If your child is struggling with English or lacks confidence, you may be wondering whether to look for a private tutor. Here are some questions you could ask yourself right now.
- What does your child think? Some students are keen to find extra help, especially if that means they will have individual attention from someone prepared to listen to them, tailor sessions to their needs and collaborate on the way forward. Others, for diverse reasons, are less enthusiastic. Those in the latter camp may agree to meet with a tutor for an informal chat, along with their parent/s, and review afterwards how they feel about tuition. It may even be worth planning a ‘pilot’ session, just one hour’s tuition to get to know the tutor and see how they feel about one-to-one work. For regular tuition to make a difference, the student needs to be on board with the idea and committed to working with the tutor.
- Is your child willing to do some extra work? At the very least, extra tuition will mean an hour out of their week when they will have to sit down and engage 100% with the tutor and the subject. It’s also likely they will have some extra reading and/or writing to do between sessions. The homework I set is always collaborative. I ask my students whether they feel a certain task will be helpful, or whether they are willing to have a go and trust me on the results. And I always, always encourage them to read more. Reading for pleasure is incredibly valuable but it does take time and effort to develop the habit.
- Do you have time in your schedule? Even if the tutor visits your home, as I do, you will need to find a mutually convenient hour after school or at the weekend when your child is not too tired and when there is a relatively quiet and undisturbed space in your home for the session to take place. This may mean examining your child’s schedule but also your own and those of any siblings. A stressed and overwhelmed student may become anxious if yet another commitment is fitted into an already packed schedule.
- How will you go about finding a tutor? The best way to find someone suitable is by word of mouth. Almost all of my students’ parents have found me through recommendations. If you are going to make a financial investment in your child’s education and invite someone into your home to spend time with your child, you want to know that others have had a positive experience with that person. I have also been through this process as a parent. At the beginning of our home education journey, my son had several tutors covering subjects that I felt were vital and beyond my abilities. Those tutors either came highly recommended or were already known to me. In addition, be prepared to speak to more than one potential tutor before deciding to go ahead. You and your child should feel comfortable with the person you choose.
- Are you looking for a driving test pass or to be a safe driver for life? Yes, I know we are talking about school subjects here rather than driving lessons, but the analogy is helpful. A good driving instructor will teach their students how to drive as well as how to pass the test. You need both. The same goes for GCSEs. Exam grades are important and working with tutor should help your teenager to improve their writing, understanding and ability to answer exam questions, which in turn should improve their grades. But English, in particular, covers several vital life skills. English teaches us to listen, to read intelligently and to write fluently. Literature helps us to develop our imagination and critical skills. Improving these skills will prepare your child for their exams but will also fit them better for adult life.
How did you find yourself answering these questions? They may provide helpful direction for your family conversations around this important decision. If you’d like to chat with me, get in touch via the Contact page or on Facebook.
