What are some effective strategies to address social location and power dynamics in peer tutoring sessions?

1 Establish rapport

One of the first steps to address social location and power dynamics in peer tutoring sessions is to establish rapport with your tutee. Rapport is a sense of mutual trust, respect, and understanding that facilitates communication and cooperation. To build rapport, you can start by introducing yourself and your background, and asking your tutee to do the same. You can also use icebreakers, open-ended questions, and active listening skills to show interest and empathy. By establishing rapport, you can create a safe and comfortable space for your tutee to share their strengths, challenges, and goals.

2 Acknowledge diversity

Another important strategy to address social location and power dynamics in peer tutoring sessions is to acknowledge the diversity of your tutee and yourself. Diversity refers to the differences and similarities among people in terms of their social location and identity. To acknowledge diversity, you can be aware of your own assumptions, biases, and stereotypes, and avoid imposing them on your tutee. You can also recognize and appreciate the unique perspectives, experiences, and knowledge that your tutee brings to the session. By acknowledging diversity, you can foster a culture of inclusion and respect in your peer tutoring relationship.

3 Negotiate roles

A third effective strategy to address social location and power dynamics in peer tutoring sessions is to negotiate the roles of the tutor and the tutee. Roles refer to the expectations and responsibilities that each person has in the session. To negotiate roles, you can clarify the purpose and objectives of the session, and ask your tutee what they want and need from you. You can also discuss how you will work together, such as how much guidance, feedback, and support you will provide, and how you will handle disagreements or conflicts. By negotiating roles, you can promote a sense of agency and autonomy for your tutee, and avoid being too directive or passive.

4 Adapt strategies

A fourth effective strategy to address social location and power dynamics in peer tutoring sessions is to adapt your strategies to suit your tutee's learning style, preferences, and needs. Strategies refer to the methods and techniques that you use to facilitate learning, such as questioning, modeling, scaffolding, summarizing, and reflecting. To adapt your strategies, you can ask your tutee how they learn best, and what kind of resources, tools, and examples they find helpful. You can also observe and monitor your tutee's progress, and adjust your strategies accordingly. By adapting your strategies, you can enhance your tutee's engagement, motivation, and comprehension.

5 Share feedback

A fifth effective strategy to address social location and power dynamics in peer tutoring sessions is to share feedback with your tutee and solicit feedback from them. Feedback refers to the information and comments that you exchange with your tutee about their performance, strengths, weaknesses, and improvement. To share feedback, you can use positive and constructive language, focus on specific behaviors and outcomes, and provide suggestions and recommendations. To solicit feedback, you can ask your tutee how they feel about the session, what they learned, what they liked, and what they would like to change. By sharing feedback, you can reinforce your tutee's achievements, identify their areas of growth, and improve your own practice.