Summary, Scope, and Responsibilities
Student Writing & Language Center (SWLC) language tutors are empathetic listeners, self-reflective learners, and collaborative communicators dedicated to supporting their peers’ language-learning goals in entry- and mid-level language courses at Bates. Tutors are excited about both the language and the cultures in which those languages are spoken. They can help students interpret assignments, improve language study habits, practice and learn effective tools for speaking, reading, and/or writing in the language. The role involves practicing equity-minded and anti-oppressive tutoring while respecting linguistic diversity and supporting neurodiverse learners.
Language Tutors typically provide 4 to 6 hours of tutoring per week for any Bates student working on writing, reading, listening, or speaking assignments–or studying for tests and quizzes–in entry- and intermediate-level courses in the language. Click here to learn more.
The Basics
Department:Writing and Language Center
Supervisor:
Dr Bridget Fullerton
Office Location:
Coram 221
Email:
bfullert@bates.edu
Hours:
5
Workers:
8
Qualifications, Requirements, and Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Language tutors:
Attend a 6-hour paid orientation session on campus before the semester starts.
Attend 1-hour staff meetings and professional development workshops every other week.
Offer 4 to 6 hours/week of drop-in and appointment-based tutoring for the students in specific language courses as assigned by SWLC professional staff.
Establish and carry themselves across campus as ambassadors of SWL’s core values and as model language users, collaborators, and students.
Submit timely session reports, timesheets, and other administrative tasks.
Communicate efficiently with SWLC professional staff and fellow tutors.
Establish and maintain respectful and communicative relationships with language professors.
Prepare and conduct an initial class visit presentation to introduce themselves and our tutoring services to students in language courses.
Under the mentorship of SWLC professional staff, may design and deliver language-related workshops, presentations, handouts, and resources–and/or design and facilitate events–to support students learning the language.
Requirements
To apply for the role, applicants must:
Be a sophomore, junior, or senior next year (i.e. in the ‘25-’26 School Year).
Have declared a major or minor in the language at Bates.
Taken and earned a B or higher in several courses at Bates in the language for which they intend to be a tutor.
Have a level of comfort with 100- and 200-level course material and knowledge of grammar and conventions in the language.
Show a genuine interest in the cultures in which the language is spoken, as well the unique histories and people therein.
Have worked hard on improving their own language acquisition process and study skills, and are excited to support and collaborate with their peers in doing the same.
Be effective communicators, open to self-reflection, feedback, and lifelong learning.
Demonstrate curiosity about equity-minded and linguistically-just tutoring practices.
Reporting
Tutors work under the guidance of the Student Writing & Language Center professional staff, who provide ongoing feedback and support. They are part of a collaborative team with other SWLC Writing Tutors, W-CATs, Language Tutors, and SASC peer tutors at Bates College.
Working Conditions