Making the decision to hire a personal tutor is arguably the easy step – finding one that’s right for you or your child may be slightly harder, or at least, far more time consuming. Here at Tutorspot, we have qualified and experienced A level tutors and GCSE tutors with experience in preparing students for all of the core subjects plus many more, so you can choose a suitable tutor for A level or GCSE Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Science, Maths English as well as for many more subjects.
We know that having a choice is a wonderful thing, but at the same time, it can be slightly overwhelming and make it harder to make that final decision. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of things you ought to consider when deciding which type of tutor might be right for you.
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want your tutor to be available for face to face sessions, or if you’re happy to have tutoring online.
Face to face tuition is the traditional way tutors have often worked with their students. Being in the same room, across a table from each other makes it easy to offer assistance with a particularly problematic topic. However, the drawbacks mean you’re only able to work with tutors within a particular geographic location – unless, of course, you’re willing to travel further afield.
Whilst some tutors may be happy to come to you, and work with your child in your own home, the reality is there are limitations with regards to when this is possible. A tutor may not be willing, or able, to drive across town at 5pm on a Thursday for a one hour session.
These days, largely due to forced changes as a result of the Covid Pandemic, many people choose to do as much as possible online, from shopping to Bingo. There’s no reason why working with an A Level Further Maths Tutor, for instance, should be any different.
If you’re not hampered by geography, then it’s far easier for you to find the right tutor for your child. This means you don’t have to make any compromises with skill set, experience or teaching style. You really do have the pick of a very wide bunch of tutors, and can take your time in making a decision.
The world of online tuition is developing rapidly, and one of the big changes is the willingness to branch out when it comes to the experience of tutors. Once upon a time, no one would have considered learning from anyone unless they had relevant teaching qualifications. However, today, many people realise that those working within a particular industry, or students who have recently completed their own studies, have a lot to offer.
Deciding which type of teacher may be a good fit for your child will require you to think about their learning styles, what they’re struggling with and what it is you’re ultimately hoping to achieve.
If, for example, your child is really struggling to understand the concepts they’re learning in class, it might be worth looking for an experienced teacher – either one who is still working within education, or someone who has retired. This way, you can benefit from their years of experience working with children of different abilities. They can use their knowledge to identify your child’s learning style, and then tailor content and lessons to them. This is the best way to guarantee results and encourage your child to engage with sessions.
Alternatively, if you’re hoping for your child to get a deeper knowledge of a subject, then it might be worth looking for an expert in the particular field. For biology for example, some of the best private biology tutors aren’t professional teachers at all, but instead work within labs or in a clinical setting and they enjoy tutoring biology.
Equally, University students who have been through both their GCSEs and A Levels can bring a different insight into studying for your child. They are arguably best placed to provide advice and tips on how to study for exams, prepare revision notes, complete coursework and tackle exam anxiety. They also know, better than any teacher can, the stress and pressure students can face when completing a particular level of education. A sympathetic ear and an encouraging word from a peer, can do wonders for a student’s confidence and enthusiasm for their subject.
Whichever type of tutor you decide to hire, it’s important you ensure they are a good fit for your child. If you are hiring online tutors, check out their reviews from previous and current students. For physics and maths tutors for example, look and see what other students say about them. Ask them what their teaching style is and how they will best support and encourage your child.
Check in with them, and your child, on a regular basis to see how they both think sessions are going – have they built a good rapport? Are they working well together? Is there anything that isn’t working that needs to be changed?
No matter what your child’s current academic situation, it’s never too early to start thinking about working with a personal tutor, whether that’s chemistry tutors, maths tutors or any other subject.
Whether your child is embarking on their GCSEs or A Levels, or they’re starting secondary school, a personal tutor can help them gain confidence with their chosen subjects. With Maths, English and Science being core subjects for most college or University courses, it’s important to ensure your child has a good foundational knowledge to allow them to progress.
A tutor will work with your child to identify their key strengths, and challenge them to enhance their skills. Equally, they will identify the areas they find slightly more difficult, and over time, build up their confidence by focussing on relevant questions and scenarios. Working with a tutor over a long period of time will ensure that your child has someone they know they can rely on to support them when it comes to academic matters, who wants them to succeed and has the ability to give them their undivided attention.
If you are interested in hiring an online tutor for you child, take a look here or contact us today on 01509 265623 or email us at info@tutorspot.co.uk and a member of our team will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have.
