How To Find A Good Tutor

Having tuition for a student has been proven to make a difference in his or her academic performances most of the time. Unlike a tuition agency where tutors are assigned to the classes, parents can usually determine the profile of a home tutor for their child.

Selecting the right tutor is very crucial in the student making the most out of the tuition. A good tutor can make a tuition session significantly more beneficial for the child, ensuring that the child not only clears up any doubts about topics taught in school, but also develop the confidence to move on and do well in the subject.

In a nutshell, a good tutor should possess four key elements in order to carry out the tutoring role effectively. They are:

1. Dedication
2. Ability to communicate
3. Competence in subject
4. Class management

1. Dedication
Good tutors have to show a healthy level of dedication and commitment towards their job and more importantly, their students. Only a dedicated tutor who is passionate and willing to take responsibility for his or her students' grades will put in the extra effort to ensure the student improves.

This level of dedication is the difference between tutors who will put in extra hard work and prepare additional materials to help the student, and those who will just show up for tuition, do the necessary tutoring, and leave.

2. Ability to communicate
The ability to communicate allows a tutor to understand the needs of the student. Tutors who are able to communicate with their students find it easier to understand the difficulties faced by their students, and work something out which will best be able to help them.

Communication does not just stop between the student and tutor. Parents play an important part in this too. Tutors who are able to communicate with parents will be able to highlight the strength and weaknesses of the child and involve the parents in bringing out the child's potential.

3. Competence in subject
Needless to say, good tutors should have an acceptable level of competence in the subject that they are teaching. Without a certain level of mastery, it would be extremely difficult to impart the correct knowledge and skills set to their students.

However, mastery in a subject alone may not be enough. Knowing the subject is one thing, being able to teach a student how to master it is another. This is the reason why some sports champions do not turn out to be effective coaches. Good tutors must also be able to use teaching methods that are suitable for their students and impart knowledge in the most effective manner.

4. Class management
Class management consists of mainly the ability to create conducive learning environment for the student, as well as the planning and executing of the tuition session. A good environment allows the student to concentrate and learn in a state of mind that is most empowering.

The flow of the tuition session is something that is often overlooked by tutors. A child can only concentrate for a limited amount of time. Trying to cram as much information as possible will only serve to make the tuition redundant. Therefore, the ability to inject peaks and rest time in tuition is part of good class management that good tutors should possess.

In conclusion, the four key elements mentioned are important areas to determine if a tutor has the ability to bring out the best in a student. Of course, these should not be the only determinants of a good tutor, though you can't go too wrong with them.



The author is from AZ Education, a Singapore Home Tutor Company. To find out how you can find the perfect tutor to complement your child and bring out the best in them, simply visit www.az.com.sg