Reading in Pairs, description and results of a peer tutoring program for English as a foreign language

Reading in Pairs is a peer tutoring program designed to improve oral fluency and reading comprehension in English as a Foreign Language. In this program students work in pairs, using an established relationship framework and the support of their teacher. This article outlines the main conceptual foundations of the program: peer tutoring, English as a foreign language, and family involvement in academics; describes Reading in Pairs covering the activities per session, roles of tutors, tutees and teachers, training for participants, assessment, and other details and presents results of its implementation in 27 schools, with 974 students. Using a mixed research method, combining a pre and post-test quantitative design (for reading comprehension and oral expression) and qualitative study (analyzing the interaction of 3 pairs and teacher and student perceptions), results suggest the effectivity of the program.