Language Flagship Resources for
Tutoring
Planning
These modules cover everything you need to do before the lesson starts. Learn how to understand your learner’s needs, set achievable goals, select and organize your materials, structure your lesson time, and make the best use of technology for an effective and tutoring session.
Interaction During Sessions
This is your toolkit for what happens during the session. You’ll find practical “how-tos” for introducing new language, checking for true understanding, promoting speaking practice, and managing common challenges, like sessions with multiple learners.
Assessment
These modules address the basics of measuring a learner’s progress and providing effective feedback. You’ll learn how to understand different proficiency measures, integrate quick, useful assessment into your sessions, and deliver constructive feedback in a supportive way that promotes future learning.
Leveraging GenAI Tools
These modules introduce ways that Generative AI can enhance your tutoring practice. Each module demonstrates a use case from a Flagship tutoring program, integrating AI tools to support key language skills, like practicing reading strategies, teaching descriptions, and helping learners navigate complex, real-world communication scenarios with greater accuracy.
Tutoring Session Planning
Learn about the main parts of a tutoring session plan, and how to align them in your sessions.
Using Authentic Materials
Learn how to make real-life examples of language used by native speakers accessible to learners.
Incorporating Cultural Resources
Learn strategies for teaching about the target culture as well as politeness in the target language.
Incorporating Learners' Goals, Interests & Preferences
Learn about ways to motivate learners by connecting lessons to their goals and interests.
Technology To Support Learning
Learn about different types of technology tools, guidelines for choosing the right one, and activities to try in tutoring sessions.
Managing Tutoring Sessions
Learn strategies to get the most out of your limited time with a learner.
Prioritizing Learner Output
Learn about ways to get a learner speaking more.
Negotiating Meaning in the Target Language
Learn ways to help learners navigate confusion and communication breakdowns without using English.
Helping Learners Notice Forms
Learn strategies to draw learners’ attention to important words, grammar and expressions in target language materials.
Eliciting Target Language Forms
Learn strategies to get learners to use the words, grammar and expressions you want them to practice.
Facilitating Interaction
Learn strategies to facilitate interaction between learners during group tutoring sessions.
Understanding Proficiency Measures
Learn about how the ACTFL scale works, and how to use it to get your learners to higher proficiency.
Integrating Assessment
Learn about different types of assessments and how to use them in your tutoring sessions.
Providing Feedback
Learn about different types of corrective feedback and when to use which type.
Giving Negative Evaluations
Learn strategies for delivering negative evaluations in a culturally sensitive way.
Teaching Description I
Learn how to use image generators like Adobe Firefly to teach learners to give detailed descriptions in the target language.
Teaching Description II
Learn how to use image generators trained in the target language to enhance the target-likeness of learners’ descriptions.
Practicing Reading Strategies
Learn how AI-enhanced platforms like Diffit can help create tasks for learners to practice reading strategies.
Enhancing Learners' Accuracy in Navigating Complex Situations
Learn about tasks for improving learners’ accuracy with words and grammar when they navigate complex situations, using Canva AI.
Core Project Team
Sofiya Asher, Indiana University Russian Flagship Curriculum Coordinator and Senior Lecturer
Session Management Team and Social/Emotional Skills Team Affiliate
Ebrahim Bamanger, Indiana University Arabic Flagship Conversation Instructor and Instructional Designer
Technology Team and Pedagogy Team Affiliate
Hongrong Chen, Hunter College Chinese Flagship Instructor
Pedagogy Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Meredith Doubleday, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Russian Flagship Assistant Director
Technology Team and Social/Emotional Skills Team Affiliate
Xiaoyan Hu, University of Rhode Island Chinese Flagship Academic Director
Pedagogy Team and Session Management Team Affiliate
Lindsey Jamieson, University of Texas Portuguese Flagship Program Coordinator
Technology Team and Social/Emotional Skills Team Affiliate
Viviane de Souza Klen-Alves, University of Georgia Portuguese Flagship Teaching Assistant
Technology Team and Assessment Team Affiliate
Xiang Lyu, Indiana University Chinese Flagship Lecturer
Pedagogy Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Nader Morkus, Indiana University Arabic Flagship Academic Director
Technology Team and Pedagogy Team Affiliate
Tianyu Qin, University of North Georgia Chinese Flagship Academic Director
Pedagogy Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Nataliya Shpylova-Saeed, Indiana University Russian Flagship Tutor
Session Management Team and Social/Emotional Skills Team Affiliate
Samantha Sanders, University of Washington Chinese Flagship Program Coordinator
Session Management Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Anastasiya Lakhno Smith, University of Georgia Russian Flagship Instructor and Tutor
Assessment Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Yunhe Sun, University of Hawaii at Manoa Chinese Flagship Tutor
Assessment Team and Session Management Team Affiliate
Olga Thomason, University of Georgia Russian Flagship Associate Director
Pedagogy Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Yao Tu, University of Minnesota Chinese Flagship Associate Director
Assessment Team and Planning Team Affiliate
Anna Tumarkin, University of Wisconsin Madison Russian Flagship Associate Director
Assessment Team and Technology Team Affiliate
Molly Godwin-Jones, University of Hawaii at Manoa Tech Center Learning Design Specialist
Pedagogy Team Affiliate
Suzanne Freynik, University of Hawaii at Manoa Tech Center Learning Design Specialist
Learning Design Lead
Julio Rodriguez, University of Hawaii at Manoa Tech Center Director
Instructional Technology Lead
Video Credits
Jeanine Markley, University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii English Langauge Program Teacher and Tutor
Joanne Jeremie, University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii English Langauge Program Teacher and Tutor
Juan Miguel Vargas Cano, University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii English Langauge Program Student
Sari Umekawa, University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii English Langauge Program Student
This project was supported by a 3-year grant to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa from the Institute of International Education (IIE), acting as the administrative agent of the National Security Education Program (NSEP), Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) for The Language Flagship.
The Language Flagship is a national initiative to change the way Americans learn languages through a groundbreaking approach to language education through a network of programs at institutions of higher education across the United States. The Language Flagship graduates students who will take their place among the next generation of global professionals, commanding a superior level of proficiency in one of ten languages critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.
This website has been developed and is maintained by The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the position of policy of the U.S. government. No official government endorsement should be inferred.