Need help finding and choosing a tutor? A school teacher has an average of 20 students per class, making it challenging to accommodate each student’s learning needs.
Many children find it difficult to follow along in class if the teacher has chosen a uniform method of teaching. This leads to the child suffering and struggling when homework and tasks are assigned.
Often, the solution is to invest in a private tutor. Private tutors will not only provide academic support to your child to ensure top marks but will give your child the skill set they need to be able to solve any task they get in the future without relying on additional help.
A good tutor can make all the difference whether a student passes or fails, potentially impacting a student’s future. To make the right choice when choosing a tutor for your child, follow the tips below.
Look at Your Child’s Academic Strengths & Weaknesses
Before beginning the search for a tutor, make sure you understand exactly what your child needs to improve on and what method of learning they’re more comfortable with.
Whether your child is a visual or auditory learner, you’ll need to find a tutor who knows how to teach the curriculum to fit their needs and preferences.
The easiest way to figure out what your child needs is to simply ask them. Inquire about which subjects they seem to enjoy and excel in and what subject they find difficult and have a hard time understanding what’s going on. Using this information, you’ll be able to narrow your search down.
Ask for Recommendations
When anyone is working closely with your child, it’s crucial that you feel comfortable enough with that person to leave them with your child.
Start your search for a tutor by gathering recommendations from your child’s teachers or principal, since they’re likely to know who has the right qualifications. You can also ask friends or family members who’ve used a tutor’s services before for recommendations.
Consider the Tutors Experience & Qualifications
Before committing to a tutor, you should consider their experience and qualifications.
Check to see if the tutor has had students with similar learning needs as your child and how they have been able to help that student achieve academic success. It’s best to find someone who teaches at your child’s grade level, as they’ll be more familiar with the content.
In addition to that, find out what school the tutor has attended and if they completed a tutor training program.
Keep in mind that the amount of experience and qualifications don’t always make a good tutor and that there are a lot of factors you need to consider as well.
Determine Budget & Availability of the Tutor
When choosing a tutor, you should set a budget and determine the days you’re available.
The more experience a tutor has, the higher the rate is going to be. Most tutors will have their own rates set in place, so it’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing to pay.
Be sure to check the tutor’s availability and see if it matches your own. The number of sessions you’ll require per week also plays an important part in finding a tutor, as some may not have enough time for all the required sessions given your availability.
Decide Whether You Want in-Person or Online Sessions
Although online tutoring isn’t a new concept, it has become more popular since the start of the pandemic.
There have been some mixed feelings on online learning, so you must ask your child whether they are able to learn better in-person or through a computer screen.
Online learning can be more convenient if you have a busy schedule, as you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in traffic. Tutor fees may also decrease if travel expenses are cut.
On the other hand, many children get easily distracted by a computer scream and find it hard to learn without face-to-face interaction.
Discuss a Progress Plan
The only way to really know if the tutor is helping your child is by tracking their progress. Talk with your child’s tutor on coming up with monthly reports and assigning homework to see if the child understood the material.
This way you’ll know if your child is benefiting from the extra help and if the tutors teaching method is working.
Observe the First Couple Sessions
It can be useful to observe the first couple of tutoring sessions to learn more about the approach the tutor takes to teaching the curriculum.
You’ll also get a better understanding of how the tutor interacts with your child, which can make you feel more comfortable about leaving your child alone in future sessions.
Decide on a Cancellation Policy in Advance
When choosing a tutor, be sure to discuss with them a cancellation policy in case you can’t make it or your child gets sick.
Find out how much time in advance you’ll need to let the tutor know about a cancellation and whether you’ll have to pay a fee if you cancel a short time before the session.
It’s important to respect the tutor’s time, as they have a packed schedule and a sudden cancellation will disrupt their plans.
Find a Tutor With Patience & Passion
Each student learns at their own pace, some being able to grasp a concept immediately while others need a little more time to understand.
It’s important that the tutor doesn’t put pressure on the child to complete work faster, as it can discourage them from doing the work, which is counterproductive.
Instead, the tutor should allocate enough time for the student to complete the work at a pace they’re comfortable with while still having time to ask questions.
Tutors who do not enjoy the subject they’re teaching will cause the lesson to be dull and boring, making your child feel less motivated to do the work. A passionate teacher will create a fun learning environment that will make your child eager to learn the subject.
Sign Up With a Tutoring Agency
There are many ways to find a tutor, although the best way remains to be using a tutoring agency.
This will ensure you’re working with a tutor who is a good fit for your child and has all the qualifications necessary. Another benefit of signing up with a tutoring agency is that all the background checks have been completed, saving you the time and hassle of doing it yourself.
These agencies work with hundreds of tutors that are specialized in different subjects, making it easier to find someone that matches your requirements.
Help Your Child Succeed With Mind Over Learning
Are you currently choosing a tutor? Has your child been struggling with one or more subjects at school?
Many children find it difficult to keep up with the class, especially since there are no accommodations made for special learning needs and no one-on-one instruction.
At Mind Over Learning, we’re confident that your child will excel in any subject with the help of one of our many skilled tutors. Our teachers will work with your child to target and overcome their weaknesses and further develop their strengths to reach their full potential.
Reach out to us to learn more about our tutoring services and get your child the help they need today.