5 Questions To Ask When Choosing A Tutor For Your Child

For the last year and a half, schooling has been a mix of at home and in-classroom learning. Some parents may be worried about the impact that this has had on their child’s education, and may be looking to the summer break as a time to help them reconnect with their studies, or catch up in the areas where they might have had less focus. A great way to do this is with the help of a private tutor. With this in mind, we spoke to the in-house tutor team at the 1:1 online teaching platform, GoStudent, who shared the key questions that every parent should ask themselves when considering private tuition for their child.

• How does my child like to learn? – Are they a visual learner? Do they learn best through play? Do they struggle with their attention span? Do other children distract or motivate them? Which teachers do they like best at school and why? By building a learning profile for your child, you can work out if they would be best-suited to 1:1 or group tuition, and if online or in-person tuition would be a better fit. Once you have your profile, don’t be afraid to contact a number of tutoring services to talk them through what you are looking for and, if they cannot offer the exact type of tutoring that you are looking for, keep looking. Understanding each child’s learning style is key to ensuring that their potential is fully unlocked by the educator that you choose.
  
  
• What results do I want to see? – When setting up tuition for your child, you should think about the results that you are hoping to see. If you are aiming for sizable academic change, then it could be wise to opt for 3-4 tutoring sessions a week; however, if you are looking for a little extra support, perhaps 1-2 hours a week will suffice. It is also key to keep in mind that when it comes to learning, there is no ‘quick fix’. If you are looking to ensure long-lasting academic success, then plan to work with your chosen tutor for at least six months, so that you can track progress and see real results.
  
  
• How many subjects should I invest in? – We are often asked if there is a limit on how many subjects a child should be studying outside of school hours. There is no one rule: so long as the child is engaged with, enjoying, and taking in the lessons, then there is no reason to set limitations. That said, we do recommend starting small, and to see results in one area first. This will boost the child’s confidence and, in turn, enthusiasm and excitement. Once a learning routine has been established, then new subjects can be introduced to the weekly schedule
  
  
• Am I looking for online or offline tuition?  Historically, the tutoring services that are available to a person have been limited by location and the distance that a parent is willing to travel. This is no longer the case and, if you are not tied to seeking out face to face tuition for your child, then online learning is a fantastic option. Because the tutor can join the lesson from anywhere in the world, the very best match for your child can be found – regardless of where you, or they, are based. Similarly, online learning is a great way to maximise the time that you have available to dedicate to extra tuition, because no travel to or from the session is required, and the lesson can take place from any location.
  
  
• What checks should I carry out? – In the UK, The Tutors’ Association is the only professional membership body for tutoring and the wider supplementary education sector in the UK. If a tutoring company is Tutors’ Association approved, then you have assurance that the company follows a strict code of conduct. You can learn more here: https://thetutorsassociation.org.uk/about