Tutoring Nuggets

Body language speaks loudly. I have seen tutors who sit behind a desk with the tutee in front of them. To me, that shouts of "I have all the answers, just ask me the questions." I make a point to sit beside my tutee, and to turn to face him or her as much as possible, in the spirit of partnership. The last thing I want my tutee to think is that I am the oracle. For tutoring to be successful, as much of what I do well as a learner needs to be transfered to my tutee, depending upon his/her challenges and issues. If a tutee can't ultimately be a better self-sufficient learner because of me, then I don't see the point.