Tuition is a way to enhance learning among pupils.
Many pupils opt for tuition to improve their scores in exams or to improve their knowledge in some subjects which they feel are tough.
So we see many students coming for tuition, specifically for science and mathematics subjects. Also, for getting ready for competitive exams by getting command over subjects which they consider tough to tackle.
So a tutor has a good responsibility to deliver his service in the right way.
How to be a good tutor
Any person with sound knowledge and a good level of education can take up tuition as a career.
1. Opt only for those subjects you love and are interested in
If you decide to be a tutor, select to assist in only those subjects you love and are also very interested.
Some of us could be interested and well versed in science but not in mathematics. You may find mathematics to be too difficult for you since childhood.
In such a case, it is better to opt to teach only biology subjects. This is because if, by chance, a pupil asks you to solve a physics or chemistry subject problem. Then you may find it difficult and get embraced if you cannot answer it.
2. Understand the student
When a student comes for tuition, he has some expectations in his mind regarding the tuition.
The expectation can be that he is unable to comprehend mathematics or science derivations etc., and hence wants help with them.
So if a tutor understands these issues of the student, then he can help him overcome those problems.
If a tutor fails, it means he cannot satisfy his students, and one of the reasons for this is he cannot understand their needs.
3. Be well prepared for tuition beforehand
A tutor should be well prepared before he goes for tuition.
If he is not prepared for some subject he is going to discuss, he will lose the confidence of his students.
The students may be tempted to look for other tutors.
So the tutor should be prepared about the subjects he wishes to take up and also any new developments.
So be ready with books you wish to refer to during tuition.
If the books concerned are not available at the moment, it will be an embarrassment to the tutor.
Also, practice any diagrams in case you are not good at drawing on boards.
4. Give time to all
If you are tutoring a small group of students, then you need to give enough time to each and every student.
In general, those students who are less active or lagging behind in studies expect more time for you. If you do not give them time, they may dislike the tuition.
On the other hand, if you spend more time with those who are lagging, then you must make others understand that particular students need more time for you.
For this, you can first give time to active students and once you leave them for self-study, you can focus on back-lagging students.
5. Focus on subjects equally
When there is more than one subject to teach during tuition. Give time for each subject.
Focusing on one more than others may weaken students in that neglected subject.
But also consider the student’s opinion in this time allotment for subjects because some subjects are easy for all students while some are tough for all.
So giving more time to tough subjects is a valid idea, but it should be the same issue for all students.
6. Cover only those topics covered at school
Tuition is meant to help students in subjects already covered at school. So it is better to restrict teaching to topics already covered at school.
This will provide ample time for tuition for intended topics.
Also, advanced coverage of topics before being taught in school will let students compare your teaching with that of their teacher.
This may induce unwanted comparisons in teaching abilities.