well in school is a vital component to future success. If your child seems to struggle in a certain subject, or just needs a bit of study help, then tutoring may be an ideal solution. A couple hours a week of tutoring can help students master their homework, sharpen learning skills, and increase confidence.
Tutors offer a different perspective than the classroom teacher, which can help the student better understand the material. The biggest advantage is that tutors can walk students through problems step-by-step, while one-on-one time creates a lesson that is tailored to the student’s abilities and gives students and parents the opportunity to ask questions and gain immediate feedback.
Not only does tutoring help expand knowledge and understanding of academic subjects, it often results in higher self-esteem and positive attitudes toward school. The extra help allows students who have fallen behind to catch up, so they feel confident when they enter the classroom.
According to CBSNews.com, some signs your child needs a tutor may include:
• Continued failing grades in school
• Child is constantly making excuses as to why he or she is not doing homework.
• The student is unhappy in school or having problems in general that you are aware of.
• The teacher sends notes home to you alerting you of your student’s disruptive behavior.
While these may be indicative of a need for a tutor, problems at school can be caused by a variety of reasons. Talk with your child’s teacher or school counselor to learn more about your child’s situation.
It is important to note that tutoring is not a magical solution. Tutoring is most effective if the student wants to improve their skills and sees the value in it. Keep in mind that a one-on-one interaction will be drastically different than a classroom setting. If you have found a good tutor, they will make the lesson interesting and more like a conversation rather than a lesson.
Private vs. Group Tutoring
Private tutoring ensures that the student’s problem areas are focused on and the lesson is completely tailored to their needs, level and pace. Group tutoring, on the other hand, is typically less expensive, but the general needs and abilities of the group dictate how sessions are run. Non-participation can also occur in a group setting, whereas in a private lesson the student must participate.
Still, a small group tutor can take time to answer individual questions and students are less likely to get left behind than in a large classroom setting. The advantages of group tutoring are that different views and questions can be shared, and it promotes cooperative attitudes and work skills. Group tutoring can also be effective if the student just needs a refresher of the material or a reinforcement of skills they have already learned.
Tutoring Center vs.
Private Tutor
Tutoring schools and tutoring centers available include Sylvan Learning, Kumon, Kaplan (formerly SCORE!) and The Princeton Review for SAT prep. These programs offer individual tutors or special classes within an organized structure. Individual tutors at these types of centers are pre-screened and have met set requirements. When considering whether to go with a tutoring center, ask about how they conduct their tutoring sessions. Some centers may assign a different tutor for every session or children may spend most of their time working with tutoring software.
Private tutors are more flexible with meeting times and sometimes even pricing. Private tutors can also come to you rather than the student having to go to a certain location. However, experience, education and skill vary widely so you will need to carefully interview these tutors yourself.
Finding the right tutor with the right amount of experience is essential to getting results. Ask your child’s school if they recommend individual tutors or commercial tutoring centers. In addition, ask other parents if they have experience in hiring tutors. You can also look into after-school tutoring programs or at local colleges for tutoring centers with tutors available for all ages. Recommendations are your safest bet, but websites such as TutorNation.com offer listings of certified tutors by location and can be a good starting point.
When looking for a tutor, inquire about their experience, whether or not they have a degree in the subjects they are tutoring, and whether they have a teaching credential or tutor certificate. If your child has a learning disability, ask a potential tutor if they have experience with that particular disability. Remember that how they teach is just as important as their credentials. Ask what they plan to do during the lesson, how they are going to find out your child's problem areas, and how they will go about improving the child's skills. Think about what you want your child to be able to achieve as a result of tutoring and communicate this with your tutor.
Rates can vary widely with private tutors, depending on the experience of the tutor and the subject. For example, high school chemistry, calculus and SAT prep are typically more expensive than other subjects.
As a parent, you can help your child make the most of their tutoring by encouraging them to do their homework. Provide them with a quiet place to study and be available to help (but don't do the work!). Most importantly, be a good example and show that reading and education are important.
Becoming a Tutor
If you have an excellent understanding of core subjects like English, math or science, plenty of patience and the ability to motivate, you should consider becoming a tutor. Finding work as a tutor depends greatly on experience, so start small. If you are in college, tutor your classmates or family friends and neighbors. You can also volunteer or apply for a job with your school’s tutoring center. Once you have some experience, you can begin advertising on craigslist.com, or even at your local campus (you will need to get permission from the campus before you do this). After you get your first few clients, and if you are a good tutor, word of mouth will spread quickly.
If you want to continue as a private tutor, recommendations are one of the most effective ways of expanding your tutoring business. It is important to put plenty of time and effort into your tutoring. This means working on lesson plans, or doing some studying of your own outside of your tutoring sessions to make sure you have a good command of the material. Obtaining a tutoring certificate is also a good way to demonstrate that you are a qualified tutor. The International Tutoring Association (ITA), American Tutoring Association (ATA) and National Tutor Association (NTA) all offer certificate programs.
Alternatively, you can advertise your services by signing up with an online tutoring directory, such as TutorNation.com or MathLessons.com. Once you sign up, your location and area of expertise will be available for all potential clients. Some sites offer free membership, while others charge a fee.
Tutoring is beneficial for the student and for the tutor. It can be a very rewarding experience because you get to witness a student’s progress first hand. Not only this, but teaching others encourages higher levels of thinking and increases your motivation to learn in order to maintain your role as a tutor. If you are currently in school, tutoring others will strengthen your knowledge in the subjects you tutor as well as your learning and study skills.
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