On Feb. 5, the NYU Abu Dhabi Writing Center announced the launch of the new Peer Tutor program. Currently, six students work as peer tutors and come from various academic disciplines, including economics, literature, science, social science and engineering.

“The idea of peer tutoring has been brought up several times before, yet it was not easy to start the program,” said Associate Director for the Writing Center Ken Nielsen.

The low number of students who stay in Abu Dhabi for an entire academic year has hampered the implementation of the program, which requires a year-long commitment.

Applications opened in early October 2016 and eight tutors were hired by the end of the month. Writing Instructor Anna Pedersen coordinated the program and explained that tutors were assessed on their approachability, feedback and interest in writing. The applicants were asked to conduct a mock consultation, in which they acted as tutors. Out of the eight tutors, two are currently studying abroad and six tutors are working at the writing center.

Alongside regular consultation hours, peer tutors must attend a weekly one-hour seminar which covers the pedagogy of writing instruction and practical strategies for consultations. Monika Filipovska, one of the peer tutors, reflected on the structure of the program.

“I really like the fact that a big part of the program is continuous training. As part of this, we have a weekly seminar during which we discuss, read or practice on various topics that relate to the idea of the writing center, tutoring and pedagogy, etc,” wrote Filipovska.

Gradually, the training process will evolve into a credit-bearing course that tutors take before starting to work in the Writing Center. Peer tutors will also hold workshop series on reading and creative writing.

Pedersen emphasizes that the value of peer tutoring lies in that it is a dialogue between two students, which is less of a power distance than between instructor and a student, in terms of age, educational background and approachability.

Nielsen also commented on the unique benefits of peer tutors.

“Peer tutors will be very helpful in that they are familiar with the NYUAD Curriculum. Plus, as peer tutors come from many academic divisions, they will be able to give appropriate feedbacks for different majors. Above all, in building peer to peer connection in writing, the peer tutor program will help building a culture of writing in the community,” said Nielsen.

Having worked as peer tutor herself, Anna Pedersen is proud of the program.

“Peer tutors were already tutoring in informal setting before. It is nice to see the excitement in a formalized setting of peer tutoring program,” said Pedersen.

Peer tutors are available from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout weekdays. They are also open on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — an extension of the regular working hours of the Writing Center. Tutors are available for 20-minute walk-in sessions with students who may not have had the chance to book an appointment in advance. Otherwise, the appointment is structured in the same way as the one with a writing instructor: an hour-length consultation, bookable at the Writing Center website. Short profiles of peer tutors and their areas of study are available on the writing center page as well.