Volunteers Tutror Students

“Being able to receive help in English from native speakers will open many doors for me in the future,” Kloteld Zreneh says.

Kloteld is one of about 100 students who signed up for an English tutoring program this semester.

The English Department found it necessary to supplement the classroom experience with a more individualized or small group tutoring service for all the students who need or want it.

This realization led to the establishment a free tutoring service in English for the entire student body.

“We have noticed that more and more incoming students are less proficient in English and need to be placed in a course of intensive English,” the Chairperson Ms. Hanadi I. Younan said.

“Then, we soon realized that not only did we need two levels of English, one at the intensive level and another at the intermediate/pre-academic level; we also needed individualized tutoring to make-up for the gap in their knowledge of English.”

As Kloteld’s comment demonstrates, the reaction of the students who receive the service is very positive. They come to realize that the hours they spend with the tutors help them

advance their language skills at their own pace, support them in fulfilling the requirements of their courses, and equip them with life-long learning skills.

The program started three years ago with faculty in the English Department and a number of the Christian Brothers dedicating specific hours during the week for tutoring.

It expanded with the help of the Lasallian Brothers network; volunteer native speakers were recruited to help. Exceptional students in the English Department are also dedicating their time to tutor freshmen.

On any given day, the volunteers see up to 15 students and offer personalized

instruction. The whole endeavor is coordinated by one of the volunteers.

"Watching the students become more comfortable in English is rewarding,” said George, an American volunteer.

Brother Peter Iorlano, coordinator of Institutional Values and volunteers, adds “in the process, the volunteers had a more fulfilling experience than they expected both professionally and personally.”

The Brothers community on campus hosts the volunteers who come through the Lasallian network. The volunteers and retired Brothers constitute a dependable workforce.

10 BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY