Helpful tips for those who decide to become a tutor

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Introducing a guest post by Val Scherbak. He decided to share his experience of tutoring and tell how to succeed in this difficult field.

Many of us are capable of teaching other people something. The desire to transfer knowledge usually motivates people to become teachers and work in schools or universities. But you can go the other way. For example, to become a private teacher - tutor.

A tutor is a fairly free person, he does not have overseers in the form of, say, a head teacher or a vice-rector. However, in such seemingly free and creative work as tutoring, there are all sorts of nuances that should be taken into account and for which it is necessary to prepare, deciding to teach someone at home.

I have been teaching Russian language and literature to children and adults in private for two years now and I want to share some experience.

If you decide to become a tutor, the first step is to place an ad.

Take care of the absolute literacy of the text, even if you are going to teach pottery, and not even the Russian language.

Specify the area - this way you will filter out obviously unsuitable clients. It is advisable to write your name in full, and not just "Lyalya" or "Anya". Add your last name and the level of trust of potential customers will increase. It is also advisable to attach your own photo, and not a picture of a schoolboy sweating from zeal.

Now let's figure out what you need to be prepared for when you undertake to help someone study science, even if this science is mathematics in elementary grades. I'll tell you about the example of teaching schoolchildren.

1. Immediately explain to the parents of the students that you are not a magician and cannot instantly turn a C grade student into an excellent student. Or maybe you won't scrape together a four in a year, because a lot, but far from everything, depends on the teacher. This must be stated clearly, so that later there are no complaints. There are people who sincerely believe: since they paid money, it means they bought knowledge and good grades at school.
2. Not all students will like you, but they must like you., otherwise they just scatter. Therefore, you - the free sculptor of the child's mind - will have to sweat to find an approach to each of them without showing negative emotions. Of course, it is necessary to make a suggestion to a child if he does not complete his homework or is late, the main thing is not to overdo it. Do not humiliate students, be friendly, joke, and they will respond in kind.
3. Always keep feedback from your parents. Even if, in your opinion, the training is proceeding smoothly, there is progress, the parents may have a different opinion. In addition, it is not known what the child tells about you at home. Call, communicate, share your thoughts, praise or scold your child (however, express your dissatisfaction very tactfully). In general, let your parents see or hear you. They need to know that their money is not going into a silent void.
4. Prepare diligently for classes, make a plan. You don't need to rely on improvisation and your own pedagogical talent. In every case, discipline and consistency are important. In education, perhaps, especially. Do not worry that you may not know something, not understand the question. Tell the student to clarify this point. Of course, do not forget to understand the issue afterwards.
5. If a student behaves very badly - whines, does not complete assignments, looks at his watch every two minutes, snaps, etc. - say goodbye to him. No need to harass yourself. As a result, you can break into a child, and then it will fly to you from your parents. Why spoil your image? Explain politely to the parents that the child may not be ready for individual lessons yet.
6. Schoolchildren, especially younger ones, physically cannot sit out an hour of class, and even tête-à-tête with the teacher. If the child, in general responsible and quick-witted, in the end begins to yawn and slow down, shorten the lesson time. Be sure to inform your parents about this, they most likely will not mind. Accordingly, the payment will decrease, but for us the main thing is the result, not the money, isn't it?
7. If after the lesson the student forgot to pay - do not hesitate to remind him. Do not think what he will bring next time. What if it doesn't? You never know: forgot, lost, spent on nuts. And at home they may not know about it.
8. Get ready for what your class schedule will constantly change, you will have to adapt to the students. Moreover, pupils will be late or skip classes altogether, often without warning. It is advisable to remind you of your lesson the night before with a call or message.

In tutoring, as in any other job, responsibility, diligence and focus on good results are important. But, above all, a teacher is a creative profession, sometimes devastating even a significant reserve of spiritual and physical strength.

Respect your work and the work of your students. And remember, teaching someone is sometimes more difficult than learning.