Investing in private academic tutoring can be a difficult decision. While specific types of tutoring may have unique benefits, certain aspects of the student-tutor relationship are essential. When looking into tutoring, be sure to keep these important ideas in mind to ensure that student needs are being met:
1. Student-Tutor Rapport: The relationship that develops between student and tutor is one of the greatest benefits of private tutoring. After becoming familiar with a student, a tutor should be able to approach his/her student in a way that fits with the student's learning style. It can be extremely beneficial for students to receive different perspectives on difficult material, and tutors can complement the lessons students receive in school and present material in more understandable ways. Worthwhile tutors should also be enthusiastic and nurturing when dealing with students, pushing them to succeed while offering support through challenging classes. Students often prefer working with a tutor rather than getting help from parents or teachers, and this enthusiasm and willingness to work can make a big difference for many students. When matched with tutors who they relate to and enjoy working with, students often become more passionate and engaged in their studies, significantly improving classroom performance.
2. A Nurturing Environment: To ensure that students are getting the most out of their academic tutoring, the tutoring environment must be conducive to learning. Many students struggle in the classroom because it is a noisy, distracting atmosphere, but tutoring should be designed to limit these distractions as much as possible. Tutors should create a quiet and welcoming environment that encourages easily-distracted students to focus and shy students to ask questions they hesitate to bring up in a classroom. An effective tutoring environment can be of particular importance to students with learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder who may have an especially tough time in conventional classroom settings.
3. Academic Expertise: Whether a student needs intensive help on a specific topic (e.g. Algebra, Spanish, or Chemistry) or just general support with homework and other assignments, tutors must have mastery of the material being covered. Tutors who know material well can help guide students finish make-up work, complete difficult assignments, and prepare for tests and exams. Unlike school teachers, who must balance time and energy commitments to the rest of a student's class, private tutors can focus intensely on a specific student's needs as they work through material together. Academic tutors can also move students through significant amounts of material relatively quickly, making studying and homework time more efficient for busy students.
4. Communication: Perhaps most importantly, it is important to have clear and open communication with an academic tutor. Tutors obviously work closely with students, but they should also be willing to communicate regularly with parents, teachers, and counselors to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that students are getting the help they really need. Regular conversations and progress reports can help keep parents in the loop; tutors should be willing to help facilitate communication amongst everyone involved in a student's education.
Families who can find tutoring options that satisfy these characteristics typically see their students establish tutoring relationships and improve academically. Knowing what to look for in a tutor can make it much easier for families to find tutors who will help their students achieve outstanding results in the classroom.