A Guide to Tutoring

Many individuals, ranging from children to adults, can benefit from the additional support of a tutor. There are a number of reasons to hire a tutor, whether to improve a child’s grades or to provide personalized attention to a student. However, when hiring a tutor, it is important to perform preliminary research and find a tutor that is qualified to teach.

Where to Hire a Tutor

Schools: Teacher’s organizations, local schools or colleges may provide resources on tutoring services. Some schools will maintain a list of trusted tutors on hand. Asking local organizations for tutors will provide you with options that are verified by a trusted source. However, one risk is that the list and resources they provide are outdated, providing contacts that may be non-existent.

Private Institutions: There are a number of institutions and private schools that offer tutoring. Private schools are flexible, offering class and private tutoring based on the student’s needs. In addition, some private schools will offer tutors that can teach students from your home, eliminating the need to travel. However, tutoring centers can be quite costly, or may require individuals sign a contract for a certain number of hours.

Online Tutoring Services: Recently, many students have been relying on online tutoring courses or online tutors for help. Many sites offer tutors that can teach from a variety of topics at different levels. Other sites will recommend tutors or private schools in your local area. Before purchasing from an online tutoring website, read reviews from others who have tried the service.

Tips for Choosing Tutoring Services

Goals: What are your expectations for utilizing a tutoring service? Do you want your child to raise their grade, to gain more proficiency in a topic, or simply to gain the motivation to learn? Determining your goals and expectations for tutoring will give you an idea of what kind of tutoring service to use, and what is best for you and your child.

Cost: Many tutors have different rates for their tutoring services. Depending on the topic and the reputation of the tutor, rates can range from $30 to over $100 an hour.

Credentials: Make sure that the tutor or school you are hiring from possesses the necessary credentials and requirements needed to teach. Some important factors to consider when hiring a tutor is their past work experience, references, and education background. Did your prospective tutor complete courses in his or her field? Do they have a teaching credential? These questions will help you understand whether the tutor is qualified and worth your time and money. For more information, the American Tutoring Association provides resources on tutor certification and tutor training.

Personality: The tutor and the tutee will have different personalities and preferences. Before making a commitment, have the two parties meet to determine whether they would be a good match for each other. It is highly important that the tutor possesses a teaching style that can be easily understood by the student.

Ask for Recommendations: Ask your friends, coworkers, and other trusted sources whether they have hired a tutor, and their recommendations. By using a tutor referred by someone you know, you can save yourself the process of checking the tutor’s background and credentials.