If your child is lost in a haze of elementary grammar rules, sinking fast in a jumble of Newton’s laws in middle school, or lost in the details of an AP biology class, you must seek immediate assistance. So, what are your choices right now?
Many parents who are frustrated with their children’s academic performance hire a tutor to help them. Tutors come with varying levels of expertise and compassion, and each family has its own set of needs. As a result, it is critical to first determine what you want and then thoroughly investigate the tutor’s skill, experience, commitment, and personality.
- Know what you want to achieve.
Ask yourself or your child’s teacher the following questions:
What kind of help are we looking for? Is my child in need of homework help, intensive remediation, or a mix of the two?
Specific subject scores (chemistry, geometry); general skills (math, reading, science); study skills; motivation?
What do I know about the learning style of my child? Is reading, listening, moving, or touching the best way for him to learn? Is he more successful with men or with women? Is he in need of a lot of love or a firm hand? What drives and fascinates him?
How much time and money do you have available to tutor? Don’t be stingy with your money, but be honest with yourself before you begin.
- Recognize your choices.
Share your concern with your child’s school counsellor or teacher. Good counsellors will have met with your child and should have records of her academic progress, scores on standardised tests, and notes on any potential personality issues. The counselling office at most schools keeps a list of registered tutors on file. Resumes or fliers are frequently used. Often, these are compiled into a book for parents to peruse before making a decision. Alternatively, schools may post them for parents and students on a bulletin board.
Take a look at the local newspaper. There are a lot of good tutors who list their credentials there.
Seek advice from friends and neighbours. Teachers who have retired or are “stay-at-home-parents” may be willing to assist. Make certain they are familiar with the subject matter you require.
Call a learning centre like Sylvan or Kumon in your area. Inquire about the compatibility of your child’s profile with theirs. Rather than working on specific subjects like biology or literature, they usually work on general issues like reading comprehension.
Sense and money
Unfortunately, when choosing a tutor, price is frequently the deciding factor. Value, on the other hand, is more important to consider. A more expensive tutor may be better suited to and more effective in meeting your child’s needs. Don’t dismiss him because of his costs.
In addition to the cost, consider the following:
How do you handle payments?
Find out in advance what payment methods your tutor accepts and when payment is due. Some tutors only accept cash and expect payment at the end of each session. Some companies will let you prepay for a month at a time. Others may bill you for completed sessions.
What are your cancellation policies?
While most tutors are accommodating, some do require a 24-hour cancellation notice. Learn this information up front to avoid charges down the line.
- Test your options
Check credentials carefully. Ask questions to see how well their skills match your child’s needs:
What is your educational background? If the tutor is going to work on chemistry, she should have at least a minor in chemistry from college. To teach first-grade reading, a different type of education is required.
What kind of experience do you have as a teacher? Look for a tutor who has experience working with students of your child’s age and ability level.
Meet with a few different candidates. Include your child in the conversation and ask a lot of questions:
How do you assess the needs of each student? Find out if the tutor will assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses using standardised testing, school reports, or other methods.
How long do you estimate the lessons will take to prepare? Keep in mind that harder subjects require longer to prepare, so expect to pay more to compensate for the extra time.
What methods of tutoring do you employ? A good tutor will do more than just answer questions and work with students on problems. He will assess your child’s strengths and limitations, produce individualised materials, and if possible, employ “hands-on” resources. He’ll collaborate with the classroom teacher and, most importantly, instil in your youngster a “can-do” attitude and plenty of praise.
What do you hope to get out of me? A family’s participation is required of good instructors. They require parents to contact instructors in their children’s classrooms and ask for their help in making tutoring a success: a copy of the textbook they’re using; a syllabus for their class or subject; and any additional worksheets that can help with the tutorial process.
How do you keep your students motivated? Consider what motivates your child and look for a tutor who employs these techniques.
What are your working hours? This question frequently determines whether or not a deal will be made. You may have found the ideal tutor, but if her schedule conflicts with yours, you’re out of luck.
What is the location of your tutoring? Tutors frequently tutor in a public location, such as a library. A house, on the other hand, should be appropriate if you have thoroughly investigated the scenario, especially if another person is there throughout the session.
How long do you think you’ll be tutoring? A tutor can become a crutch, so figure out how long it will take to assist your child gain the skills and confidence to achieve on his or her own.
What is the price of your services? The cost varies greatly depending on the subject area, location, and the tutor’s credentials. Although neighbours or friends may offer lower rates, keep in mind that professional tutors charge professional rates.
What is the range of outcomes you are seeing? How far have other customers progressed in the past?
Is there anyone I can contact who is familiar with your tutoring abilities? You receive electricians, doctors, and dentists as references. Isn’t it sensible to seek a reference for the individual who would be working with your child so closely?
- Collaborate for success
Keep an eye on how your child interacts with the tutor. If at all possible, attend a portion of a session. If you want your child to succeed, he or she must feel at ease.
Keep track of your progress. Request comments from your child, and watch to see if his or her grade improves over time. Move on to another tutor if you don’t see change after several sessions or if your youngster has a negative attitude.
It takes effort on your side to find — and keep — a decent instructor. Isn’t your child, after all, worth all of your assistance?
If you need a great tutor near me or a great tutor in Calgary check out GettaTutor.com
