1. Why did you think about becoming a tutor?
I applied for the tutor position when I was pursuing my Ph.D. at Waseda University. I was hoping to find a TA position that could not only utilize my then knowledge and skillset but also provides space to learn and improve.
2. What did you learn while working as a tutor?
I started at the Writing Center without much tutoring and teaching experience, so I was really grateful to go through a systematic training and evaluating processes to become a full-fledged tutor. Through the weekly tutor training, I learned how to properly diagnose the main issues of an academic paper, set the goal for the session and engage the writer to improve the paper together. The evaluating process refers to the two evaluations every new tutor needs to pass before turning into an independent tutor. It may seem difficult but the evaluations provide a wonderful opportunity to reflect on my abilities to apply the skills acquired from the tutor training to practice, and also to seek advice from veteran tutors and tutor peers for further improvement.
3. Can you explain in concrete terms how your experience as a tutor contributed to your current work?
The tutoring experience has contributed tremendously to my personal growth as a researcher and teacher. My academic writing and research skills have honed through reviewing the SILS (School of International Liberal Studies) academic writing textbooks as being part of the tutor training and tutorial practices. I also gained research insights while examining papers from different research fields and academic disciplines in a 45 minutes session. This one-to-one tutoring experience has further contributed to my understanding of teaching, which should be measured by an individual student’s ability and learning stage.
4. What is the most attractive part of being a tutor?
Diversity. I think the most attractive part of being a tutor is the diversity of students and tutors. The Waseda University Writing Center is open to all students and faculty members, so I got the privilege to work with students coming from different research disciplines and stages of their studies. The WC tutors are also out of diverse backgrounds and nationalities; it is definitely an international working environment!
5. What is your fondest memory of the Writing Center?
My fondest memory of the Writing Center is the friendship I have established with faculty members and tutor peers. It is so rare to find such a nurturing and supportive working environment: every one is nice and friendly, and as a tutor family we support each other’s research and work at the Center. I would definitely say that my four years’ working experience at the WC was an important part of my life in Japan.
Yiyin Ding
Year of Graduation：2016
Graduate Department：Graduate School of Sport Sciences
Current Work and Position：Lecturer, School of Physical Education and Health, Hangzhou Normal University
Session Categories in charge of EE & EC
＊Information is based on publication school year 2018.
