Students welcome the summer break that, along with relaxation, brings unique opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. This year, more than ever, it’s crucial to keep up a certain amount of learning over the course of the summer. Many students have fallen behind during online courses because they’re lecture-heavy, repetitive, and devoid of conversation. A growing number of universities are carrying on with a combination of online and in-person teaching. Instead of coming to campus, some students prefer private tutoring, which is considered a superior alternative. But is it the best way to use the system? Maybe, maybe not.
Needless to say, there’s been a surge in demand for online tuition to help catch up with lost learning since the coronavirus pandemic hit. Such support isn’t costly, but the supply of tutors is limited. Tutoring, either individually or in small groups, is very effective, meaning that it has considerable benefits for learning outcomes. A good tutor makes all the difference, possibly impacting a student’s future. The question now is: How can you find the right GCSE english tutor? If you want to improve your academic performance, follow the tips below.
Decide Whether to Hire a Professional Teacher or An Informal Tutor
In the UK, there are no standard qualifications to be a tutor. Recent university students and graduates have started tutoring, more often than not, on a voluntary basis. The supply of tutors might expand if the UK enters into recession due to higher energy prices, the war in Ukraine, and the inflation shock. If unemployment were to rise, people would look for alternative sources of income. Private tuition is booming, but the sector remains unregulated, which is why it’s essential to check for qualifications.
To find a good tutor, you can resort to professional resources from Maths and Physics tutors and The Tutor’s Association, which requires members to have a DBS Check and adhere to the code of practice. Offshore online tutoring can allow for much wider access to quality and high-impact tutoring. Online tutors use platforms such as Zoom and Skype to reach students far and wide. Not only are the lessons engaging, but they’re also fit for students of all ages. Initially providing tutoring in the fields of maths and science, Internet tutors have expanded to teach history, geography, business studies, and so on.
Look At Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Prior to start searching for a tutor, take the time to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Get a good understanding of what you need to improve on and what methods of learning you’re more comfortable with. The aim is to become a well-rounded professional who is confident in their abilities. If you’re a more visual learner, then you better retain information when it’s presented in a graphic depiction, like a chart, diagram, symbol, etc. The undivided attention that a tutor provides allows them to better meet your specific needs.
If you want to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, spend about half an hour making two lists. The first one will be centred around your strengths, and the second list will require you to be honest about yourself and admit your shortcomings. Depending on your personality, you’ll find these lists more or less easy to complete. Know where you come strong and where you need assistance. It’s something you’ll have to figure out mostly on your own. Of course, you can ask friends and family what your strengths and weaknesses are. They might be of help.
Every Tutor Should Be Put Through a Detailed Screening Process
So, you’ve figured out what you need and where you can look. All that’s left to do is to hire a tutor. Assess their expertise, teaching skills, and previous experience. Someone with a PhD doesn’t necessarily have what it takes to teach students. What you want is a tutor with an excellent track record and a couple of years of experience. In this respect, it’s helpful to check online reviews. Previous students will have given the tutor a rating and some sort of appraisal. You should still ask for a list of references even if the tutor has positive reviews.
The recent activity of the tutor will let you know if they take their job seriously. Send the tutor a message and see how fast they respond. Quickly responding to your inquiry means that they spend a lot of time interacting with students. For any message sent after 10 p.m., don’t expect an answer until the next day. It’s not a good idea to bother the tutor after normal business hours. Just so you know, finding a tutor is a process of trial and error. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time with your tutor over the next weeks, find someone who makes you feel comfortable.
Define Your Budget and Consider the Availability of the Tutor
Private tutoring is widespread, and on the rise, so costs are coming down. Set a budget. Teachers with more experience or a degree will charge more. Maybe so, but they put a great deal of effort into their lessons, meaning that it’s money well-spent. Take a close look at your income and expenses and determine how much money you can put aside for tutoring services. You might have to eliminate some extras. For instance, you can give up on eating out every evening. With a little bit of effort, you’re sure to find an option that fits your budget.
Last but certainly not least, determine the availability of the tutor. They may not be able to give lessons when you need them. In other words, there might be a conflict between your schedules. The number of sessions you’ll need per week matters when it comes to finding a tutor. In rare cases, a teacher won’t attend the lesson without giving notice due to a personal emergency or technical issues. You shouldn’t take it personally. But how will you know if the tutor is helping? Well, look beyond your grades. It’s more important to build confidence and become engaged in the process of learning.
OTS News on Social Media