What to Know About English Language Arts Tutoring

In this post, we’ll dive deeper into ELA tutoring. What is ELA tutoring? How will having a tutor benefit you? 

English Language Arts

ELA stands for English language arts, which is taught across the US to students from elementary to high school. The topics studied at each level focus on specific areas of the English language, ranging from grammar to vocabulary. Overall, during these classes, students learn how to read, write, and analyze various works in English literature. 

An ELA tutor is someone who helps students better understand this subject outside of the classroom. Because language arts requires analysis, a deeper knowledge of grammar and interpretation of texts, many students struggle with certain aspects of comprehension. A tutor pays attention to the needs of students and helps them improve their English comprehension skills. ELA tutoring is mostly done individually or in small groups to ensure students get enough attention. For many children, learning in a classroom is not enough because teachers must attend to several students in a short time. Also, a classroom teacher is bound by a curriculum that needs to be taught within a certain time frame and is not always able to further explain concepts when a pupil is struggling to understand. 

By hiring a tutor, parents and guardians receive a professional instructor who allots dedicated time to spend with students practicing topics covered in the classroom. This enables students to work at a more comfortable pace and fill in any learning gaps that may exist regarding reading comprehension or understanding complex grammar topics.  

ELA in Elementary School 

The elementary school years are critical for young learners. Students are taught the basic concepts of how to read and write during this time. Once this foundation is laid, students will then benefit from that knowledge as they continue in their school curriculum and improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills. 

Some children begin elementary school already knowing how to read. Others need more time to understand and excel in this area. Tutoring plays an important role in helping children, especially those needing more attention, stay on track. 

During first grade, students learn the alphabet and how to recognize and use the different letters to form grade-appropriate words. During this process, student develop their vocabulary as they learn how to read short texts. After reading a story, students should then be able to give a brief summary of what the story was about to better assess their comprehension. 

Considerable attention is given to vocabulary expansion and using English grammar. 

An experienced tutor will help improve students' language skills through various engaging activities to make the learning process fun. This may include incorporating vocabulary puzzles, spelling games, or word scrambles in the mix.

Additionally, the tutor can read texts with students to improve their reading ability and grow their vocabulary. While reading texts together, the tutor can ask specific questions to see how much of the passage was understood. If there were any learning deficiencies or parts unclear to the child, the tutor can use several strategies to help deepen the child’s understanding through the use of context clues. While reading, a good tutor also pays attention to ensuring students pronounce words correctly and connect the right sounds to the vowels and consonants shown on the page.

Besides reading, a tutor can also help students with writing by providing them with prompts to get their creative juices flowing. After writing, the tutor will review and edit the text with students so that they learn specific areas needing improvement. 

English Language Arts in Middle School

ELA classes in middle school focus on deepening each student’s grammar knowledge. Also, students learn to analyze texts and think more critically. During elementary school, students practiced and improved their fluency in the English language. In middle school, they interpret classic and modern literary works and answer questions surrounding author’s purpose, theme, and character analysis. Furthermore, learners form their own opinions about texts and are taught how to justify their claims using appropriate evidence. 

In middle school, students improve their writing skills through various research assignments based on topics assigned or of their choosing. From informational to persuasive essays, students receive opportunities to expand their writing skills at this level. 

For students struggling with literary analysis, a trained tutor can help guide them in what to look for when reading texts. The tutor can also ask questions after reading the text to make sure students understood what was read and challenge them to think deeper about the texts. Tutors can assist students in essay writing by reviewing the pieces together and performing necessary edits with learners. Both reading and writing with students improves their understanding of the form and function of words, punctuation, and other grammar aspects in English. 

ELA in High School 

In high school, students should be able to read and understand more challenging non-fiction texts in a range of subjects from science to history. When writing their own texts, they must use reliable sources to make and defend their arguments. By the end of their senior year of high school, students should possess advanced critical thinking and analytical skills that they will rely on if they continue on to college. Because of the complexity of the texts students have to read, special attention is paid to expanding their vocabulary. 

Since students should be able to review texts on their own, a tutor will probe learners regarding what to look for when reviewing texts and how to make sure their written analyses are error-free. Additionally, a tutor will help students at the high school level prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Students are encouraged to do some form of test prep so that they know what to expect when they take these exams.

Benefits of Having an ELA Tutor

For students who are struggling in their English language arts classes, a professional tutor can be of great assistance to help them improve their skills and overall academic performance. 

Even children are thriving in language arts, good tutors will help them further enhance their critical thinking. 

One benefit of hiring an ELA tutor is having a designated individual to give your child the attention needed to thrive academically. Experienced tutors are familiar with pedagogy and teaching methods that suit varying learning styles. This allows them to create customized lessons to meet the specific needs of your learner. 

Sometimes, because of receiving less-than-stellar grades, a student’s self-esteem might be low. However, the right tutor will study your child’s particular learning style and help build their self-esteem. Students who once disliked ELA will begin to see the fruits of their labor as their grades improve. 

Tutoring is an excellent idea to help your student enjoy ELA classes. When it is done in an engaging way, students can play games while improving their vocabulary and developing their comprehension. As a result, students will no longer see their ELA classes as boring or overwhelming. Instead, they will look forward to applying what their tutor has taught them to what they learn in the classroom.

Tutoring also prepares students for standardized exams that can help them if they pursue further studies beyond high school. 

Takeaway

English language arts tutors provide students personalized attention in areas where further assistance is needed most. Tutors do this with students by reading texts, giving writing assignments, and reviewing any errors or omissions together. Tutors aid in improving students’ vocabulary and grammar usage and preparing them for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. The skills tutors pass on to their students can even help learners for life after high school. Students sometimes need support from a tutor to practice a little more outside of the classroom setting. Tutors devote dedicated time to learners to give them the attention they need to do well in school.

At Speak Write Play, we would love to help you find the right tutor for your student! 

Our reputable tutoring services are guaranteed to deliver noticeable results within one marking period.