A Straits Times survey revealed that Singapore parents are spending 10 to 15 times on private tuition more than the amount they are paying for school fees. Parents feel the responsibility to provide the best education possible for their children. After all, we do not have much choice to choose a school teacher. Yet, we may be able to find the best private tutor. Mediocrity is definitely not something to expect.
Now, how do we really know if a tutor is qualified enough to teach? Some parents may suggest a teacher who has many years of teaching experience, someone who has a university degree or recommendations by some tuition agencies. True enough, these are some of the useful ways to find good tutors.
Yet, we may want to examine some fundamental qualities of a good tutor, which I have listed a few here:
In depth knowledge and understanding of a subject
A tutor should be tutored by someone if he/she is not competent in the subjects that he intends to teach. It makes perfect sense that we have to be good enough to impart our knowledge to others. School examination results and certificates may help us qualify a tutor. This is a very basic quality that we should not overlook.
Tutoring experience
Practice makes perfect and there is certainly truth in this statement. Someone who has taught a subject for some time will most likely teach better.
Teaching techniques and clarity
Often, we come across a mathematics problem whereby there is nothing more useful than a diagram well drawn and explained. Not presenting steps and solutions in a clear, concise manner only leads to more confusion. A tutor may know how to solve the problem. Yet to effectively present a solution that is easy to grasp and understand requires more. Sometimes, a tutor who is not very sure about the solution and may have to “smoke” a way through, drawing more diagrams and arrows to make the question more complex. We are paying for quality service, not someone who beats around the bush and arrives at the conclusion that the child is not smart enough. A qualified tutor should good teaching techniques.
Education background
Tutors who have gone through similar examinations and familiar with the education system probably have more to share. If he/she had excelled in similar examinations that your child is going to sit, probably your child can do well too. Success breeds success and there are certainly tonnes of examination tips and techniques the tutor is going to share.
Ability to motivate and generate interest
We will not be impressed if a child improves his mathematics grade from C to A in 3 months. Given the correct guidance and motivation, some students may feel so interested about his academic pursuit that miracles happen in months. One of the most important roles of a private tutor is to stimulate the student’s interest and creativity in his studies. Tutors can only create miracles if a student himself feels strongly motivated to excel. Often, a tutor is a role model and highly respected. Students want to excel and be successful so that he/she can be like the tutor.
Commitment to teach
Commitment is everything, when everybody is so busy nowadays. There should be commitments towards the student’s academic progress in school as well as overall well being. This is especially true during the examination period, whereby students are stressful and need a lot of guidance and moral support.
Here are only some of the guidelines which may be useful to you. Finding a good tutor need not be a headache. You may shortlist a few tutors. Alternatively, we may assist you to find a tutor directly.
