How much do I have to tutor during the semester?
Students tutor for at least 2 hours per week for 10 weeks, totaling to a miniumum of 20 hours throughout the semster.
Where will I teach?
Students have the option of tutoring at one (or more) of our community partner sites throughout Philadelphia. See our Community Partner List for details.
Do I have to be a trained teacher or have experience teaching in order to tutor for Project SHINE?
No. Project SHINE provides required training for all tutors. It is a good opportunity to try out teaching one-on-one or small groups, especially if you are interested in becoming a teacher or going into the field of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
Do I have to be a native-speaker of English to tutor with Project SHINE?
No. Project SHINE welcomes non-native speakers of English, international students, bilingual students, and students who are studying other languages. Your skills are welcomed and will be a valuable asset to the program.
Why does Project SHINE require training?
Teaching and tutoring are learned skills. Training can help you get ideas for how to best meet your learners' needs. SHINE training topics include an overview of SHINE, a brief introduction to language learning, a sample beginner lesson modeled in a language other than English, practicing a sample first-day lesson plan, overview of the citizenship process and "100 questions" asked by the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) during the citizenship interview, program requirements, and more.
If I miss the first training, can I still tutor with Project SHINE?
No. Training is a prerequisite to participating in Project SHINE.
Do training hours count as part of the required 20-hour service for SHINE?
No. Project SHINE requires a minimum of 20 hours of tutoring with learners. However, the training and tutor hours combined may meet the service-learning requirement as outlined by some courses. Please see your professor regarding specific course requirements.
Can I tutor more than the required 10 weeks, 2 hours per week?
Yes. Tutors can usually arrange to tutor more hours per week, either with the same learner or group of learners or at different sites. Tutors can also continue beyond the semester, as long as it is arranged with community partners, learners, and Project SHINE.
Can I tutor whenever I want?
Not exactly. While we have a wide range of schedules across the whole program, our Community Partners determine the schedules that best serve the learners needs at their sites. Hours cannot be set up on an individual basis. There are a variety of time slots available, but you must commit to tutoring at the same time each week.
How do I choose a site where I will tutor?
You can look at the site descriptions in the Community Partners section of this website for locations, schedules, and more information about the sites. You can contact the Program Coordinator by phone (215-204-8570) or e-mail (prjshine@temple.edu) to ask for more information. Your choice of site may depend on your schedule, interest in a particular neighborhood or community, or type of requirements you need to meet for your coursework.
What is the difference between tutoring and coaching?
Tutors work independently with learners in small groups or one-on-one. While there is usually a site staff person or Project SHINE site coordinator there, tutors plan their own lessons and work with their learners without the direction of an ESL teacher. Coaches work within existing classes with ESL teachers. Coaches and ESL teachers work together to decide the coach's role in the class, which may be floating around the class and helping various learners or being assigned a small group of learners to work with each week.
If I am participating in SHINE this semester through a class, can I continue tutoring with SHINE in the future?
Yes. If you are interested in continuing with Project SHINE, you should contact the Project Coordinator to make arrangements. You may also be able to use your work-study hours or receive a stipend for special responsibilities and skills.
Can I tutor fewer than the required 10 weeks, 2 hours per week?
No. Project SHINE requires a minimum number of tutoring hours, to ensure that the learners we serve get at least 20 hours of instruction each semester. Language learning is not easy, and 20 hours is the minimum necessary to show any kind of results.
Can I get paid for tutoring?
You may be able to participate in Project SHINE through work-study. You should contact Student Financial Services at 215-204-2244, or go to the ground floor of Conwell Hall and ask if you are eligible for work-study. Contact SHINE with any questions as well.
What if I participate in the training, start tutoring, but have to drop out of the program?
Tutors should contact the Program Coordinator before withdrawing from the program, so that all constituents (learners, community partners, and faculty) can be notified. In most cases, tutors will not need to repeat the first training if they decide to sign up for Project SHINE the following semester.
