Four P’s to look out for in your first tutoring sessions

October 12, 2019

• Advice for Parents

You’ve decided that your son or daughter could do with some extra support outside of the classroom in the form of tutoring sessions, and have finally made the decision on which agency or freelance tutor to go for. But how do you know if you’ve made the right choice? Here are the four key P’s to look out for during those early sessions:

1. Professionalism. Whether you have gone for a very experienced ex-teacher, or a bright young grad student, every tutor should be well-presented and professional. Costs should always be agreed upfront, and references or qualifications should be available from the tutor or the agency if requested. Arriving late, cancelling last minute, or looking like they’ve turned up with little preparation are all red flags that a tutor may not be taking your lesson as seriously as they should be.
2. Personality. The major advantage of tutoring is that the student gets a chance to work one-on-one with undivided attention. There should be a good bond between your child and their tutor if they are going to get the maximum benefit from this. Ask your child if they are enjoying the sessions – do they like the teaching style? Some children need energy and enthusiasm, whilst others prefer quiet and patience. I’ve always had great results with boys who are struggling with Maths and Science at GCSE level – perhaps because deep down I am still a teenage boy myself! Do not worry about offending a tutor if you feel the match is not quite right, this is part of the job and they will understand.
3. Preparation. Whilst a first lesson may be more exploratory in nature, in subsequent lessons a good tutor will find out in advance what area a student needs help with or wants to work on. Does the tutor check with you and your son/daughter what you want to cover in advance of the lesson? Have they planned the lesson and outlined what they hope the student will get out of it? Did they come prepared with the necessary teaching materials?
4. Progress. A good tutor will always be happy to discuss progress with you, such as what they feel the student is improving on and where they still need the most help. The student should also have a good idea of what they are trying to achieve from their tutoring sessions. If a tutor has to rush off to another job straight after your lesson, ask when they are free to give some feedback over the phone or via email.

Written by: Marcus White