Peer tutoring opportunities as a student

今日は"Peer Tutoring"についてお話しします。直訳すると”同僚学生による授業”ですが、わかりにくいですよね。要は授業内容をよく理解している学生が苦戦している学生の学習をサポートする制度です。”tutor”つまり先生役の大学生が他の大学生を個別指導しその生徒の理解を高めてあげるということです。私たちの子供が、通っていたイギリスの大学でこのTutor役を経験したので知ることとなりました。日本にはない制度だと思います。大変驚きました。何とTutorをやると大学側から時間あたり12-3ポンドのバイト代程度の報酬ももらえるそうです。うちの子に概略を書いてもらったのでご紹介します。

Some universities provide students with the opportunity to help their peers with teaching support. In some cases there may be students who require extra support in their studies, but their professors may not have the time to provide it. Peer tutoring services are a solution to this problem.

How does peer tutoring work?

Students eligible to become peer tutors are usually high performing students who have achieved top scores in their classes. Universities may contact them to apply for peer tutoring positions, or they may volunteer themselves. Universities will often pay tutors (typically around minimum wage) for the work they do. Tutors will provide support in the subjects that they previoulsly scored well in, meaning they will often be in a higher year group than their students. These sessions are typically run in small groups or one on one. The university may provide teaching materials or the tutors will bring their own resources. Universities will usually provide a platform to organize the sessions, where tutors can post their availability and students can book sessions. 

Benefits of peer tutoring

Tutoring offers better flexibility than most common part time jobs for university students. Tutoring is less physically intensive and tutors don't have to spend extra time or money on commuting to work since sessions are usually held on campus. Teaching other students can even be good review for tutors themselves.  For students, peer tutoring is a way of receiving free, extra support for subjects they are struggling with. Professors tend to have busy schedules and may not always be available for students who need support. Since peer tutors have taken the same course as the student, they can relate to them, which can improve the learning experience and even help create new relationships and connections.