If you know the assignment ahead of time, you can start helping the tutee right away during the session.
Arriving late to a session tells the student that their time isn’t as important as yours.
Some students might have a worksheet instead of an official assignment. It’ll likely depend on the specific subject that you’re tutoring.
For example, if a student is struggling with an essay, focus on the introductory paragraph instead of the entire paper. If a student is really struggling with algebra, you can walk them through specific skills instead of focusing on a homework assignment.
Eye contact is a great way to show that you’re listening to a student.
Instead of saying “Do you understand this topic?” you can ask something like, “Can you explain how you solve this problem?”
Get in the habit of checking in with your student every few minutes in the session. You can say something encouraging, like: “Is everything making sense so far? It’s totally okay if you want to go over some of these topics again. This subject can be really confusing!”
For instance, some students may learn better with a Venn Diagram while others may prefer a bulleted, written list. An auditory learner may benefit from a question and answer session, while a visual learner may prefer you to write or draw out different examples. [8] X Research source A kinesthetic, or hands-on learner, may learn better if you let them pace or walk around throughout the session.
For instance, you can say something like: “Hi, I’m Jane, and I’ll be your chemistry tutor! What’s your name?” or “Thanks so much for stopping by! How’s your day going?”
For instance, if your tutee solves a single math problem correctly, tell them that they did a good job. Consistent praise helps tutees become more confident in their abilities.
It’s perfectly normal and okay to not have the answers to everything! For example, you can say something like: “I don’t know the answer to that off the top of my head, but I can look it up really quickly!”
For instance, you can say something like: “I completely understand where you’re coming from here. I took a class where I was really confused, and I had to meet with a tutor for extra help. ”
If you get frustrated, the student may get discouraged. Remember that tutoring is for the student’s gain, and not for your own.
Instead of listing your own hours, ask the student what time slots work well for them. Try to work your tutoring schedule around the student.
For instance, you can say something like: “I’ll give you a couple minutes to finish up this problem. Let me know if you need any help!”
Some students may expect you to solve a problem for them. In this case, say something like: “Let’s go through an example together so you can solve this problem on your own. ”
Students may be more engaged in a session if you use references that they can understand. For instance, you can say something like: “The opening sentence of your essay is like the first play in a game of golf. Your sentence kicks off the reader and gets them engaged, while the first play gets viewers invested in the game. ”
Working a tutoring center can be a great job, though you don’t get to choose your own rates.
Look at what other tutors are charging and try to match those rates.
You can also make your own website to advertise yourself as a tutor. Some great sites to use are Wyzant, Preply, and Classgap. Some universities also let student tutors upload profiles online.
For instance, if a student is struggling with subject/verb agreement, you can center your next tutoring session around that.
Some organizations require you to submit a professional recommendation before becoming certified. These certifications help potential clients know that you’re qualified for the job.
