Is Private Tutoring Worth It? Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Tutor for Your Child

Private tuition is beneficial for every learner at every skill level. Whether your child is making straight As or finds it hard to absorb new concepts, everyone has much to gain from working with a private tutor.

You should consider private tutoring for your child if you notice the following:

1. Your child has excellent grades in a subject area, but you want to take their subject knowledge to the next level.
2. Your kid tends to procrastinate or avoid doing their homework.
3. Your child’s quiz scores don’t reflect an understanding of their lessons.
4. You find that your kid needs more motivation to study or complete assignments for their classes.
5. Homework and quizzes have a lot of things that could be improved.
6. You want your child to score high on standardised tests like the SAT, O-Levels, A-Levels, or IB exams.
7. Your child needs help understanding the concepts that are covered in class.

Is private tutoring worth it? Although many people don’t believe in the benefits of tutoring, it is, in fact, advantageous for every person, even if they need help with a subject.

Home tutors will know your child’s strengths and weaknesses to develop strategies tailored to the child’s specific needs. Whether you think your kid needs an extra hand or will benefit from a challenge, private tutoring will help you meet your goals.

Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Qualified Tutor for Your Child

The demand for private tutoring is growing, with individuals spending significant money onsolutions. Nevertheless, it’s essential to consider whether it’s genuinely worth the expense. With numerous readily available options, selecting the best home tuition can be daunting.

With considerable experience in the industry, Tuition Centre SG can provide the following recommendations:

1. Identify Your Goal

Are you trying to get your child to pass a test or a class? Or do you want your child to learn something?

If all you want to do is for your child to pass a test or a class (basically get short-term results and be done with it), that’s a performance goal. However, if you want your child to understand a concept and be able to apply it to different situations, that’s called a learning goal.

Most parents have both performance and learning goals for their children. In general, learning should be placed above performance. However, while learning will lead to better performance, you may only be able to see results after a period of time.

Consider the drawbacks if you decide to use private tuition to achieve a performance goal. If a student needs intensive test prep to pass a class or get into a program, the student may not be set up to succeed in whatever comes next.

2. Observe the Tutor’s Actions

Effective tutoring goes beyond the tutor simply imparting knowledge to the student. For tutoring to yield positive results, students must actively engage in the learning process rather than sitting passively and listening while the tutor speaks.

Key Elements to Observe During Tutor-Student Procedure

• If the pupil does something right, does the tutor constantly say “Great!” and proceed? Or does the tutor ask follow-up questions to see into their reasoning? Follow-up questions are crucial since sometimes students draw conclusions that help correct answers on one type of problem but cause mistakes on the next steps.
• If the pupil makes mistakes, does the potential tutor say, “No, do it this way”? Or does the tutor claim, “Tell me why you chose that answer”? Getting the student to discuss their choice allows the tutor to gain more insight into how the pupil deals with fixing problems and to capture any errors in the student’s reasoning.
• Does the tutor help the student discover how to handle confusion and errors? Students get the most out of learning when they recognise when they make a mistake. A good tutor does not interfere to prevent errors but instead allows them to happen and helps the pupil identify and fix them. With this approach, the student gains skills they can use even when the tutor is no longer there to give guidance.
• A tutor who offers explicit directions right away offers options might hinder a pupil’s long-term understanding. Instead, the tutor must encourage the student to independently read the question and devise a master plan before providing any response or support. This approach fosters critical reasoning and enables the student to create problem-solving abilities.

3. Do Things on Your Own at Home

If, for example, your child struggles with reading, foster a home that makes reading a regular activity at your home. Make time to read to your child, with your child and in front of them. This applies whether you have young children or older children. Let them see you reading so you cultivate a love of reading in them.

If your kid has a problem with English or writing, you can use a wide array of words when you speak to them, including words they still need to learn. For parents not fluent in English, you can still teach your kids to speak, read, and write in your native language. Students can translate these abilities into English with the help of their educators. Research tells us that children benefit significantly from first learning to read and write in the language in which they think.

If your child has a problem with maths, try ways to engage in math activities with them that are enjoyable, such as using games or applications. Remarkably, it is more beneficial for your child’s understanding if you feel nervous about math yourself. If you need help comprehending their homework, ask them to process the concept with you or themselves. Children acquire understanding if asked to reflect on their work. Urge your child until they have fully justified their work in their mind.

4. Let TCS Handle the Nitty Gritty For You

While there’s no guarantee that tutoring will lead to success, having a qualified tutor with experience can significantly increase your child’s chances. A skilled and supportive tutor can make a positive impact, providing personalised guidance and raising the likelihood of your child’s academic success.

At TuitionCentre SG, we take the extra step to pre-qualify our tutors, ensuring your child receives the highest quality home tuition. Our experienced tutors are dedicated to providing personalised guidance and creating a conducive learning environment. While success is never guaranteed, choosing the right tutor can make all the difference. Invest in your child’s future with us and give them the support they need to thrive academically. Request a tutor today, and let us help your child achieve a brighter tomorrow!