All About Finding & Evaluating Tutors

[Spire Tutors]

angwc:

Sad to say, there is no 100% sure get A. If not whole singapore everyone gets A.


It takes 2 hands to clap, the tutor's quality of teaching and also student's ability and attitude.

I have taught in a JC with many students and tutored many students for 1 to 1 basis. So far all students show improvement but to what extend varies from one person to another. I have students after 2 months jumped from U to B, while another student after 2 months jump from U to E. The U to B student is more hardworking and will do some assignment I give, while the U to E student seems to be sleeping in school as his notes are all empty.

Tutors from top school need not be good as they can solve complex problems but it is also useless if they cannot TEACH your child how to solve them. Personally all the qualifications like PhD or Masters don't matter that much as you don't need them for A level math or below. It is more of the effort and creative teaching methods that matters more.

If you need any opinions on how to choose a tutor feel free to contact me. I will be glad to give my opinions.

Cheers
Mr Ang
A level Math tutor (former JC lecturer)
94385929

Hi all,

We are a tuition agency and we'll like to share our two-cents' worth on tutor quality.

As an agency, we sit at the interface between parents/students and tutors. Our main goal is to find a best fit between these 2 parties. There are many factors that come into play when determining a best-fit - tutor credentials, timings, fee rates, student's requirements, etc.

While most parents tend to focus on the hard-skills of the tutor - academic credentials, years of experience, teaching methodologies - they tend to overlook the soft-skills.

Most adults readily agree that soft-skills are crucial in the workplace and culture-fit usually determines very early on the career progress of an individual. When even adults appreciate that people-savvy helps lubricate working relationships, what more children and adolescent students?

Children and youth are highly sensitive and aware of those they interact with. Bond with them quickly and you can work wonders with them. The soft-skills of a tutor is very crucial in determining if the tuition engagement with the child will be a fruitful one.

Mr Ang mentioned taking 2 hands to clap. We agree with this. At times, the student finds it hard to clap with the tutor simply because of soft-skills misfits.

Parents who understand this will be quick to recognise a tutor who has strong people-skills on top of solid credentials. Such tutors are a gem. In time, they play the role of a mentor to your child and that's when the investment in tuition really pays off.

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[bright-culture]

Getting a tutor is like getting into a relationship! Both parties have to click and engaging a good tutor is like getting into a relationship! Both parties have to click and have the special chemistry between them. The tutor being the senior, friend, teacher, and mentor, has to get to know the student well first. Teaching is not important at the beginning as a tuition session only lasts 1.5h to 2h a week. Can the tutor make use of the 1.5h to 2h to inspire and motivate the child to study by himself for the rest of the week? That's what I called tutoring from my years of experience! It is indeed a role that grants me satisfaction in life! :rahrah:

[janet88]

bright-culture:

Getting a tutor is like getting into a relationship! Both parties have to click and engaging a good tutor is like getting into a relationship! Both parties have to click and have the special chemistry between them. The tutor being the senior, friend, teacher, and mentor, has to get to know the student well first.

if both parties can earn the trust and like each other, then the student will do any homework set by the tutor.

[zbear]

Since CNY is round the corner, I like to know - do parents give RP to tutors when they give you oranges?


If yes, what is the norm/market rate for a RP?

[janet88]

zbear:

Since CNY is round the corner, I like to know - do parents give RP to tutors when they give you oranges?


If yes, what is the norm/market rate for a RP?

I do give a 'lai see' to the tutor...$20.

[12mum]

zbear:

Since CNY is round the corner, I like to know - do parents give RP to tutors when they give you oranges?


If yes, what is the norm/market rate for a RP?

I only give to 1-1 tutor, not fixed. $10 or $20.

Tuition center tutors, no, I don't give. My kids will just wish them happy new year.

[TheAnswer]

There is no need to give tutors Ang Pows. If they give u oranges. You can exchange with them.

[zbear]

TheAnswer:

There is no need to give tutors Ang Pows. If they give u oranges. You can exchange with them.

OIC. I thot its a must to give RP once they give you oranges.

[Lenny08]

zbear:

TheAnswer:

There is no need to give tutors Ang Pows. If they give u oranges. You can exchange with them.

OIC. I thot its a must to give RP once they give you oranges.

What if tutor never bring oranges at all? Do we give RP?

[TheAnswer]

zbear:

TheAnswer:

There is no need to give tutors Ang Pows. If they give u oranges. You can exchange with them.

OIC. I thot its a must to give RP once they give you oranges.

Not in my opinion. If your tutor gives you oranges and expect ang pow in return then I have a poor opinion of them. My students' parents usually give me CNY cookies (I turn them down but they will say for my kids bobian have to take). Maybe cos I am married so no angpow but in any case, ang pow should be given as a blessing. Not a must. I think exchanging oranges is good enough. It is the thought that counts.

But if u r giving them ang pow regardless of whether they bring u oranges anot then it is a different story.

I also keep spare ang pows (of varying amounts) in my bag in case they wanna give ang pows to my kids, I will give my students too. I prefer not to take advantage of them. If they give cookies for my kids, I also give ang pows. However, I try not to initiate in case they feel uncomfortable.