With the choices among tutors seemingly endless, the task of choosing the right one may seem overwhelming. However, there are several things you can do to help make your decision a little easier and help you choose the RIGHT tutor for you.
One of the most important parts of the tutor search is done before you even start looking. Before you begin looking for tutors, you need to spend time considering exactly what you want. Determine your goals. Specifically, what do you want the tutor to accomplish? Common goals include homework completion, raise grades at school, shorten the homework time, and teach a skill. Of course there are many other possibilities. If you have multiple goals, be sure to identify them. The answer to this question will help determine the answer to the other questions you need to ask. Other questions to ask yourself: Will you provide the material or do you want the tutor to provide the material? Do you want private lessons or group lessons? In-person or online? Will you go to the tutor or do you want the tutor to come to you? Do you want a tutor that is just available when scheduled, or will you want additional access? If the tutor comes to you, where do you want to meet? Do you want a private tutor or a chain?
You may be thinking all this is unnecessary. All you want is some help. Consider the employer who needs some help at the office. Would they send out a general request for help, or would they write a complete job description? You are the employer. You need to know exactly what you want. Any warm body shouldn't be good enough to provide your (or your child's) supplemental education.
That's a lot to think about! But, once you have definite answer to these questions, you're still not quite ready to look for your tutor. Now that you have this information, it's time to start your research. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at some of the research you should do to prepare yourself to talk with tutors.
One of the most important parts of the tutor search is done before you even start looking. Before you begin looking for tutors, you need to spend time considering exactly what you want. Determine your goals. Specifically, what do you want the tutor to accomplish? Common goals include homework completion, raise grades at school, shorten the homework time, and teach a skill. Of course there are many other possibilities. If you have multiple goals, be sure to identify them. The answer to this question will help determine the answer to the other questions you need to ask. Other questions to ask yourself: Will you provide the material or do you want the tutor to provide the material? Do you want private lessons or group lessons? In-person or online? Will you go to the tutor or do you want the tutor to come to you? Do you want a tutor that is just available when scheduled, or will you want additional access? If the tutor comes to you, where do you want to meet? Do you want a private tutor or a chain?
You may be thinking all this is unnecessary. All you want is some help. Consider the employer who needs some help at the office. Would they send out a general request for help, or would they write a complete job description? You are the employer. You need to know exactly what you want. Any warm body shouldn't be good enough to provide your (or your child's) supplemental education.
That's a lot to think about! But, once you have definite answer to these questions, you're still not quite ready to look for your tutor. Now that you have this information, it's time to start your research. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at some of the research you should do to prepare yourself to talk with tutors.