All About Finding & Evaluating Tutors

[ppnqq]

janet_lee88:

Hi ppnqq,

Glad to know there are tutors who prepare lessons like yourself. Understanding the student and his/her interests in order to gain the attention is crucial. It's tough to do this in such a short period of time. Students have their own workload and piling on more work on them is cruel.

Nothing is impossible. That is so very true. My son didn't do well in P2 CA/SA but suddenly he had the interest in Maths in Term 3. He scored 92 for Maths, bringing up overall score and got 2nd in class. His form teacher was amazed. We used that example to remind him that if he puts in effort and interest, nothing is impossible.

Yes, that's very true. Most tutors just keep piling up tons and tons of work on the tutees. I never believe in that. Although it may help for some but this is also one of the 'side effects' that pulls the grades down too. Again, understanding and to find out the root problem is still one of the main concerns.

Understanding the students/tutees is indeed very crucial and important but again, it is not impossible to do so within a short period of time. But of course, may be the more experienced ones are better at it because basically children are 'divided' into a few groups. They are not as complex as adults. Just observe closely and pay more attention to them, not that tough actually.

As long as all of us are willing to put in our effort and work hard, we can see the results because EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE if we are willing to help ourselves by putting in at least some effort.

Good to hear your child has picked up his confidence in the subject, that is very important and I believe you helped a great deal too. Kudos to you both! :celebrate:

[josephine_ng]

ppnqq: I have to agree that there are students who flunk their exams and we can do a crash course to help them score. However, what I am particularly referring to for this tutee is: -


1. he does not have a english background
2. it is not about him not knowing how to answer exam questions but the foundations are not there
3. he only have a lesson, 1.5hours per week
4. since he is only in P4 next year, I aim to make sure his foundations are there all the way even until he completes secondary school

And yes, I agree that there are tutors who do not prepare and plan lessons for their students anymore. It is very important that these tutors customise their tuitions because every child is different. Some tutors nowadays just take it as a good paying job and do not have the passion/ethics in teaching. Those parents who are not around to oversee the whole tuition will not know what is going on.

Sigh! I think we should set up a sticky post to boycott those tutors and warn unknown parents not to waste time and money on these tutors. I read about this post in the forum that a polytechnic student actually made the student learn simultaneous for problem sums. :x

[ppnqq]

josephine_ng:

ppnqq: I have to agree that there are students who flunk their exams and we can do a crash course to help them score. However, what I am particularly referring to for this tutee is: -


1. he does not have a english background
2. it is not about him not knowing how to answer exam questions but the foundations are not there
3. he only have a lesson, 1.5hours per week
4. since he is only in P4 next year, I aim to make sure his foundations are there all the way even until he completes secondary school

And yes, I agree that there are tutors who do not prepare and plan lessons for their students anymore. It is very important that these tutors customise their tuitions because every child is different. Some tutors nowadays just take it as a good paying job and do not have the passion/ethics in teaching. Those parents who are not around to oversee the whole tuition will not know what is going on.

Sigh! I think we should set up a sticky post to boycott those tutors and warn unknown parents not to waste time and money on these tutors. I read about this post in the forum that a polytechnic student actually made the student learn simultaneous for problem sums. :x

Hi, I get what you mean. In fact, the tutee I mentioned also faced the same situation as yours do.

1. He is also one from a Chinese background because his parents are from Malaysia and not educated at all. They speak only dialect and occasional Mandarin at home.

2. At that time, they just migrated from Malaysia to Sg, hence he had zero foundation in English too.

May be you can try to 'tailor-make' his lessons and work according to his interest, character and weaknesses, which I did for my case.

I believe you'll succeed in helping him to score better if the both of you work harder. You try to observe him more closely and if possible, let him open up to you so you'll have an easier time and able to help him better.

Good luck and all the best to you and yes, agree that if parents can have a list of the tutors' feedback would be great.

[WS1234567]

I think parents have to be realistic. If you are an experienced tutor, you should try to let the parent have a clear picture of the situation and not make promises of improvements just so that as to keep your job and income.

You’ll be putting yourself in a very embarassing situation should the tutee do really badly.
Personally, I screen the parents. If I can feel that the parent is the unrealistic and disillusioned sort while talking to the parent, I will not take up the job.
Some parents think that just with tuition and no change in lifestyle or habits of the tutee there will be improvements.
Don’t forget it takes two hands to clap. The tutee has to be a responsible student and play his role well too.

[tuition.032653town]

Hi parents


As your children are unique and special, it is understandable that different teaching styles be adopted when tutoring your children. It is entirely possible for you to state your expectations of the desired tutor, so that the agency can match a tutor who is best suited for your children’s needs. When contacting an agency, you need to state what works best for your children, for example, strict tutor, enthusiastic tutor, so that we can provide a good match for you. Tuition agencies are more than happy when you state your preferences as that would mean a higher level of customer satisfaction. Personally, I only recommend the best tutors to my customers, who become my friends eventually, often sharing their concerns with me freely. It is a win-win situation.

[nani]

for your Pri/Sec child, which of the following will you consider and why?


1) Poly / Undergrade student tutors

2) Full time Tutors

3) Working adults Tutor

4) Current or Ex school teacher

[hometutors.018849sg]

nani:

for your Pri/Sec child, which of the following will you consider and why?


1) Poly / Undergrade student tutors

2) Full time Tutors

3) Working adults Tutor

4) Current or Ex school teacher

Depends on the parent budget.

Most clients are comfortable with university undergrads

Teachers and full time tutor command a higher rate.

[BlueBells]

I will go for one that can relate to the child, engaged him, as well as one who can explain and make my child see light of the question.

[meinteel]

nani:

for your Pri/Sec child, which of the following will you consider and why?


1) Poly / Undergrade student tutors

2) Full time Tutors

3) Working adults Tutor

4) Current or Ex school teacher

JC/Undergrad Student tutors
- Familiar with syllabus esp. for secondary school when recent grad
- May lack experience (esp compared to teachers)
- No formal training
- Might be able to relate to students better than older students
- Academic/Teaching capabilities unverified.
- Rates vary from low to high.

Full time/Working adult tutors - I dont see any good benefits expect for experience. IMO not in touch with syllabus, generally older and thus no \"age benefit\". No formal training, academic & teaching capabilities unverified. Tend to charge higher than student tutors but I see no good reason.

Current/Ex School Tutors
- Formal training
- Academic & teaching capabilities verified.
- Experienced
- Familiar with syllabus
- know of marking scheme
- Rates tend to be on the higher end (expect $40-$200 per hour)

[sunnydays]

Actually I am fine with anyone who CAN really teach my children. I will just ask around and see. It doesn’t mean that Current or Ex school teacher can teach better. I have heard that some school teachers can’t even teach properly! Wonder how they pass their NIE.