How To Be Successful With Home Tuition
If a person is struggling academically, it can impact their confidence and self-esteem. Sometimes, the traditional classroom experience doesn’t provide students with the dedicated support they need, so parents and teachers look at private tutoring as an option.
There are many benefits of home tutoring, including:
- It’s a bespoke solution for students that have a unique learning style.
- Tutors can give a learner more attention.
- Students gain confidence, and parents who choose to homeschool might need a tutor to educate their children on complex subjects.
Successful home tutoring is a difficult task. It requires a lot of patience, dedication and understanding. For parents, it can be hard to support their child, but this post will help both tutors and parents provide a better experience for learners.
Here’s how to be successful with home tuition.
The Learning Experience
If someone doesn’t have a good learning experience, they might shy away from further education. This can be due to a lack of confidence or motivation.
A study by the YMCA highlights the lifelong effects of inadequate education. Luckily, there are ways parents and tutors can work together to enhance the tutoring experience and make sure it’s productive.
Create a Quiet Learning Space
Creating a dedicated learning space such as a desk in their bedroom or another designated area is essential when students learn in their homes. The key is to make sure the environment is quiet and free from distractions so the learner can focus on their work.
It’s best not to use the living room as a learning space because people associate it with relaxation, watching TV and socialising. By finding a quiet place, you can recreate the classroom experience and make sure a learner can focus more.
Define Clear Expectations and Goals
Both parents and tutors should be clear about their expectations and goals – but it’s also essential to include the learner in defining what they’d like to achieve from home tutoring.
Tutors should ask the following questions to both students and parents:
- How can I help you reach your goals?
- What would you like to get out of this experience?
- Is there anything you’d particularly like to learn?
- How does your child handle the classroom environment?
Doing this ensures set expectations are in place, and all parties know the learning objectives.
Build Trust
Trust is the foundation of every relationship. When learners feel comfortable around their tutor, they’ll be more engaged in learning.
Tutors should create an environment where learners can open up about what’s going on at school – this could involve speaking with parents or getting in touch with the student’s regular teacher.
It’s also essential to build trust with the student and protect their privacy. For tutoring to succeed, the student needs to feel they can confide in their tutor, so it can sometimes be a balancing act.
Encourage Learner Growth
A student’s confidence should grow as they make progress. Tutors should encourage and regularly praise their students for any achievements, no matter how small.
It’s important to set achievable goals so that learners feel a sense of accomplishment after completing them. This will help boost their confidence and motivate them to continue working hard.
Be Flexible
Tutors should be flexible and adapt their teaching methods to suit the student. Every learner is different, so tutors need to find a way that works best for them.
Some students might prefer working with flashcards or completing practice exercises, while others might enjoy discussing topics in more depth. It’s important to be creative and find different ways of teaching that will keep the student’s attention.
Finding the Right Home Tutor
Finding a tutor can be a challenging process, especially when the internet is full of companies that promise they’re professional. We’ve put together this checklist to make it easier for you to get proper support.
Enhanced DBS Check
Enhanced DBS checks are a legal requirement for all home tutoring companies and should be an essential part of the hiring process. The check ensures that a tutor isn’t working with children illegally or unethically, so this is one way to protect your child’s interests.
Experience That Matches Your Needs
There are many different factors to consider when finding a tutor, such as the subject they specialise in and their experience. It’s essential to find someone who matches your needs to be confident the tuition will provide the desired results.
Where possible, you should find a tutor with a qualification in their chosen subject. Reputable companies usually have strict restrictions to ensure their tutors can provide the proper support a learner needs.
References From Previous Students and Parents
When looking for a home tutor, it’s always helpful to look at reviews and testimonials. This way, you can find out more about how previous students viewed the experience and get a feel for the quality of tutoring on offer.
It’s also a good idea to check out Google My Business and Trust Pilot for genuine reviews.
Hire From a Reputable Tutoring Company
When hiring a home tutor, working with an established tutoring company is essential. This ensures clear expectations are in place and you know who the tutor is working for.
All reputable home tuition companies should have strict guidelines about hiring their tutors so that only suitable candidates can join. For example, at Fleet Tutors, we have a rigorous recruitment process that specifies applicants must have at least a degree in their subject area.
How Can Parents Help?
Parents can support their children in several ways, including:
- Monitoring homework progress
- Attending meetings with tutors
- Supporting their learning at home
- Encouraging good study habits
Most importantly, they can encourage a child to develop academically and personally. Tutors and parents that work together in the homeschooling environment will always see the best results.
Hopefully, this post gives you a clear idea of how to succeed with home tuition. If you’d like to access further resources about learning, tutoring and supporting young learners to meet their goals, please don’t hesitate to follow our blog.