Chapters
"Online learning is not the next big thing, it is the now big thing."
-Donna J. Abernathy
The past decade has seen a real boom in the home tutoring trade. Parents all over the world are spending much more on personalised tuition for their children throughout primary and secondary school years; this is especially surprising despite the worldwide recession. Nonetheless, the education charity, the Sutton Trust, reveals that while some 18 per cent of children in the UK received private tuition in 2005, that number had risen to 23 per cent by 2011-2012. Now 10 years later, the number keeps rising and most have or are currently taking remedial training courses with a tutor in-person or virtually.
If in the past, parents were rather discrete about the subject of their child needing tutoring, nowadays, that isn't the case. It's not so much trying to find a tutor since they are available everywhere, it’s all about finding the best tutor for their money. Whether you feel that your child could do better in certain subjects or there are other reasons why you feel they are not reaching their full potential, a tutor can be of great help.
Personal instructors are brilliant for students who suffer from a learning disability or who have severe shyness.
But, how to choose the right match for your child? The overwhelming amount of options available tends to make it more difficult for parents who want their child to be matched with the perfect instructor. Thankfully, some tips are specifically tailored to help all sorts of students locate the best private educator for themselves. In today's article, we'll consider ten ways that tutors can be found.
What are the Top Ten Tips to Find a Private Tutor?
Searching for a private tutor is like shopping for something like a car, dress, or new suit. Typically, when shopping for something of value, you don't just buy the first one that you find. You try things out for size and find out which one will suit you best.
Since private educators become respected individuals that you trust, it's essential to conduct a thorough search to locate the one that will bring out the best in you or your child and that will help you accomplish your academic goals. So, without further ado, let's review the top ten ways to find a tutor.
Ask Other Parents for Recommendations
Whether your child is at a primary or secondary school level, there is a high chance that their friends are also being tutored. And if things are going well, it's in your best interest to ask the parent of your child's friend for the tutor's contact information. Most likely they will be able to help your child as well.
Also, here's a thought, if the other parent(s) agree, see about organising small group sessions to keep the cost per child down. That's a win-win situation!
Ask Teachers at Your Child's School
Most of us take for granted the fact that school teachers can also be tutors. Some educators that teach in the traditional classroom make a little money on the side tutoring core subjects to interested pupils.
In all honesty, school teachers are the best people to ask since they received a Bachelor's degree, or more, in Education and they know the subject they are teaching like the back of their hand. Also, they know how to handle behavioural issues and have access to a host of materials which may make the classes more enjoyable and useful for your child.
Consider Online Tutoring
It's worth stating that while it is the more traditional method of private tuition, home tutoring does not come cheap. It is not uncommon for local tutors to charge anywhere from £30 – £60 per hour. Popular and specialised tutors charge as much as £150! So, what can be done? Online tutoring.
Virtual tutoring is much more affordable than face-to-face tutoring since there are fewer travel expenses for both the tutor and the student; you stay home to learn! Also, many amateur instructors start their tutoring careers online and while they might not have as much experience as older instructors, they make up for it with passion and enthusiasm. So, much does online tutoring cost? Normally around £20 per hour.
Online tutoring takes place directly from your home over your PC or MacBook. All you need is a stable internet connection, some headphones, and the desire to learn. Lessons are interactive and engaging since virtual tutors use functions such as screen sharing, whiteboards, and informative videos.
But, where can I find online tutors? Look no further than Superprof. There are over 21 million professional instructors on the Superprof site offering their tutoring services in 1000+ topics. We guarantee that you'll find what you need!
Talk to Tutoring Agencies
If you're deadset on finding an in-person, face-to-face instructor that conducts lessons locally. We highly recommend using a tutoring agency. Good tutoring agencies make it easy to find a perfect match for your child since they normally employ tutors who specialise in teaching specific ages and certain core subjects.
Also, if your child has dyslexia or other special education needs, good agencies should be able to provide you with qualified teachers that specialise in these things. Consider searching the web for tutoring agencies near your town or city of residence.
Turn to Local Ads
Since the internet, it isn't the most common to turn to local ads that are posted on the bulletin boards of local universities, schools, coffee shops, etc. Nonetheless, you might be surprised to find out that you'll find what you're looking for.
Some tutors prefer the "old school" method of posting an ad at a popular local place. Just make sure that they have the right qualifications and that you're not getting scammed!
Post a Classified Ad
Instead of waiting to find the perfect ad on classified sites or local bulletin boards, why not post an ad yourself? Various students have found hardworking and experienced tutors by posting an ad that highlights what they are looking to learn, how many hours a week, and the price they are willing to pay.
Ask Friends For Advice
Two heads are better than one!
When searching for private tutors to teach yourself or your child, it's a wise decision to ask your friends for advice. You might be surprised to find out that they currently have a private tutor they're happily using.
Also, in some situations, your family or friends might offer to tutor your child, or you, for a few remedial sessions about a topic that you don't understand.
Consider the Possibility of Tutoring Your Child Yourself
Do you like maths? Do you enjoy the logic of science? Are you a pro at English literature and vocabulary? If so, you might be the perfect tutor for your child. Tutoring your son or daughter yourself is extremely cost-effective and a great bonding experience.
Additionally, there are plenty of resources available on education sites that can easily provide you with the necessary assistance to conduct remedial sessions.
Search for Online Recommendations
Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of online forums and websites where tutors and teachers can share their ideas. Such as? We highly recommend The Teacher's Corner, ProTeacher, and The Education Forum to find information about where a good tutor can be located.
Visit Kids and Teens Support Sites
Trustworthy websites such as childcare.co.uk offer information on various subjects, including Chinese Mandarin, swimming and cookery. You'll be sure to find tutoring support when consulting sites that have experience connecting teachers with new students.
It's highly recommended to ask questions in the comments section and, sometimes, the ones answering questions are tutors or educators that are available for hire. Just be cautious and remember to always practice cyber safety.
There you have it, the top ten ways or methods to find tutors. We sincerely hope that this article has assisted you in the right way that you should go.
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Heya.
There are many tried and tested ways in order to find a decent tutor nowadays. I began my tutor search online two years ago now. My first piece of advice is to make some brief summary notes in addition. Consider all of your tutoring options as well here for optimal results. Best wishes. Explore a bunch of tutor profiles online in preparation as a starting point for your own additional inquiries and research too. The reviews are so important to read. It takes time. Never forget that important fact of life either.
Have a list of names and tips for lessons to hand in case. Do not forget to carefully read the reviews. Try to request a paper copy of a DBS certificate to read and also check out other references. Set realistic goals and review them periodically to ensure all is well on top of that. Stay positive yet be prepared however. Look far beyond the price of the entire lesson in question in other words. First tutors is a good online resource to use to hire a tutor. I would begin there.
Never settle for the first tutor you find. View a number of additional profiles then make a decision regarding a tutor. Ask around for tutor recommendations. Alternatively you can use a brick and mortar tutoring company instead. Talk to some of the parents at local schools and also interview people on the street too. They might have useful tips and information worth knowing. Swap tutor contact information. Pay close and careful attention to your gut.
Be patient. It is a good idea to also look at a paper copy of the tutor’s old school report in question. Do this at the initial interview with them if possible. That really should tell you a bit more. Qualifications, experience level and skills do matter in this industry. Keep a file of details in any hiring situation. When I was trying to find a French tutor I made many inquiries on and offline. Most qualified tutors tend to use a variety of approaches to find clients. Always conduct a interview face to face prior to making decisions.
Bear that in mind. Peace of mind is really important. After I made my decision I emailed the hired applicant via email. But prior to my decision I contacted seventeen likely respondents online to find out more. Tutors are not all scary folks anymore. Far from it these days. I used a website that was recommended to me personally to get a tutor but there are so many other ones you can use. Alternatively you can place a advert in a publication to find someone. I hope this is useful.
Hey there! Thanks so much for sharing your helpful insights on finding a tutor, best of luck in your search!