Be an Oral Communication Tutor

Love helping others? Love public speaking? Help others love public speaking by becoming an Oral Communication Tutor.

Applications for work in 2012-2013 are available now and due by February 12, 2012 (extended deadline).  We accept applications once per year during Winter Quarter.  Please see below for application details, and contact OCT Manager Lindsey Yeager at lindsey.yeager@stanford.edu or 650-725-7667 with questions.

What OCTs Do

Oral Communication Tutors (OCTs) are peer speaking tutors who support students at all stages of the oral presentation process. Both graduate and undergraduate students can serve as OCTs. OCTs help students from a variety of academic disciplines with the following:

  • Brainstorming, organizing, and rehearsing oral presentations
  • Using visual aids effectively (including PowerPoint)
  • Overcoming speech anxiety
  • Preparing for job interviews, oral exams, lectures and more

While most of an OCT's work with students occurs outside of class time (during individual or group consultations), OCTs are often also paired with classes that emphasize instruction in oral presentation, e.g. PWR 2 classes and DWR 2 seminars. OCTs make occasional visits to their assigned classes to conduct mini-workshops or to provide in-class assistance with students' oral presentations.

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Who We Seek

  • We seek applicants from all backgrounds and disciplines. Graduate students in particular are encouraged to apply.
  • We look for applicants with a strong interest in oral communication, tutoring / teaching, and multimedia presentation, and who showcase qualities of an effective tutor. Prior experience in these areas is not required.
  • Applicants need to include the contact information of one reference person. A letter of reference is not required.

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Training

All students offered OCT positions must complete a one- to three-unit training course in Spring Quarter before beginning work as an OCT. (CTL 119: Oral Communication Tutor Teaching Practicum; Wednesdays, 3:15 to 5:05 p.m.)

In this course, readings, exercises, and supervised teaching refine students’ speaking skills, preparing them to work as peer speaking tutors in a variety of academic disciplines.

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Time Commitment and Starting Salary

  • OCTs work about three to four hours per week, although more hours may be available.
  • Starting salary for 2012-2013: $13 per hour for undergraduates; $20 per hour for graduate students

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APPLY NOW

Questions? Contact OCT Manager Lindsey Yeager at 650-725-7667 or lindsey.yeager@stanford.edu.

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