Before hiring an English tutor, you must first determine if you tend to prefer in-person or virtual instruction.
If you identify more with the first choice, you can search for a private tutor at a nearby language school or reputable job listing websites where independent tutors advertise their services.
However, it is highly important to remember that employing a traditional tutor can impose some restrictions on you. Nonetheless, if you choose to hire an online tutor for your child, though, I’d ask you to keep an eye on several things. Keep reading to know more about them.
What is Online Tuition?
Providing educational help through an online platform, online tutoring uses video conferencing tools like Zoom. It usually consists of a tutor who will give lessons to a single student or a small group of them on a specific subject. The approaches, on the other hand, are adjusted considering the subject and the level of understanding of the student.
In some specific situations, an english tuition in Ang Mo Kio can assist students in improving their abilities in a particular subject by offering additional resources for studying and reviewing.
Tutors assist students in finishing the school tasks given to them in different scenarios. Getting ready for standardized exams is a frequently seen application of online tutoring.
So, now that we’ve got it out of the way, let’s see what you should look for if you’re considering hiring an online tutor.
1: Availability
Since online tutoring can occur in any location with an internet connection, it is feasible that your most suitable match resides hundreds of miles apart.
Make sure to verify your tutor’s time zone when choosing them. Make sure they are comfortable meeting at your desired time if there is a significant time gap.
It is advisable to pay attention to the times when you feel the most awake and ready to absorb new information. Are the mornings early? What about the evenings following dinner? Locating a tutor available during those time slots will increase the effectiveness of your tutoring program.
2: Communication and Compatibility
Effective communication is crucial for a successful relationship between a tutor and a student. It holds particularly true during online tutoring when there are few face-to-face interactions.
Search for a tutor who replies quickly, provides detailed answers and shows authentic interest in conversing. Effective communication between students and tutors creates a strong connection that greatly contributes to the student’s dedication and achievement in learning.
Finding a tutor-tutee relationship with compatibility is possibly the most crucial quality to seek. What is the tutor’s approach to interacting and involving the student?
Is the tutor friendly and easy to talk to? Does the student feel accepted and appreciated? And above all, does the tutor’s instruction approach align with the student’s learning preference?
These are the questions that you need to find an answer to before hiring someone.
3: Expertise
A tutor must exhibit a high level of knowledge in their field of expertise. The definition of expertise may differ based on what you require.
For instance, a university student who excels academically can effectively tutor younger students in elementary and middle school.
High school and upper-level students might favor expert online tutors who have certifications from universities or academic institutions.
For instance, a French tutor who holds accreditation from European Language Certificates, along with more than three years of teaching experience, could be an excellent choice for a student of the French language. If you need help preparing for standardized tests, be sure to seek out a tutor who is knowledgeable about the specific exam.
4: 1-on-1 or Group Tuition
Another option is to consider if you prefer individual instruction or lessons in a group setting.
During individual lessons, you receive ample opportunity to speak your heart out, and the entire session is dedicated to you. However, their cost is higher.
In group lessons, the expenses are divided among all participants. But you also divide the speaking time and receive assistance from the instructor.
The best choice for you will partially depend on your specific needs and preferred learning style. However, studies indicate that individual tutoring is often more successful than conventional classroom approaches.
5: Avoid Looking at Their Social Media Presence
The competition between influencers teaching English online has increased.
Foreign language teachers can now be found on various social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, attracting a large number of followers.
Even though social media is a good platform for finding proficient English teachers, do not confuse a high number of followers with being a proficient educator. Many factors that lead to success on social media differ from those required to succeed as an English teacher.
The opposite also holds true: having a limited social media following doesn’t indicate being an ineffective teacher. Some of the most exceptional teachers I have collaborated with have minimal to no presence on social media.
Does Online Tutoring Work at All?
The Covid-19 outbreak prompted fresh studies on the efficiency of remote education and internet-based learning systems.
The findings illuminate the positive effects online tutoring has on students.
A study observed how three online math tutoring sessions each week, lasting 50 minutes, impacted students aged 12 to 15. The researchers discovered that tutoring resulted in increased standardized test scores and grades.
Students who received online tutoring were also less inclined to be held back a grade. Similar results have been found in other studies.
However, Online tutoring not only gives students additional learning resources but also offers them dedicated study time. It provides students with a rather secure or encouraging environment to inquire and learn from errors.
On the other hand, face-to-face tutoring is better when helping a student improve their test score and grades. When you consider the extra advantages of online tutoring, like greater flexibility, some may argue that online tutoring is ultimately more effective than in-person tutoring.
Nevertheless, online tutoring might not be as beneficial for students who are unfamiliar with remote education.
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