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Hiring a Tutor
A TUTOR FOR YOUR CHILD
Whether your child needs some extra help with exams or you simply want to learn something, there’s a huge advantage hiring a tutor.
When to Tutor?
School is not easy and we all failed a subject (or more!) during our time as a student. You simply cannot be naturally good at understanding everything. Some people have fun in Chemistry, but cannot spell to save their lives, while some people have a knack of writing brilliantly but feel hugely stupid when confronted with fractions. Everyone is different and our educational system cannot provide extra support for each student. Most of the time it does not really matter: students can be average in a subject so long as they are good enough in other topics to compensate and pass their grade. But it is sometimes necessary to achieve excellent grades in order to be accepted in a special course or university/school. In these times, the best solution is to hire a tutor. This will ensure your child receives the help he or she needs.
Who should Tutor?
The best way to find a tutor is by word of mouth. One of the other parents you’re your child school may have hired a tutor and be keen to recommend their services. You can also ask your child’s teachers during parents-teachers meetings, they may have some good advice.
You can equally look in your local newspapers and on shops advertisement board, but ultimately if you want a wider spectrum of choice, the Internet can be the best resource. People sometimes feel more reluctant getting in touch with a stranger over the internet than in another situation, even more so when their children are involved, but it is really a great source of information. Common sense is usually enough to guide you through your search for a tutor:
- Ideally, arrange for a security check to be taken, as this will guarantee that the tutor reaches the same security standard as school staff. It is worth the extra fee as this will ensure the tutor has a clean criminal record and it will bring you peace of mind.
- Meet up with the tutor before hiring him or her, or at least discuss your child’s needs over the phone together. This will help establish a mutual understanding and build a sound professional relationship.
- Ask for a list of their tutoring qualifications. A qualified teacher tends to inspire trust, but on the other hand a student who does tutoring to finance his/her studies can also be an excellent teacher and sometimes be more in touch with learning methods, being him/herself a student
- Ask your child’s opinion on his/her new tutor. Sometimes a good reference is not enough and the chemistry has to be right. Your child’s progresses will also tell you very quickly whether your trust and money are well invested.
How much?
The cost will really depend on the frequency and duration of the classes. Most tutors work on an hourly paid basis. Tutors are not usually cheap, but that’s the price of a private, individual education that is considered, so you will find out that it’s well worth it and rather irreplaceable. Besides, tutors are usually hired as a temporary, punctual solution, and often in order to prepare exams: their help won’t necessarily be required on a permanent basis, so the extra cost is often be quite reasonable.
You can compare tutors fees to have an idea of what the average fee is, keeping in mind that it will vary depending on your child’s level and the subject studied, the area you live in and the tutors’ qualifications and experience, etc.
A TUTOR FOR YOURSELF
Adults may also need to hire a tutor. Although less common than children tutoring, it is a great way to learn a new subject very quickly and efficiently.
We all feel at some stage in our lives that we need to learn something new. Whether it is because you always dreamt of learning Italian, or need to learn your in-laws’ language, or want to become self-employed and wish to learn some accountancy basis, the occasions are multiple and you will feel a great sense of achievement by constantly developing your abilities.
You can either take a class or hire a private tutor.
A class is a cheaper (generally between £5 - £10 per hour) but not necessarily convenient nor effective option as you share a teacher with another 5 to 15 people, whom might not be in it with the same motivation or needs as you. Language classes, for example, can be very frustrating as they mix different people with various experience of a language under the same regime, regularly boring or discouraging them altogether. Your fellow classmates might be quick at picking up certain grammatical concept with which you still struggle, and you may feel that by missing a step you will not be able to catch up and fail to benefit from the rest of the program. The same goes with any subject.
A private tutor on the other hand will cost more (generally between £10 and £25 per hour) but provide a personalised service to suit your needs and talent. You can learn so much quicker because he or she will know your exact level, strengths and weaknesses, and working using them for you sole benefit.
Whatever your needs, there are always great benefits employing a tutor. Sometimes a private teacher is all you need to boost your confidence and get back on track in a specific subject which used to make you feel “stupid”. It can be a liberating experience, and your success can help you progress on another level. Whether you are in it for a hobby, to follow a career path or to get in the school of your dream, a tutor is there to help you achieve your potential, thus opening the door to your future.
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