Peer tutors are at the heart of the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center's academic support programs. Peer tutors help students build on their academic strengths, overcome academic difficulties and develop effective strategies for reading, writing and thinking. In Wellesley's stimulating academic environment, faculty and staff encourage students to ask questions, to seek and give help to others, and to have sustained intellectual conversations outside as well as inside classes. Peer tutors contribute strongly to these activities.
Each year over 50% of the student body meet with peer tutors in tutoring sessions. Peer tutors support students facing serious academic difficulties in specific courses as well as those wishing to refine or expand their repertoire of study strategies or work in a collaborative environment. All tutoring services are free of charge. Peer tutoring programs are intended to complement but never replace direct assistance from professors.
Wellesley's peer tutors receive training through the PLTC and individual departments. The Department Training Manual 2008-2009 provides the foundation materials for training.
Department Tutors
Department Tutors are selected by faculty for their mastery of specific subject areas and their ability to communicate information clearly. Tutors are trained to assist students either individually or in small groups and are available on a drop in basis or by assignment.
Drop-In Tutoring: At the beginning of each semester all students, faculty and student services staff receive a Tutoring Schedule, detailing the drop-in tutoring options.
Assigned Tutoring: Students may request an individual tutor by completing a Tutor Request Form. The PLTC matches students with tutors, typically within 48 hours of a request.
The majority of peer tutors are hired in the spring of the previous year. Students complete the New Department Tutor or the Returning Tutor Application and submit them to the PLTC. Applications are be available each spring.
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