Tutors help parents create excellent educational opportunities for their kids. Tutors have expert knowledge about certain subjects. They impart their expertise to students in a one-on-one or small-group scenario. Tutors must be able to engage well with children and win their trust. This enhances the learning experience. Tutors work on their own, or can be booked via tutoring agencies.
Popular Tutor Services Include:
Tutoring to help with certain subjects
The South African school curriculum forces teachers to rush through a year’s work and children can’t always keep up. Tutors have regular sessions with their students to help cope with mounds of schoolwork. Together they work through theory so students can grasp concepts. Tutors present exercises to help children get used to new work.
Home tuition services for a unique educational experience
Some South African parents attempt home schooling for their kids. This method is beneficial for children with learning disabilities or those who struggle to concentrate in class. It also affords parents control over their child’s learning experience. There are many home schooling curriculums to follow in South Africa, which enforces self-study, but having a tutor on hand makes study times even more effective.
Home tutoring
In many South African households, both parents need to work for financial reasons. With no one to drop children at extra-curricular activities, it’s ideal when tutors with their own transport offer their services at students’ homes.
Specialised tutoring at learning centres
Some learning centres where tutors work, offer a set curriculum to help students master a certain subject. These centres were created because South African parents saw their children struggled with certain subjects in school, such as mathematics and languages. Students attend group classes after school, but receive individual help when needed.
Extra-curricular tutoring
Tutors for arts or hobbies are also available. In South Africa parents want their children to excel at activities such as music or drama. Tutors help their students master these activities by imparting their own knowledge. This service is available for any age group.
Services to obtain the ideal tutor
Tutoring agencies assist parents in finding the best tutors. Agencies do background checks so parents know tutors are trustworthy. The agencies help with scheduling, administration and payment features.
5 Tips when Hiring a Tutor
1. Confirm a tutor’s background and training
It’s vital you pick a tutor you and your child feels comfortable with. A tutor must have excellent personal skills, and you need to know you can trust him or her alone with your children. It may be pricier to book a tutor through an agency, but knowing his or her credentials and background check out is worth the cost.
2. Set goals to measure progression
Discuss what you—and your child—want to achieve through the tutoring sessions. If you don’t have measurable goals, you’ll feel you’re only wasting money, because you can’t gauge if there’s progress. Ask your child what he or she learnt in each session, so you know it’s benefitting their education.
3. Discuss guidelines for working with your child
A tutor may spend hours with your child without you being present. Make sure the tutor understands your expectation. If you don’t want him or her to cross personal boundaries, say so. A friendship between tutor and student may result in less work getting done. The tutor also needs to know house rules:
- What snacks are allowed?
- May your child use his SmartPhone during the day?
- What safety guidelines do you apply in your home?
This is essential information, especially if you won’t be present during tutoring sessions.
4. Create a friendly environment
If your child is going to spend a lot of time in a certain room during tutoring sessions, transform the area into a comfortable, dynamic place. A boring, dark study isn’t conducive to learning. Painting the area with fun colours or allowing your child to decorate the area, may motivate him or her and make tutoring times seem fun.
5. Build relationship
If you can build a trusting and respectful relationship with the tutor you hire, you may get more value for your money. People are willing to put more effort into their work if they feel respected, comfortable and appreciated. Your child will benefit in turn.