Ofunne Mordi

I am a first year student at the University of Warwick studying Spanish, French and Chinese. I am studying Spanish from an advanced level (post A-level) and French and Chinese from a beginner’s level, though I previously studied French in secondary school.

In Year 13 I was a senior student (similar to a prefect) for academic mentoring. This meant that part of my responsibility was to act as a mentor for lower school students, as well as for new Year 12 students. I was also responsible for setting up mentorship schemes between other students. I helped to set up and took part in a mentorship scheme for A-level language students and GCSE students. I also currently mentor Year 10 students in Spanish as part of a widening participation scheme.

During a tutoring session, I first ask the student if they have any knowledge of the topic being taught. Then I would use a slideshow to teach the content that they don’t know, and work sheets to consolidate their knowledge. At the end of a session I ask students if there is anything particular that they struggle with so that we can go through it during the session. Tutoring would be done mostly in the target language in order to help the student with aural and oral skills, though if possible and necessary I would speak in their native language for clarification.

To me, a good session should have a healthy balance of learning and enjoyment. Most students find it more difficult to learn when they don’t enjoy the topic or the teaching method, but it is also important to still have a productive session. One way to implement this is by making the session interactive through the use of questions and other activities that the student can complete throughout the slideshow.