What Makes a Good Tutor

What makes a good instructor or mentor? The following are some of the most important qualities of a good tutor. First and foremost, a good tutor needs excellent communication skills so they can help their students learn and grow.

They need to be invested in their work and available during tutoring sessions, so it’s best to hire them on a part-time basis at the very least.

Finally, the potential tutor you hire should be knowledgeable about the subject you’re working on, so they can answer any questions you have.

There is a wide variety of tutors to choose from, just as there are a wide variety of reasons why a person might want or need their help. Some students may need more time to complete their assignments, while others may have experienced trauma that makes it difficult or emotionally taxing to learn.

Everyone should have access to a patient, supportive tutor who is as invested in their success as they are, regardless of their motivation for seeking out such help.

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the best method of instruction for a particular learner.

Some people, for instance, benefit more from learning through audiobooks, while others do better with hands-on activities.

Finding out what kind of learner you are and what methods work best for you can be accomplished by doing research on a topic that interests you. After doing your homework, you should begin searching for a tutor who meets your needs and is comfortable working with you in your preferred learning style.

You want the best for your children and that includes giving them a strong foundation in early childhood learning.

With Dr Study, you can be sure that your child is getting the best possible early childhood education that is tailored to each of their needs.

What Qualities Should a Tutor Possess?

Many parents compare the process of choosing the right tutor for their kids to that of buying their first car.

You know you want a “good” one, but it’s not always clear how to tell if one actually is.

First-time car buyers have access to a wealth of ‘user-friendly’ online advice resources, but it is much more challenging to find guidance on selecting the most suitable tutor.

This is true despite the fact that selecting a suitable tutor for your child may prove to be more consequential to his or her long-term success than the vast majority of other choices you will be called upon to make.

Remember that your child’s tutor is more than just another teacher; he or she will also serve as a role model.

Therefore, it is crucial to have a thorough comprehension of the characteristics associated with efficient tutoring.

The Golden Rules of Tutoring

• Honesty – Trust and rapport are two things that are the most important in a tutoring relationship, and this helps build them.
• Flexibility – This involves a readiness to modify methods and strategies in order to accommodate individual differences in student learning styles.
• Patience – There’s a chance that your student won’t find something that seems simple or obvious to you to be so for them. Keep your voice and body language calm and collected instead of showing irritation.
• Good Listener – Listen carefully to your student’s words for clues about his inner state of mind. In other words, a good listener doesn’t talk nonstop.
• Professionalism – Confidential information about your student should not be shared with anyone.
• Collaboration -The relationship between a tutor and student is best viewed as collaborative. The role of the teacher is not one that you can fill. Instead, make it clear that you’re willing to work with the student outside of class to enhance her academic experience.
• Confidence – You were picked because you have the right stuff to be an inspiring teacher and mentor. Confidence, however, also requires the honesty to admit when one is stumped. Give the student the straight story: you have some work to do. and proceed accordingly. It’s a great chance to model a growth mindset and teach her that it’s okay to make mistakes, and she might even feel better about herself.

Personality

One of the most important personal qualities of a good tutor is the ability to communicate in a way that makes the learner feel motivated, enthusiastic, confident, and capable of mastering and enjoying whatever challenges come along.

This skill is crucial for a successful tutor.

To put it another way, a capable tutor should have strong interpersonal skills, particularly when it comes to engaging and motivating young students. When teaching younger students, this is especially crucial.

They need the ability to motivate their students to actively participate in class and the skill to break down complex ideas in a way that “makes sense” to their learners.

If they are unable to do so, it will not matter how qualified, experienced, or authoritative the tutors are; your child will receive a failing grade from them.

While there was no statistically significant link between these traits and education level, many educators and other professionals excel at them.

However, we do find a strong correlation between these traits and certain characteristics of personality.

Therefore, a top-notch tutoring service will consider a candidate’s interpersonal skills and communication preferences in addition to academic credentials when making hiring decisions.

The Importance of Finding the Right Tutor

Whether our kids are struggling with low self-esteem or with everything else, as parents, we know that the biggest factor in how well they do in school is their attitude towards it.

This holds true regardless of the nature of the kids’ difficulties. Values are formed in large part by one’s upbringing. You do know that their academic performance in school is heavily influenced by the level of the class they are in, right?

Substituting a new teacher with a new group of classmates can be all it takes to make a dramatic leap forwards in learning.

However, in a one-on-one setting, the chasm between the two can widen even further.

Look for a teacher who doesn’t care how your kid learns best, who can’t keep things interesting for long, and who won’t tailor lessons to your kid’s interests. All aspects of the interaction will be negative.

If your child already has a support system in place, the last thing you want is for them to develop a pessimistic outlook on the areas of their life where they could benefit from more help.

Once you’ve located a tutor who can positively influence your child’s outlook on and approach to schoolwork, everything else will fall into place.

Find a good tutor who possesses this skill when you need one.

Many parents who are unsure of what to look for in a good tutor make the same common assumptions that a first-time car buyer might look for a car “that goes fast” or that is the right colour.

In the same way, a first-time car buyer might be looking for a car “that is the right colour.”

The most widespread belief holds that an actual classroom teacher is an ideal person to serve in this capacity.

However, despite the fact that a classroom teacher would almost certainly have the appropriate experiences and understandings regarding learning and classroom curriculum, not all school teachers would make good tutors, and not all great tutors are school teachers.

Moreover, not all great tutors are school teachers.

It’s kind of like how a confused car owner who’s looking for something safe might buy a four-wheel drive vehicle under the false impression that the fact that it’s a four-wheel drive automatically makes it safer.

It is possible, but not always the case. If you had a better idea of what kinds of personal qualities to look for, then you would be in a much better position to choose the option that is in your best interest.

Should I Hire a Private Tutor?

An individual “sole trader” tutor might be available in your area.

Comparable to the savings that can be had when purchasing a used car through a private party rather than a reputable dealer who can provide a warranty, hiring an independent contractor for jobs that are paid in cash may save money. But you can’t be as sure of the person’s dependability.

Even if you find someone this way, you should still verify that they fit the aforementioned criteria by asking them about the educational approach they take with their students.

Verify that they have a current liability insurance policy, can provide proof of payment, and that they are able to provide you with appropriate documentation, such as an invoice.

Whether or not you place a high value on legality and legitimacy dictates whether or not you should do this.

Looking for a good tutor? One who works for a reputable company is always the best and safest bet.

The rule applies in most cases.

Therefore, parents want to know how to tell if a company is providing a high-quality service or if they are just making it seem that way to attract business.

This article will provide you with some pointers to follow when searching for a qualified tutor.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Good Tutoring Company and a Private Tutor

There are a few ways to find out this information, one of which is to pretend to apply for a position as a tutor at the company in question and then watch the hiring process.

What do they think is the most important part of the criteria, if any?

Do they seem to care more about quantifiable criteria than about qualitative characteristics in people?

The second step is for the company to ensure that all tutors are properly trained and are required to use a uniform approach. If they don’t, then they’re merely a middleman who sends you a tutor who can use any method(s) of instruction (or none at all) that the tutor chooses.

In that case, it’s safe to assume the service the company offers is legitimate. It’s like purchasing a car at a dealership without being told anything about it other than the fact that it meets the dealership’s minimum standards.

Businesses that offer tutoring services frequently face this problem.

The company does not always provide their tutors with the necessary training or procedures because they are typically independent contractors rather than employees.

A company can’t expect a subcontractor to act like a full-time worker.

This is a common practice for many tutoring businesses, as outsourcing tasks to freelancers reduces overhead.

That’s why it’s important to find out if the tutor you’re considering is an employee or a subcontractor, and if they’re an employee, what kind of training they get and what kind of standards they’re held to.

If the tutoring service is confident in its own standards, it should have no problem telling you exactly what it is looking for in a tutor and why.

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting basic information from a company that isn’t sure of itself when it comes to quality control.

Looking for a primary school program? Dr. Study offers an online and in-person program that helps kids learn English, Maths, Science and Humanities. 

What Are the Criteria for a Tutoring Company?

Tutors at many different tuition agencies follow a set curriculum designed by the agency itself.

This holds true regardless of the student’s current course of study or the specific subjects in which they may be struggling.

These methods may be analogous to “cross-training” for students who are already excelling academically but wish to broaden their knowledge base.

However, this approach can be confusing and overwhelming for students who are struggling in certain subject areas and who want to improve their performance in class.

Because of this, you should check that the company requires their tutors to follow the curriculum being taught in your child’s school and to learn specifically what your child is working on in class.

Make sure they have the freedom to focus on the areas in which your child needs the most help and that they take the necessary steps to identify those areas. An effective teacher or tutor will have this quality in abundance.

As a result, the most effective strategy is when the tutor makes an effort to talk to the student’s classroom teacher(s). Having a tutor who gets along well with your child’s teacher at school is a great way to smooth over any tension that may exist between your child’s home life and their academic life.

For the tutor’s benefit, it is important that he or she have a firm grasp of classroom dynamics.

If your child’s classroom teacher recognises the need for supplementary instruction but lacks the time to provide it, she or he can let the tutor know about the specific areas in which your child is struggling so that they can focus their efforts there.

Because this is such an important part of quality tutoring, you should not only require that your child’s tutor communicate with the teacher at their school, but also that the tutor initiate communication.

There should be no locked-in contracts; if you’re unhappy with your tutor, you should be able to stop working with them and pay only for the lessons you’ve already had.

If you decide you don’t like your tutor, you shouldn’t have to pay anything beyond what you’ve already spent on lessons.

It’s best to avoid signing any contracts with companies that require upfront payments or require you to commit for an extended period of time.

If the company is aware that its current staff members have the potential to be outstanding educators and role models, then there is no reason to go through with this.

Find out what abilities the company values most and make it a priority to develop them yourself.

For instance, do they prioritise those with or without experience with computers in terms of computer literacy?

Do they emphasise techniques proven to boost self-assurance, or do they approach your kid like a robot?

Do they also give you the chance to work on things like learning how to learn, higher-level thinking, and evaluating your own progress?

Do they take the time to learn which learning method your child prefers, or do they treat all of their students the same?

A good tutoring service goes above and beyond just providing a tutor for a student’s individual needs.

If you’re looking for a tutoring service, make sure they take the time to get to know your specific needs and goals so they can better help you and your child.

Looking for Secondary High School Tutoring in Melbourne? Achieve academic success and make the transition into high school easier for your child with Dr Study!

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

A good tutor will have strong verbal and written communication skills, will show enthusiasm for their work, will be available for tutoring sessions, will be well-versed in the material at hand, and will be able to adapt to the student’s preferred method of instruction.

There is a plethora of different tutoring options available, but it can be challenging to narrow down which one will be most effective for a given student.

An in-depth familiarity with the features of effective tutoring is crucial.

Among these are trustworthiness, adaptability, patience, attentiveness, professionalism, teamwork, self-assurance, and character.

The ability to adapt one’s teaching style to the unique needs of each student requires both honesty and flexibility. Teaching younger students requires patience and the ability to tune into their mental state through active listening.

Teachers need the confidence to inspire their students to contribute actively in class and to simplify difficult concepts for their understanding.

The learner’s personality plays a significant role in their level of motivation, enthusiasm, confidence, and ability to master and enjoy any challenges they may face.

There is no correlation between these characteristics and academic achievement, but many teachers and other professionals also display them.

Content Summary

• A good tutor needs excellent communication skills so they can help their students learn and grow.
• They need to be invested in their work and available during tutoring sessions, so it’s best to hire them on a part-time basis at the very least.
• Everyone should have access to a patient, supportive tutor who is as invested in their success as they are, regardless of their motivation for seeking out such help.
• Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the best method of instruction for a particular learner.
• Finding out what kind of learner you are and what methods work best for you can be accomplished by doing research on a topic that interests you.
• After doing your homework, you should begin searching for a tutor who meets your needs and is comfortable working with you in your preferred learning style.
• Many parents compare the process of choosing the right tutor for their kids to that of buying their first car.
• First-time car buyers have access to a wealth of ‘user-friendly’ online advice resources, but it is much more challenging to find guidance on selecting the most suitable tutor.
• This is true despite the fact that selecting a suitable tutor for your child may prove to be more consequential to his or her long-term success than the vast majority of other choices you will be called upon to make.
• Remember that your child’s tutor is more than just another teacher; he or she will also serve as a role model.
• Keep your voice and body language calm and collected instead of showing irritation.
• The role of the teacher is not one that you can fill.
• Instead, make it clear that you’re willing to work with the student outside of class to enhance her academic experience.
• You were picked because you have the right stuff to be an inspiring teacher and mentor.
• It’s a great chance to model a growth mindset and teach her that it’s okay to make mistakes, and she might even feel better about herself.
• One of the most important personal qualities of a good tutor is the ability to communicate in a way that makes the learner feel motivated, enthusiastic, confident, and capable of mastering and enjoying whatever challenges come along.
• This skill is crucial for a successful tutor.
• To put it another way, a capable tutor should have strong interpersonal skills, particularly when it comes to engaging and motivating young students.
• When teaching younger students, this is especially crucial.
• They need the ability to motivate their students to actively participate in class and the skill to break down complex ideas in a way that “makes sense” to their learners.
• If they are unable to do so, it will not matter how qualified, experienced, or authoritative the tutors are; your child will receive a failing grade from them.

Author

Dr. Olga Abeysekera

Dr Olga Abeysekera, founder of Dr Study Tutoring and the Dr Progress Group Pty Ltd, is passionate about transforming education through innovative and personalised tutoring. With a PhD in Management from Monash University and a background in both academic research and private tutoring, she has a deep commitment to helping students excel.
Her holistic approach at Dr Study Tutoring emphasises not only academic success but also the development of lifelong skills, ensuring that each student receives the best education and support possible. Dr Olga’s dedication to continuous improvement drives her mission to inspire a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

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