The Basic and Transitional Studies Division (BTSD) Tutoring Program provides one-on-one tutors and classroom assistants to students taking ESL, ABE and GED courses at Seattle Central College. Tutors and classroom assistants give students an opportunity to have more personalized instruction and play an important role in supporting students in achieving their goals.

Our goal is to help students develop their basic academic skills while also developing their ability to tell their stories and advocate for themselves.

Tutors are asked to commit to working with a student for one hour twice a week for at least two quarters. Many of our tutors have been volunteering with our program for years and are an important part of the community in the Basic and Transitional Studies Division.

Roles

Tutors provide one-on-one and/or small group assistance to students who are learning English or preparing for the GED or COMPASS test. Tutors help students understand basic reading, writing, grammatical, or math concepts and provide opportunities to practice the skills they are learning in class. Tutors work with students to develop activities that are relevant to the students’ needs and goals. Tutors generally meet with a student twice a week.

Classroom Assistants work with classroom teachers in ESL and ABE classes. Classes may focus on basic reading/writing, speaking/listening, computer skills, math, or communications. Classroom assistants provide extra help to students during class time. We place volunteers in classes based on the needs of the division as well as the interests and needs of the volunteer . We prefer candidates with previous teaching or tutoring experience, but can be flexible depending on your skills and interests. Ultimately, classroom assistants work out their schedule and role with the teacher that they are partnered with.

Learners

Our English as a Second Language students range from pre-literate in their own language and/or English to near-native speakers hoping to hone their academic and linguistic skills before continuing with their education or vocational training. All of the students who apply for tutors are eager to learn and grateful for the extra assistance outside of class that volunteers provide them. Tutors help students with pronunciation, conversation, grammar, spelling, reading comprehension, and writing development. The tutoring sessions are generally driven by the student’s homework or desire to improve a specific English skill.

Adult Basic Educationstudents are adults who are already proficient in the English language, but wish to improve their basic reading, writing, and math skills. Reading and writing are integrated to give students the foundation for effective communication. Reading instruction emphasizes comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, and study skills. Writing skills include the review and application of language and grammar rules, correct usage and spelling, writing sentences and paragraphs. Math instruction includes skills development in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers; fractions; decimals; percents; and introduction to algebra and geometry. Students often need help preparing for the GED or with homework comprehension.