Writing and Learning Centre

Become a Peer Tutor

The Writing and Learning Centre regularly hires graduate and undergraduate students who possess good writing and communication skills, work professionally and patiently with others, manage time effectively, are energetic and team-oriented, and are open to learning new and exciting mentoring and teaching techniques. Students of all academic and linguistic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We hire peer tutors for writing and sometimes learning support.

If you have previous writing or learning centre experience:

Please check on campusBRIDGE to see if we are currently looking to train and hire peer writing or learning tutors. If not, please email wlcentre@ualberta.ca to express your interest.

If you do not have writing centre experience:

We highly recommend that you register for WRS 301 (undergraduate course) or WRS 603 (graduate course) if it is offered on Bear Tracks. Upon successful completion of the course (which includes the option of a practicum at the Writing and Learning Centre), you may be hired as a paid tutor the following semester.

If WRS 301/603 is not offered that semester, check on campusBRIDGE to see if we are currently looking to train and hire peer writing and learning tutors.

WRS 301/603: Introduction to Writing Centre Theory and Practice:

WRS 301/603 introduces students to writing centre work and the collaborative learning theory and practices necessary to successfully work as peer tutors and writing instructors in universities, colleges, and high schools across the world. The course includes a practicum and guides students through readings and discussions on mentoring strategies, the writing process, plagiarism, English as a Second Language, citation styles, grammar, writing across different disciplines, research, learning disabilities, online support, etc.

NOTE: WRS 201 is not an alternative to WRS 301. Students who successfully completed WRS 201 and want to become peer tutors in the C4W must still complete WRS 301 or supplementary C4W training.

What Peer Tutors Do

Work one-on-one with clients on writing, reading, and research skills
Deliver workshops and/or class presentations
Facilitate graduate writing groups
Review research papers, creative and personal texts, lab reports, and many other kinds of texts
Assist graduate students with theses and dissertations
Introduce international and multilingual students to Canadian academic writing conventions and expectations
Help students understand their assignments and texts
Support brainstorming, drafting strategies, organization, and argument development
Help to craft effective thesis statements and topic sentences
Explain research strategies and use of secondary sources
Assist with revising, formatting, spelling, grammar, style, usage, mechanics and more
Encourage students to become more confident in their writing skills

Why Become a Peer Tutor

To improve your own writing and communication skills
To earn good money without leaving the campus
To improve your teaching, presentation, and public speaking skills
To gain professional experience in a client-focused environment
To add a very important line in your resume
To learn about different styles of writing
To work with clients from various disciplines, cultures, and linguistic backgrounds
To work in a stimulating environment with a dedicated, creative group of people
To make a difference in other people's lives
To learn about many different academic disciplines
To gain experience in coaching and active listening
To belong to an exciting and growing academic field