and encouragement, empathize with the challenges of learning English, and celebrate their progress. Every student’s journey is unique, and there are countless ways to achieve success. Keep exploring and innovating to make your sessions impactful and rewarding!