What Positive Impacts Does Peer Tutoring Have Upon The Peer Tutors at SQU?

Abstract

This paper attempts to provide an answer to the question: What positive impacts does peer tutoring have upon the peer tutors at SQU? It is conducted in the LC Tutorial Centre at Sultan Qaboos University where senior English language students are hired to tutor their peers who are struggling with the language. It sheds light on the peer tutors' academic, social, professional, psychological, and personal gains. Data were gathered from twenty-five currently employed peer tutors through a survey questionnaire and a group discussion. The study results prove the success of the adopted one-on-one peer-tutoring program in contributing to the peer tutors' development. The PTs benefited academically through the resources available in the TC and exchanging knowledge with their peers. They also found peer-tutoring a good chance to practice their language skills. Furthermore, the experience opened a horizon for students to expand their social network by making friendships with different students and staff. The PTs learnt to be more responsible, confident, patient, outgoing, and punctual. Most of all, the peer tutors explored the feelings of fulfillment and achievement through hearing positive feedback from their tutees and believing themselves to be productive members of SQU campus life and a reason for somebody's success in learning the English language. Keywords: Peer learning, Peer Tutoring, Peer Tutor, Tutorial, Tutorial Center, Tutor, SQU, Oman, Positive Impact, SQU, Oman. Abbreviations: PT (Peer tutor), SQU (Sultan Qaboos University), LC (Language Centre), SSU (Student Support Unit), TC (Tutorial Center), GPA (Grade Point Average