The most Googled questions about tutoring, answered by an education expert
During the pandemic, learning and education shifted online. Gone were the classrooms, pupils and teachers, the reality soon became learning via a screen at home. Even though it was a hot topic, many people are still unaware of the concept of one-to-one learning, and the benefits it can bring. With traditional learning back in action, tutoring is still misunderstood, and the effectiveness of the platform is often overlooked. Whether you want to become a tutor yourself, or need one-to-one help with your subjects or course, these are the common questions that people turn to Google for.
To help bridge the gap between the facts and myths, education expert at The Profs, Richard Evans has answered the most Googled questions about tutoring.
1. What skills and qualities are needed to be a tutor?
As a tutor, you are a guide to the student on their way to achieving a goal. A good tutor must be able to help with the basics and guide the student to success. While working with students, you must always follow their educational needs, even if it goes against what you would normally do in your classes. Because of this, you have to be flexible with your methods while tutoring. You can not teach or lecture them like you would any other class. Also, you have to take into consideration that your student may not know all of the information you are giving them.
It is also very important that you have knowledge about the subject you are tutoring in because it allows you to explain concepts better to your students and gives you credibility over someone who is less experienced in the subject than yourself. Finally you need a love for the job – to perform well as a tutor, the subject and teaching must be something you thoroughly enjoy.
2. How long does an average tutoring lesson last?
The time required for tutoring sessions is always a very important question for students, since you want to be sure they are getting the most out of their sessions. The minimum amount of time needed per session depends on a number of factors: what level the student is at, how long they’ve been studying, whether they are using online or in-person classes, and if they need extra help with specific areas. We usually recommend 1 hour for primary, 90 minutes up to GCSE and 2 hours beyond that, and then adjust depending on the student’s concentration levels and frequency of sessions.
3. Does tutoring improve grades?
In addition to helping you to succeed, hiring a tutor can pay real dividends – 81% of our students achieved a grade increase in their final examinations. One-on-one tutoring sessions are more comprehensive than group learning because they allow a tutor to help with specific problem areas. The student will be able to work on these problems and gain the skills needed to conquer them on his or her own. They can help you to understand how to interpret a question, break down an assignment into manageable components, and approach a problem from different angles.
4. Can tutoring be a full-time job?
Tutoring offers great flexibility – if you want to work part-time, it’s easy to do so. You can also do it alongside another job or career, which means you don’t have to give up your financial independence or professional identity. It can also make for a rewarding full-time career, 38 of our tutors have earned over £100,000 and some top tutors have earned over half a million. The average rate for a private tutor session is between £30 and £42 per hour. We start at £50ph and that rate can increase upwards of £200ph for the very most in demand professional tutors.
5. Which is better between online or in-person tutoring?
The best method of tutoring depends largely on the student’s needs. Online tutoring has the benefit of being accessible around the clock and to everyone. The drawback is that students need an internet connection that can support video chat, as well as reliable computer equipment. In-person tutoring is limited by location and availability, but it allows for a more in-depth exchange between student and tutor. This type of tutoring is great for students who are interested in speaking with someone face-to-face about their problems or issues. The drawback is that it often requires more time out of class and after lessons, which means more time away from studying other subjects.
For anyone post 13 years old, with the exception of special educational needs, I believe that online tutoring is better. Ask tutors about their online set up and experience because only the very best tutors are making the most of new technologies: interactive software, recording snippets of sessions, online whiteboards such as BitPaper.io and remote control and screen sharing options to bring sessions to life.
This piece was brought to you by the experts at https://www.theprofs.co.uk
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