Tutorial teaching

Tutors are experts in their field, and tutorials are a chance to get individualised teaching from world-leading academics. At least once a week in each subject studied, groups of two or three students will spend an hour with their tutor, discussing an essay or solutions to set problems.

A tutorial relies on the exchange of ideas between you, your tutor and other students. You need not be experienced in debating, you just need to be ready to present and substantiate your opinions, accept constructive criticism and listen to others. Tutorials are opportunities for tutors to help develop the skills to critically evaluate the topic being addressed.

This personalised attention means that you will face rigorous academic challenges on a weekly basis, facilitating your learning in a way that just is not possible in a lecture.

It also means that tutors are immediately aware if you need any extra support with any aspect of your course, so they can help you right away. Your tutor monitors your academic progress and encourages you to develop to your full potential.

In preparing for a tutorial, it is students’ responsibility to read the recommended material attentively. Students will often find that there is a lot of material to read and not all of it is relevant. One of the very important skills undergraduates need to develop is how to read thoughtfully, while skipping bits that are not relevant. ‘Skim reading’ is an important skill.

Tutorials develop your ability to think for yourself. It is not only an essential ability for academic success but also a skill that top employers look for in university graduates.

(a) Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text and in the video? (don’t forget to provide evidence):

TRUE	if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE	if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN	if there is no information on this

1. Tutorials are about developing the skills of critical thought and analysis. T

2. Tutorials are based around an essay, or questions and problems that undergraduates have been set the previous week.T

3. Students are asked to make a list of articles and books related to the topic.F

4. Tutorials provide opportunities for tutors to explain carefully what a student doesn’t understand or misunderstands.T

5. It is rare for newer universities in the UK to have the resources to offer individual tuition. NG?

6. Tutorials hinder rather than help develop independent thinking.F

7. During tutorials students should expect to have their ideas and arguments challenged, to be prepared to defend their position or to amend it as appropriate.F

(b) Complete the sentences. Use no more than four words from the text or the video.

1. ___Tutorials____________________ is at the core of teaching in Oxford.

2. A tutorial is a good way to ___explore____________________ the topic in depth.

3. For a tutorial you should write an essay of approximately ____two and half_______________ thousand words.

4. At the entrance interview tutors try to _________assess______________ whether an applicant is good at discussing things.

5. _____________. ‘Skim reading’ ____________ helps to cope with long lists of required reading.