There are plenty of reasons it might seem appealing to hire a private tutor for your kid. Maybe you are trying to give them a leg up on future tests. Or maybe you don’t trust public school teachers as far as you would like to throw them! No matter why you think tutoring might benefit your little one, here are three questions to ask yourself if you decide you really do want help. Do I Need Extra Help Right Now? Will My Kid Benefit From One On One Teaching Instead Of Classroom Education? Can He/She Handle Being Away From Their Peers During Lessons?
When picking a tutor for your kids, keep in mind that you may not actually meet the individual until after signing contracts (highly recommend you do). So ask yourself if you will have the opportunity to observe and talk to any potential candidates during your search. Also it’s worth considering whether a single lesson plan will work well enough for your family over the course of several years; it could cost thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars for lessons each week over the lifetime of your child’s educational journey, which isn’t something all parents often find very affordable. Finally, remember that a teacher has to make sure that he / she meets certain qualifications before being able to teach – so check that off the list too.
The importance of finding a tutor with a good track record
If you go straight into the interview without asking the right questions, chances are you will miss important details, including if he was in fact qualified to teach your particular child, how long he has been teaching before, and most importantly, his track record. By doing research beforehand, you will save precious time during your initial conversation.
In addition, even though your son/daughter does fine academically in elementary school, you might still have concerns and want them tested further before committing to a tutor. Research shows that tutors are effective and helpful, however there are times when it might be necessary to seek professional guidance, especially if your child has special learning challenges.
How to know which private tutors are good at what they do
The first step towards choosing a quality tutor is knowing exactly whom you wish to hire. There are various ways of researching prospective candidates; one being asking friends, relatives or coworkers. However, you can also look for reviews on websites like Yelp as well as ask parents, teachers, coaches or other professionals.
Another option would be to contact local schools and inquire about current students who have taken lessons in past years. These students often offer valuable insight regarding the teacher’s strengths and weaknesses.
If you don’t live near any reputable institutions, the internet offers another excellent tool – online forums like TeacherReviews.net. Teachers have a tendency to review each others’ services, allowing anyone interested to easily access feedback.
When choosing a tutor, keep in mind the following factors:
- Experience: Does your chosen candidate appear to have experience working with young kids? Do they demonstrate knowledge and understanding in areas related to your specific goals and objectives? Is he/she willing and eager to meet regularly with your kid(s)? Are there references available?
- Reputation: Do previous clients speak positively about your selected tutor? Have your child’s grades improved since taking private sessions with her/him? Has he/she been praised by classmates and educators alike? Has she/he earned positive evaluations in professional journals and publications?
- Skillset: Does your chosen candidate seem competent and proficient in the subjects your kids struggle with (i.e., math, language skills etc.
The best ways to find a private tutor
The internet provides numerous tools to help match qualified instructors with families seeking instruction. While traditional methods include word of mouth recommendations, referrals, networking events and even ads placed in paper classified sections, these days many parents turn instead toward online resources.
Some sites allow users to upload video testimonials from satisfied former clients, post questions, rate professionals, leave comments and submit tips. Others provide links to educational materials and lesson plans. Still others connect parents directly with vetted specialists via webinars and chat rooms. Whether you prefer the anonymity afforded by virtual communication or prefer face-to-face meetings, there truly is no shortage of options today.
What you should look for in a private tutor
Before searching for tutoring services (or any kind of educational assistance) be sure you understand exactly what it is you require from your instructor. There isn’t always one “right” answer. Depending on your child’s age, learning style, interests/talents, the amount of homework he has been given and whether or not his teachers recommend specific lessons, etc., finding a teacher can prove difficult, particularly without having done due diligence beforehand.
Once you have identified what sort of teaching style works well for your particular student, determine whether you prefer live tutoring sessions over eLearning formats such as audio tapes, CDs or DVDs; classroom-style settings versus private studio environments; individual vs group instruction; small doses of practice per day versus intensive sessions; short periods of lessons followed by longer breaks; more structured curricula versus loose guides designed to encourage discovery; formal lectures delivered by experienced instructors over practical hands-on activities taught by enthusiastic volunteers – or a combination thereof.
Finally, try to narrow down your list based upon cost-effectiveness as well as availability and scheduling logistics, keeping in mind that you don’t necessarily need the highest quality materials. Ultimately though, you must select something that fits within your personal preferences, your financial means, the needs of your child and your own level of expertise!
What to expect in the private tutoring process
When choosing a tutor, you will want to ensure they understand exactly what you are interested in learning, as well as having experience working one-on-one with students. It is also important to note that different tutors will focus primarily on certain areas.
However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to only finding a particular one (as not every teacher teaches English). Instead, try to meet a few teachers and pick the one whose teaching style matches yours the best. Finally, it pays to interview prospective tutors thoroughly – asking questions like “How long has [name] been tutoring?” and “What kind of results are typical?”
5 Things To Keep In Mind When choosing your private tutor
If you think hiring a private tutor would benefit your child, here are 5 factors to keep in mind.
- Understand Your Child’s Academic Needs First.
Your child’s academic success hinges largely upon his/her abilities to study efficiently. Therefore, you must first decide what subjects he/she wants to learn. Once the subject selection is made, you must also decide which level the course material is intended for. This is a critical step since some levels require more practice hours compared to others. - Determine Which Subjects Are Necessary.
Once you have selected the appropriate courses, the second factor to determine will likely be how often your kids will need to attend classes per week. Some schools offer a variety of scheduling options that range anywhere between three times a week and six times a week. It is essential to choose the most flexible schedule possible in order to accommodate your busy schedules. However, if you can spare the time, consider enrolling him/her in school early in the fall semester so the transition would be less stressful. - Consider Whether He/She Will Need Additional Support During School Year.
Many parents believe they know all there is to know about their kid’s educational progress during high school. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true – especially when dealing with younger grades. If you notice signs of academic stress or struggle with a specific assignment, it would be wise to hire a tutor immediately. - Decide Whether or Not They Would Like Private Lessons.
Some families prefer to teach their kids themselves, believing tutors are too expensive. While the cost factor does matter somewhat, private lessons may actually save you money over time. You should ask your child’s current tutor if he/she feels comfortable recommending a new tutor. Additionally, if you don’t trust the previous tutor, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek another recommendation. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to double check. - Look Into His/Her Teacher Recommendations.
While recommendations are never guaranteed, they do play a role in determining a teacher’s effectiveness.
Even though you’ve reached the end of this blog, you’ve completed the first step on your journey to finding the best tutor for your child. If you need help with that our team of tutor experts can connect you with the best tutor for your child! Please contact us here to see how we can help!