All About Market Rates of Private Tutors

[Mdm Koh]

It doesn’t seem possible for a 22-year-old to have 6 years’ experience teaching in a government school. That would mean she started teaching when she was 16 years old? I think that you should ask for the soft copy of the certs from the second tuition agent, just to be on the safe side. After all, you will be paying the tutor according to his or her qualifications.

[julialai]

Mdm Koh:

Hi vinegar,


I think you should check the credentials of the so-called ex-teacher from New Town Primary. Tuition agencies will normally ask us to bring our certs or photocopies of our certs at the first lesson, whether or not the parent requests to see them. The fact that the tuition agent told you that there's no need to check is not in line with common practices in the industry.

I think we must personally verify the tutor's qualifications. I had an experience with a tuition agent who ensured this was done properly and she gave me a very good impression.

I engaged a tutor for my nephew through a tuition agent who is an ex-teacher. It was a refreshing change from the other tuition agents whom I talked to earlier. First, she asked me what were our concerns about the child's work and our expectations from the tutor, then she gave me some advice on suitable lesson materials which we could purchase from Popular. A few days later, she found an ex- teacher who had special needs training (my nephew is dyslexic). Apparently, she had taken time to talk to quite a few teachers to shortlist the right tutor for my nephew. She then scanned soft copy of tutor's education certs and photo to me. When the tutor turned up for the first lesson, she showed my brother her certs too. After the first lesson, the agent personally called to ensure that the tutor-student chemistry is right and all is in order.

This is a far cry from agents who just shove a tutor to us because they want to close the deal quickly.

[Just relax]

Yup the problem is parents do not check credentials, which I find very puzzling. Why do parents think they can simply trust a stranger from a tuition centre? You are allowing 1 stranger to recommend another stranger to enter your house and teach your child, that i find very strange!


If the tutor is recommended by family or friends then you should still check unless the tutor already has a track record such as having taught your family or friends’ DC.

[vinegar]

thanks for all ur advices. I’ll request for her certs.


Well, i’ve requested the agent many times n she kept saying this is NOT a normal practices. Other parents also NVR ask.

[vinegar]

She has taught 3 lessons. I’ve paid the agent for the first two lessons. Is there a minimum period that i nid to engage the tutor?


what is the best way to pay her for that one lesson? In the past,i’ve encountered the tutor called n scolded me coz she didn’t receive the first payment fr. agent(long story,at the end,it was the tutor’s fault,coz she gave the wrong branch code to the agent).The tutor is Mrs Chen,ex-teacher fr. lakeside pri.beware! She even threaten me that she’ll bring me & agent to small claims.Anyway,the amt is only S$30.

I think i’ve no luck in getting a good tutor.

[vinegar]

Chk wf u, do u on the aircon when the tutor is here? Do u allow ur tutor to look ard a house?

[vinegar]

just relax,

tuition centres who offer 1-1 tuition at their centre? any recommendation?

julialai ,
would u mind recommend ur tuition agent?

[julialai]

vinegar:

just relax,

tuition centres who offer 1-1 tuition at their centre? any recommendation?

julialai ,
would u mind recommend ur tuition agent?

The tuition agent is called Priscilla. You can contact her at [email protected]. I don't know her personally, another KSP recommended her on another thread, so I tried, her service is very good. Hope it helps

[Mdm Koh]

vinegar:

She has taught 3 lessons. I've paid the agent for the first two lessons. Is there a minimum period that i nid to engage the tutor?


what is the best way to pay her for that one lesson? In the past,i've encountered the tutor called n scolded me coz she didn't receive the first payment fr. agent(long story,at the end,it was the tutor's fault,coz she gave the wrong branch code to the agent).The tutor is Mrs Chen,ex-teacher fr. lakeside pri.beware! She even threaten me that she'll bring me & agent to small claims.Anyway,the amt is only S$30.

I think i've no luck in getting a good tutor.

The agent will pro-rate the fee for the tutor. If the tutor has only given your child 3 lessons, her fee will be the fee from 3 lessons divided by 2 (half for agent; half for tutor).

vinegar:

Chk wf u, do u on the aircon when the tutor is here? Do u allow ur tutor to look ard a house?

My students switch on the air-con or fan, as Singapore is quite warm and the rooms can be stuffy. Tutors don't wander around their students' houses, unless the parents offer to show them around.

[Just relax]

vinegar:

just relax,

tuition centres who offer 1-1 tuition at their centre? any recommendation?

julialai ,
would u mind recommend ur tuition agent?

The tuition centre we used was called EdQuest just next to United Square. The tutors are all China nationals so DCs oral was good. They produce their own worksheets which are used also by the group tuition. I used them only because I wanted some structure to the 1-1 tuition. They followed the text book very closely and will also mark the exam papers that your DC does as practice.