If your browser does not support current web standards you will not be able to view this page as it was designed. Please consider upgrading to a standards-compliant version.

Hopelink Adult Education Tutor Support Hopelink/Adult Education Hopelink Adult Education Tutor Support

Tutoring FAQ

How do I keep my student motivated? The best way to motivate your student is by carefully planning lessons focused on your student's interests and goals, making sure that your student experiences lots of success.

What if my student seems unable to concentrate? Occasionally students come to us with many problems in addition to their academic ones. Sometimes these problems need to be dealt with before real earning can take place. Please remember that your primary responsibility is to tutor your student. Solving the other problems is best left to experts, and we have many good sources for referrals. Consult a staff member to determine how to handle this type of concern.

What do I do if my student wants to discuss personal issues rather than do work? Sometimes our students come to tutoring with non-literacy issues that need to be resolved. As you become better acquainted with your student, s/he may want to discuss these issues with you. Please remember that you are a literacy tutor and not a trained counselor. We have lots of referral sources for our students and staff will help find the right one. You can listen if you choose, but then tactfully redirect the student's attention to the lesson. Alert Hopelink Adult Education staff to the situation so that appropriate help can be found.

My student has difficulty retaining information. What should I do? Many of our students have this difficulty. One thing you can do as a tutor is to make sure that your lessons include adequate repetition and review. Generally the amount of repetition needed far exceeds your expectations. Teaching new skills directly in a carefully sequenced manner is also helpful. Also you may need to consider whether you are teaching to your student's preferred learning style.

I think my student may have learning disabilities. What should I do? Many of our students probably have undiagnosed learning challenges. See the Special Needs section of this web site.

What if either of us has to cancel a session? Arrange ahead of time for emergencies. People sometimes get ill, have to travel for work, or have other emergencies like car problems. Try to notify your student as far ahead as possible, and ask your student to do the same for you. In the event you cannot connect, notify staff and they will try to help you.

What happens if my student fails to show up? The first thing you would do is to try to contact your student by phone. Remember, you should have exchanged telephone numbers at your first meeting - if not, or if you forget the number, a staff member can look it up for you. Should this pattern continue contact a staff member.

What should I do if my student doesn't do homework? Talk to your student about it. Consider the difficulty level of the assigned work. You will not be there to assist your student so all the work you send home should be at his/her independent reading level. Or your student may just be too busy to do work at home. In this case you have to work extra hard to capitalize on the time you have together.

My student asked if we could meet at my home or his/her home for tutoring. Is this a good idea? No - both you and your student signed an agreement that said you would tutor in a public place. We ask that you keep this commitment.

My student sometimes brings children to tutoring. What should I do? We do not encourage students to bring their children to tutoring because this makes it difficult for students and tutors to concentrate. Occasionally older children can work quietly while their parent receives tutoring, but most often the presence of children is very distracting for everyone. Perhaps you could suggest meeting at another time which is more convenient, perhaps when someone would be home to care for the children, or perhaps your student could trade babysitting with a neighbor. If this continues to be a problem, contact a staff member who will help your student figure out a solution.

I have been working with my student for a long time and he/she has made very little progress. What should I do? If you are concerned about your student's progress, please contact a staff member. Further assessment is probably needed to determine some more effective strategies. Quite possibly your student may need some other type of intervention.

My student seems to have no clear goals anymore (assuming that the initial goals have been reached). How can I help? Talk to your student and express your concern. Offer to help him/her set new goals. You will probably need to consult with a staff member if you are unable to determine new goals. Sometimes students need a little help in the decision to "move on."

I need to talk to someone about my student. Who do I call? You can email or telephone directly to a staff member.


Getting Started with a New Student

If you've just been matched with a new student, you may be wondering how to prepare and what to expect at your first meeting. Here are some tips and reminders.

Hopelink Adult Education | Copyright © 2011 Hopelink
Toll free: 800.870.1912
Kirkland/Northshore
11011 120th Avenue NE
Kirkland WA 98033
425.889.7880
Sno-Valley
31957 E. Commercial Street
Carnation WA 98014
425.333.4417
North King County/Shoreline
15809 Westminster Way NE
Shoreline WA 98133
206.440.7300