As Writing Centers begin to expand from the West to new international contexts, L2 tutors, instead of native speaker tutors, are now being hired. These tutors face distinct problems in tutoring EFL students and little research has been done on the types of challenges these tutors encounter or the implications these issues have for tutor development. This paper examines the types of problems L2 writing tutors face when tutoring EFL students and the role reflective journals plays in understanding these issues. Data was collected from five L2 writing tutors in the form of nine reflective journal entries, per tutor, over a two month period making for 45 in total. The results show that tutors had difficulty in distinguishing between lower order concerns (LOC) and higher order concerns (HOC). Tutors also expressed that they were often required to take on a didactic role through being asked to offer explicit knowledge about an assignment. It is argued that there are two potential benefits in utilizing L2 tutors: empathy for the tutee and explicit grammar knowledge. In the discussion, the author analyzes the experiences of the L2 writing tutors and explores the ways in which these insights can be useful to their professional development.
목차
Abstract INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW Research English as A Foreign Language Tutoring and Tutor Training Reflective Journals METHOD Participants Data Collection Analysis of the Data Limitations RESULTS The Writing Tutor’s Problems Where to start? Global or Local Concerns The Timing of the Intervention Didactic Role Lack of Tutor Knowledge about the Assignment Empathy for the Student Writer Communication Issues DISCUSSION Benefits of Hiring L2 Tutors CONCLUSION THE AUTHOR REFERENCES APPENDIX
The goals of Asia TEFL are to promote scholarship, disseminate information, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding among persons concerned with the teaching and learning of English in Asia. In order to accomplish this, Asia TEFL will pursue the following goals:
1. To link ELT professionals in joint research on issues and concerns regarding English teaching and learning in the Asian context.
2. To publish an academic journal, The Asia TEFL Journal, as an internationally recognized journal in the field of English language teaching.
3. To host conferences and seminars addressing important issues concerning ELT in Asia.
4. To develop proficiency guidelines and assessment methods designed for the needs of the Asian context.
5. To develop programs for Asian learners and teachers of English to build their English language proficiency and cultural understanding and provide them with the skills required to be efficient English teaching professionals.