Do not be afraid to talk about personal things and topics that may be considered inappropriate for school. Some of our best class discussions stemmed from conversions about partying or slang for example, which could lead to conversations about major differences in our cultures.
It was important for me to realize that this wasn't my class, and I needed to respect the teacher's way of doing things. Once I started really working with the teacher, the class went more smoothly and was probably more beneficial for the students. So my advice would be to work with the teacher, if he/she is willing.
Create interactive lessons that involve competitions, prizes and entertainment. For most of my lessons, I made PowerPoint presentations on subject matter my students had expressed interest in at the beginning of the semester. (NOTE: I strongly advise handing out a questionnaire on the first day so you have an idea of what they already know/want to learn about American culture) Slang, idioms, metaphor/synonym phrases used in conversational English, etc... these were all topics that held the interest of my class of 17-year-olds. I incorporated a lot of photo and video to hold their attention, and playing guessing games that allowed them to be a little louder and boisterous (which was their natural state, it seemed) but still be on task was really helpful. Try to channel the natural energy of the class – for mine, this was rambunctious – into a positive opportunity for learning during the class time. I never tried to force them to sit still and be quiet all of class, but rather tried to find creative ways for them to be themselves but still learn about English. (TIP: email your class' professor days in advance about booking the lab room , where you can display your PowerPoint on a big screen. They need to sign up to use the space ahead of time)
You do not need to know Italian do be a tutor and that the school is so close to Temple and you only need to do 1 hour a week: JUST DO IT. You will never get another opportunity to go to a real Italian public high school and interact with native Italians close to your age. Even on the days when I felt like taking a nap instead of going to see my class, I walked away from my sessions feeling so glad that I went. If you're worried about not being able to fit it into your schedule then don't. One hour a week was very doable for me this semester with 5 classes.
Be honest with yourself and with your students. If you don’t know something tell them! Try to learn about it so you can explain it during your next meeting. Also, don’t be afraid to share your opinion and be open with them. The more you share the more comfortable your students will be to share with you.
Don't be afraid to speak with the teacher about your ideas and your thoughts for the class. The teacher that I had was very strict and was teaching the students topics that had nothing to do with American culture. If I did not speak up the students would not have learned anything new. In the end the teacher and students loved my ideas and everyone was happy! So I would tell future tutors to speak up if they have a fun lesson idea for the class that can be tailored to the teacher's ideas as well as the interests of the kids!
Be willing to teach in different ways, make it fun for them and it will be equally as fun for you!
Try not to be intimidated by the students--in the beginning, they stare a lot and it is harder to get them to talk. Use a lot of visuals when explaining things to them, it is most effective.
Be open minded about the students; they might take a little time to warm up to you. Second come prepared with material for them to actively engage with you in. Third be honest and have a good time, you'll get out of it what you put into it. Lastly Have fun It is a fun place full of energy.
You are a resource for these students to really learn about the American culture, and more specifically the way the English language is spoken between native speakers. Try to interact with them and have them doing things completely different than their professor would typically do. It will make your presence anticipated. Also develop a relationship with the students. They are very smart and all of my students were hilarious too. Sometimes the conversations are very valuable to compare social norms. A few conversations in my class lead to such issues as gun control, teenage pregnancy and government censorship.
Talk to your professor and get a feel for their teaching style first. My professor liked to have a lesson plan but also got very excited when I would pose ideas for class discussions or when I would show pictures to the class and explain American culture to them. Don't be shy and don't be afraid. The Italian students are going to be way cooler than you but it’s okay because they love American culture and want to learn everything about you. So do not be intimidated.