2011 YETP Summer Program 

By Masonya Bennett, International House Tutor

You may think of ESL tutoring as a waste of summer free time, but you won’t find a group of bored, sluggish kids at International House’s summer Youth English Tutoring Program. At Albemarle Road Elementary, students begin the day with a hearty breakfast provided by the school. After breakfast, YETP participants gather in the multi-purpose room where they get energized and ready for the day—as if they need extra energy! The real fun begins when the kids separate into groups headed by a trained ESL tutor. Read More ..

The students are divided into groups of four to six according to grade level; this way the children are guaranteed receive the specific attention they need. Tutors use text books, arts and crafts, and educational activities and games that engage students in language learning. Many tutors begin lessons with games such as “Who Am I?,” in which students act as characters from books, movies, and TV shows. Activities like this capture the children’s imagination and spark conversation. Discussing culture and family leads to further appreciation and understanding of each other’s background. From dynamic conversation and exciting games, students continue their lessons with activities to improve reading, phonics, grammar and writing.

After three hours of fun and intensive learning, students conclude the day with a healthy lunch. Anyone who says summer learning is boring hasn’t spent a day with International House’s students and tutors!