Xela Armstrong, Dixie State University
Being an effective English Language teacher entails specific qualities. Understanding culture, English language, and the backgrounds of the students they teach are some of the qualities that first come to mind. An effective tutor for international students must hold similar qualities to ensure student learning. Students Helping English Languages Learners (SHELL) Program is a unique tutoring program for international students that provides current Elementary Education Program students the opportunity to experience both roles. As students, they study in the ESL endorsement courses which assists them to be an effective classroom teacher. The knowledge and skills acquired in the ESL endorsement courses provide the ability for the tutors to implement efficient and appropriate teaching strategies for the specific individual they are tutoring. As the tutors analyze their experiences, they learn that they are negotiating their identities as "teachers." They realize they are constantly changing and renegotiating who they are as teachers. Based on the foundations of qualitative research, this presentation will explore the phenomenon of identity transformation as the tutors interact closely with the international students.