Become a Tutor

Peer tutors play a vital role in supporting students' language development through individualized tutoring, conversation tables, and resource facilitation. Their primary responsibility is to provide targeted language support to both students enrolled in language courses and independent learners, helping them develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Tutors foster an inclusive and communicative learning environment, collaborating with faculty to ensure tutoring aligns with course objectives. They also assist with outreach and engagement efforts, help maintain center resources, and guide students in navigating language learning tools. Additionally, tutors contribute to creating a welcoming and accessible space within the Excel Languages Center for all learners.

Peer Tutors play a vital role in supporting fellow students in achieving success in their target language studies. As part of a collaborative team at the Excel Languages Center (ELC) at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, tutors contribute to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment.

Responsibilities:

Tutoring and Academic Support

• Provide proactive and personalized tutoring in assigned subject(s)/course(s) to enhance student understanding and success.
• Host conversation tables to actively strengthen language skills in target language(s).
• Assist students with the use and troubleshooting of center technology, including hardware, software, language apps, course content platforms, and the UCCS portal.

Resource Management

• Check out media and resources to students, faculty, and staff as needed.
• Regularly update and maintain grammar worksheets, vocabulary lists, and other language learning resources.
• Share updates and suggestions for resource improvements with the Director for approval.

Student Engagement and Inclusion

• Greet students warmly and assist with the check-in process to ensure a welcoming environment.
• Support an inclusive learning atmosphere, celebrating diversity and student success.
• Foster a positive and encouraging relationship with students to build their confidence in language learning.

Building Connections with Faculty

• Arrange meetings with language faculty at the start of the semester, in coordination with the Director, to discuss tutoring strategies and semester plans.
• Collect syllabi, feedback, and conversation table schedules from faculty and relay them to the Director.
• Collaborate with faculty to align tutoring and outreach efforts with course goals.

Outreach and Marketing

• Assist with marketing ELC programs and services through class presentations, outreach events, and social media.
• Organize and maintain promotional materials for conversation tables and ELC events.
• Collaborate with language clubs and honor societies to promote events and activities.

Collaboration and Communication

• Use platforms such as Outlook and MS Teams to stay connected with the ELC team, faculty, and peers.
• Share ideas, updates, and feedback with the Director to ensure alignment with ELC goals.
• Coordinate with the Director and peers to improve existing programs and develop new initiatives to meet student needs.

Center Maintenance and Accessibility

• Maintain a clean, organized, and accessible learning space.
• Ensure all media and resources are properly stored and in working order.
• Assist in monitoring and troubleshooting center technology to minimize disruptions for students and staff.

Compliance and Documentation

• Adhere to FERPA regulations and confidentiality standards at all times.
• Complete and submit all required documentation, including timesheets, reports, and employee file documents, by established deadlines.
• Attend and actively participate in all mandatory trainings and meetings.

Support Roles

• Step in to fulfill the responsibilities of Academic Support and Student Engagement Assistants in their absence.
• Assist with additional ELC-related duties as assigned by the Director.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Intermediate-level proficiency in the relevant language, with a strong grasp of grammar mechanics and linguistic structure.
• Ability to explain language rules and concepts clearly to peers in an engaging and supportive manner.
• Demonstrated language skills through an evaluation process.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with relevant tools or platforms used for tutoring (e.g., Zoom, Teams, or language-specific software).
• Strong interpersonal and group communication skills to foster collaboration and support peer learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced fluency in the relevant language, including strong conversational and cultural competencies.
• Prior experience in tutoring, mentoring, or coaching others, with a proven ability to help peers succeed academically.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Active participation in campus and community events, showcasing leadership and engagement.
• Flexibility to maintain a schedule that includes availability for some evening and weekend hours as needed.

Tutor positions are open to currently enrolled UCCS students and are posted through the Student Employment Assistance Network (SEAN)—the campus job platform where students can apply for both on-campus and off-campus hourly or work-study positions.

Please submit a resume and two professional references outlining tutoring, teaching, or other relevant work experience to LangsCtr@uccs.edu

Additionally, in a separate document, please include:

• Name, email, phone
• Nine-digit student ID number
• Major/minor
• Year of study and expected graduation date
• Language area and skills (degree of fluency in speaking/reading/writing)
• Spring, summer and fall class schedule as known; note any days/times not available for tutoring
• If you hold an additional job on campus, please indicate the number of hours you work (there are maximum hours per week restrictions across all on campus jobs)