written responses

LIAISON: Come in and sit down, Lester...Sharon. I can see you’re keen to know more. To start with, I’d just like to say that we value volunteers highly and recognize their importance and assistance in the provision of quality education.
LESTER: Thank you...we’re looking forward to helping out, but what exactly can we do?
LIAISON: Volunteers can undertake a range of tasks...in general they enrich the English language programmed and complement the contributions of salaried staff members...
SHARON: Yes, but...what would we do specifically?
LIAISON: Oh, a variety of tasks, for instance, you can tutor individual students in reading...
LESTER: I thought that might be the case...
LIAISON: But...you can also help students edit their written responses.
LESTER: Great...Is that also a one-on-one activity?
LIAISON: Oh, yes, definitely; but volunteers are also called on to assist in designated classes...
SHARON: And, what exactly would we do there?
LIAISON: Well, it depends on the class of course, but usually you take on the role of an assistant.
LESTER: A teacher’s assistant?
LIAISON: Yes, that’s it.
SHARON: Sounds like fun and good preparation for our own careers.
LIAISON: Then, an enormous area of assistance is developing students’ organizational skills.
LESTER: Yes, I can imagine that’s why some of them are struggling in the first place.
LIAISON: There’s also the special needs unit. They always need volunteers there.
SHARON: But we have no training in special needs.
LIAISON: That’s not necessary. These students just really appreciate having any extra attention—sometimes help with the simplest things...like holding a pen correctly.
LESTER: Ah...well, that’s something all able-bodied students should learn. I’ve noticed some of the strangest pen grips amongst my peers and I’m sure they must end up with sore hand or shoulder muscles at the end of the day.
LIAISON: Yes. I’m sure you’re right. The other task I’d like you two to help out with is encouraging and improving the students’ work ethic.
SHARON: Oh, I can’t imagine that’ll be easy!
LIAISON: No, but it is important, and I can give you some training in that field.
LESTER: That’ll be good.
LIAISON: I should also point out that you’ll be working alongside quality teachers at times who are not only caring role-models but excellent motivators.
SHARON: Well, we should learn a lot from them.
LIAISON: Yes, the teachers you’ll be assigned to are innovative and very responsive to the different needs of individual students.
LESTER: If that’s true, they must be adept at a variety of teaching styles.
LIAISON: Quite right. You know, part of my mission is to forge close partnerships between experienced teachers and trainees like yourselves. As far as I can see everyone has something to gain from the exchange of information and skills--not just the students you’re helping.