Could there be an ultimate benchmark to pick out the perfect tutor for your child? Let’s put it this way, it takes a combination of things to create one.
What’s the one ultimate benchmark when it comes to picking the right tutor for your child?
None.
All students, as well as parents, have different wants and needs.
And that alone can make it daunting when looking for the right tutor for your child.
You don’t want to waste unnecessary time and (especially) money before you pick the perfect tutor for your little kid, right?
Free trial lesson is certainly a bonus. It’s a great opportunities for ice-breakers and lets you know what you need to know about the tutor.
But what if you don’t get a trial lesson?
Read on for the 6 must-dos to determine if you’re on the right path to finding the right tutor for your child.
Must-Do 1: Review Their Qualifications
As parents, it’s logical to do your own checks when you’re hiring the perfect tutor.
Remember the tutor who faked his credentials a few years back?
Unfortunately, Singapore doesn’t have a universal certification program that trains tutor as professional.
LEARN HOW WE SCREEN OUR TUTORS
Educational certificates is one deciding factor to selecting the right tutor. The other? Tutor experience and relevance.So how else can you decide if the tutors are qualified?
Can you imagine what your child can learn from a professional physicist? Probably great knowledge on science and math.
But you’d also need to make sure the tutor knows how to teach.
What do we mean by that? Easy.
Here’s an example:
Student: Why does the 3 angles of a triangle adds up to 180?
Physicist: The proof Gary Aragon has given illustrates the key point: the interior angles add up to 180 degrees when there is a unique line through a given point parallel to a given line not through that point. The existence of the unique parallel lines is one of Euclid’s axioms, a “self evident truth”. In fact, the two statements are equivalent: the angles add to 180 degrees if and only if there are unique (in the above sense) parallel lines.
Student: …
That’s an exaggeration. But you get what we mean.
Must-Do 2: Speak To Your Child
Nothing matters more than your child’s opinion to choosing the suitable tutor for them.
Don’t rely on your instinct (unless you’re Sherlock Holmes) to know what your kid feels.
When the trial or first lesson is over, sit them down and talk to them.
If you need some help, here are some other questions to ask your child:
Do you like the way the tutor answers your questions?
Are they open to questions?
Do they spur your enthusiasm?
Are they able to make you feel better about the subject?
Would you like to see them again?
Do you prefer a group or one-to-one tuition?
Remember, your child doesn’t need another parent. Find a tutor whom they’re comfortable with and makes them look forward to their next lesson.
Must-Do 3: Check The Teaching Materials
Your goal here is to make sure the materials used are in line with your child’s school work and they do not contradict.
Some tutors employ a different methods of teaching such as flashcards. It’s alright to use alternative teaching methods as long as it fits your kid’s learning style.
Don’t be afraid to ask if the tutor has other tricks up their sleeves. Have them explain how their teaching methods benefit your kid.
Whatever material they use, you’re the one who’ve got to decide whether they’re the right fit.
Must-Do 4: Assess The Results Now
Waiting for the next school assessment to determine if the tutor is perfect for your child is like being in the same job for 10 years before noticing it’s not the right job for you.
It doesn’t make much sense.
Instead, you can deduce if the tutor is ideal for your child by regularly sitting in lessons, question the tutor, evaluate the teaching methods etc.
For example, a good tutor should be able to explain simple concepts like rounding off and conversions to your child with ease and finesse.
Also, it’s important not to use grades as the main indicator is the tutor is the best choice for your young one.
Must-Do 5: Know How Much You’re Paying
Yes, money! It can be a major part of the selection process.
As your child progresses, so will the cost of tuition.
Why?
Because tutors expected to be paid more, especially in critical milestone examinations like PSLE.
The costs in tuition centres are more or less fixed, which is a disadvantage as compared to private tutors.
A good practice is consider the price package from Pri 1 to Pri 6, if you’re considering a centre, include a 10% provision for any unwelcomed price hikes.
If you prefer a private tutor, that’s fine too.
Must-Do 6: Start From The Beginning
Work out a package for all 6 years, match your budget to their expectations and expect to pay an additional 50% premium if your tutor is NIE trained.
Here’s the secret behind picking the right tutor for your child: asking your child.
Are you sure they really need one?
See signs that will help decide if your child needs tuition. Or discuss with them if they feel that tuition can help improve in their weak areas.
Finding the right tutor may be challenging, but it’s not impossible. The best part? It doesn’t have to be expensive.
Tuition is definitely not a one size fits all, not all expensive tutors are good tutors. Your child has his/her own learning curve, a good tutor should be one who is able to work with your child in their own pace and language.