Table of Contents
Private tutoring is a long-standing tradition among families involved in education. There are many benefits to be gained by engaging a tutor. For example, a good maths tutor can help improve grades for students who struggle in school or provide enrichment opportunities for high achievers looking for new challenges. However, before you engage the services of a private tutor, make sure you do your homework and ask the right questions about your options.
How Much Tutoring Experience Does the Tutor Have?
Many tutors are highly educated themselves, having obtained Master’s or even Doctoral degrees, but that is not necessarily an indicator of their success as tutors. One of the most important indicators of how well they will work with your child is their level of practical experience working with children on specific subjects. You want to find out what kind of experience they have working with students in your child’s grade level, their learning style, and any unique challenges they may face. Tutoring Adelaide makes it easy to find information for all of these experience levels.
Who Will Be Working with Your Child?
This goes back to the question of practical experience. Although it is essential that the tutor has training and education in their field, the quality of that training can vary widely between institutions. You should ask what programs or certifications they have explicitly completed for tutoring students. Also, ask if they also tutor their own children, so you know whether your child will be receiving one-on-one attention from an experienced professional who truly cares about their success.
How Many Hours Will the Tutor Work?
The more time spent working with your child on a weekly basis, the greater the benefit. However, the time commitment from both parents and students should be considered. A tutor who works a few hours a week may only offer periodic check-ins throughout the course of a semester or term, which may not be sufficient for your child to achieve their goals. Asking about the frequency and duration of sessions is an important question when interviewing tutors.
Who Will Be in Charge of the Tutoring Sessions?
The final consideration you need to make before hiring a tutor is whether your child will be working solo with the tutor or if another adult will have ultimate responsibility for what happens in a session. If your child will have control over how he spends his time during each session, then that’s okay. However, if you want to be sure that your child is following through on the work outlined in their lesson plan, then it’s best to find someone who will act with your authority. For example, you may not want to hire a tutor who reports back directly to your child.
How Much Does the Tutoring Cost?
Finally, the cost can be an essential part of determining which tutor is right for your family. Although rates vary widely based on where you live and what services are provided, average tutoring fees range from $25-$50 per hour depending on subject matter expertise required. Parents should account for this expense when planning family finances and ensure that they can afford it before contracting with a private tutor for their children.
Run a Background Check
An online background check can be an invaluable tool in your search for a good tutor. Although many tutors work only one-on-one with students and have no contact with other adults or children, it’s a good idea to Google the tutor you’re considering hiring to find out any information that may affect your decision. For example, if they do not have a website showcasing references and testimonials from past clients, then reach out directly to their references before allowing them around your child so you can ask about their experience working with the tutor. You should also investigate any complaints filed against or by the tutor online.
Conclusion
Finding the right tutor for your child is essential to their academic success, but it’s even more vital that you know how to find a qualified teacher. Following these considerations ensures that your child will receive the tutoring they need and that your family can afford any necessary fees. Use this checklist before you interview potential tutors so you can ensure it’s the tutoring experience you want for your children.