Did you know Singaporeans spend twice as much as the global average on education? It’s true! The tuition industry in Singapore is worth over $1 billion. It’s estimated that 95% of Singaporean students have had a tutor. This high demand makes being a full-time tutor in Singapore a profitable career. If you’re considering becoming a tutor in the education industry in Singapore, there are a few important things you should know.
You Don’t Need a License or Certification
Private tutoring differs from teaching in a classroom. As a tutor, one should possess soft skills, be familiar with the current curriculum, plan lessons tailored to different learners’ diverse needs, and have all the qualities of an exemplary teacher. Being friendly, well-organised, and professional are the most desirable traits of a tutor. Tutoring is all about building a relationship with the student, understanding their weak areas, and helping them improve their academic performance. With the proper knowledge and skills, qualified tutors help students comprehend concepts that are hard to understand and improve their school work.
Education and Qualification
Many JC and Polytechnic students offer private home tuition during their free time. However, having at least a JC or Polytechnic qualification is essential to become a full-time tutor. These qualifications are vital for parents and often become the deciding factor in choosing a tutor.
Furthermore, higher educational qualifications are always better, especially if your major is related to your teaching subjects. Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree or pursuing higher education will set you apart from other aspiring tutors in parents’ eyes and give you the necessary expertise to teach your chosen subjects well.
What Subject and Level to Teach
You should teach subjects that you enjoy and excel at. Being enthusiastic is essential to get students interested in learning.
Prioritise practicality. Subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and English are in greater demand and should be prioritised over subjects like History and Geography, which may have less demand.
When deciding which subjects to teach, consider how many you want to cover. While focusing on a single topic can help you become an expert faster, different age groups of students may have varying demands. For example, younger students, like those in primary school, may benefit from having a tutor who can teach multiple subjects. Parents prefer having one private tutor across subjects rather than hiring multiple tutors.
Remember that Tuition is a Service
Tuition is a service that requires more than just being good at a particular subject or level. It is essential to make your tutees feel comfortable and establish trust so they can follow your guidance effectively. Since every student is unique, it is necessary to understand their individual needs and adapt your teaching approach accordingly. This will help the student to become more comfortable around you and improve their learning experience.
Preparing for Lessons
Prepare for tutoring lessons in advance, especially if you’re new to tutoring. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Research the latest syllabus as it undergoes constant changes, which may differ from when you were a student.
- Conduct research and gather reliable materials. You can selectively choose assessment books that align with the latest syllabus and past year papers to compile practice questions for your students.
- Prepare extra materials for when you finish the planned lesson earlier than expected.
Getting your First Students
As a private tutor, your responsibilities go beyond just being able to teach well. You also need to be able to find students for yourself. However, finding your first students may be a challenging task. Here are some ideas to gain experience:
a. Give free trial lessons to potential students
Parents often feel hesitant when hiring a tutor who needs more experience. Allowing them to observe your tutoring skills and how you engage with the students can help boost their confidence in hiring you to tutor their children.
b. Offer a lower rate than the prevailing market one
Consider starting with a lower rate for your tuition service and gradually increasing it as you gain experience and build your reputation.
c. Register with home tuition agencies
In Singapore, there are numerous private tuition agencies that you can register with. These agencies typically charge 50% of the first month’s tuition fee for each student referred to a tutor. Once an agency has referred a student to a tutor, the tutor is usually expected to receive payment for the first two weeks of lessons directly from the agency and, after that, directly from the student or parent. To increase the chances of receiving referrals, complete a comprehensive profile so the tuition coordinator can match you well to potential students.
If you want to become a tutor, register with TuitionCentre SG – the leading tuition agency.
d. Use social media to market yourself
Create an Instagram or Facebook page to market yourself as a tutor. You can start by sharing tips and resources online for students who need them. As your following grows, you may attract students who need a tutor, and they may approach you for your services. You can also share testimonials from your existing students to convince potential students and parents to engage with you.
Be Prepared for Examination Periods
As the school year comes to a close, help your students stay focused on their studies, particularly in the areas of the syllabus that are most essential. To have more edge, teach your students exam techniques to increase their chances of success. One helpful strategy is to have students practice with mock questions and past papers to prepare them for the real thing. As the school year ends, your students will focus more on reading and passing exams.
You should also focus on the critical areas of the syllabus with your students. Additionally, it would be best to improvise exam techniques to help students carry the day. Revising mock questions and past papers
As the examination period approaches, be extra diligent in your preparation. Students may ask you for help obtaining mock exam papers or past-year papers. It is also crucial to stay up-to-date with any changes to the exam format for that year if there are any.
Enjoy Tutoring
Building a solid relationship with your students, regardless of age or level, is essential to becoming a successful tutor in Singapore. While it is necessary to be organised and prepared for your tutoring sessions, it is equally important to enjoy the process. Always greet your students with a friendly smile and speak kindly to them. Doing this will make your students feel comfortable and more receptive to your tutoring. Remember to keep things interesting and enjoyable; this will help keep their enthusiasm and motivation high, leading to better results in all areas.
Tutors should possess subject knowledge, a friendly demeanour, and a passion for teaching.
Get to Know Your Students Individually
Understand that your students should excel in tutoring in your profession. Unlike teaching in a classroom, tutoring requires a deep understanding of each learner’s needs. This includes their weaknesses, strengths, likes, and dislikes and the most effective approach to helping them understand complex concepts. When you grasp these aspects well, planning sessions tailored to each student’s needs becomes more manageable.
Decide on Your Teaching Style
Being patient while doing homework with your students is necessary to become a primary school teacher. Some students may find it challenging to comprehend Math concepts, but it is necessary not to give them the answers directly. While they may excel in their assignments, they may perform poorly in their exams, and their grades may not improve. This lack of fundamental knowledge and ability to tackle questions independently may also make it difficult for students to understand any other concepts in the future.
As an expert tutor, you can progress from merely answering immediate questions to helping your students better understand their subjects. This approach will help your students improve their performance in school work, exams, and grades.
Honing Your Craft
If you are a tutor, experienced or a beginner, there are several ways to enhance your tutoring skills:
- Getting to know your students’ hobbies and interests is a good idea. This will help you personalise lessons, gain parents’ trust, and improve their children’s performance.
- Embracing new technologies is beneficial for both you and your students.
- A student-centred approach can make the learning experience more engaging and effective.
- Adapting to your student’s learning style is essential, as everyone learns differently.
Online Lessons
In light of the world’s shift towards a digital landscape and the world after COVID-19, more parents and older students are opting for online learning. Even after the end of the pandemic period, being flexible and willing to conduct online tuition could prove advantageous. Online tuition allows you to reach out to students who live further away, and some students may also find online tuition more effective in their learning.
Being a tutor in Singapore is challenging. The industry is highly competitive, but if you are willing to invest your time and effort into helping your students improve and succeed, you can become a successful tutor. Witnessing your students thrive and grow after months of hard work is incredibly satisfying!
Were you considering becoming a tutor? Register now!
Advertise to Get Students
Once you’re confident in your skills, you can start advertising to find private students. If you want to target a specific area, like your neighbourhood, you can create a flyer with your contact details and the subjects you can teach. Another option is to make business cards with your contact information and the subjects you teach to advertise in private schools. Additionally, you can work with a home tuition agency in Singapore, as they have openings for both part-time and full-time tutors.
Working with a tuition agency like TuitionCentre SG is easy because we will match you with the right students, pay you well depending on your experience and qualifications, and provide enough assignments via SMS or email.
Other Considerations
It’s important to understand that as a full-time tutor, you may have to adjust your schedule to accommodate your students’ co-curricular activities, school hours, and other commitments. You may not be your boss, and your student’s needs will dictate your schedule.
It’s also important to note that being a full-time tutor may limit your social life throughout the year. You’ll likely work during the evening, late afternoon, and weekends, and your demand for tuition services may vary depending on the season.
You Don’t Have to be Perfect
Becoming a tutor comes with a certain level of responsibility, but you need not be flawless. Your passion for sharing your knowledge with your students is more critical. Therefore, don’t panic if you make a mistake. With time and experience, you can refine your approach and improve your methodology.
Conclusion
Are you currently in search of a job that offers a challenge? You may be taking a hiatus from your mundane 9-5 job and are looking to earn some extra income. Alternatively, you’re a recent graduate tired of working unfulfilling employment and eager to engage in something more meaningful. If you can relate to any of these scenarios, entering the field of private tutoring in Singapore may be a practical option for you. You don’t need specific experience, a particular course, or teaching qualifications to become a private tutor.
Tutoring can be a fulfilling experience, especially when you can help students achieve better grades. In Singapore, you do not necessarily need teaching experience or a license to work as a tutor, but you should be knowledgeable, motivated and disciplined in your subject areas. Becoming a tutor in Singapore is difficult, but seeing your students succeed after months of hard work can be fulfilling. If you enjoy helping the next generation achieve their goals, tutoring may be your perfect career. Begin your tutoring journey today by registering with us for free.
