Questions to ask your online tutor
What qualifications does the tutor have?
Find out about the tutor's education – what school and university they went to, what they studied – as well as asking if they have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Remember that 'experts' don't always make the best tutors; core knowledge is vital, but it can be equally important to ask if they took the same tests/exams your child is going to sit.
What tutoring experience do they have?
Bear in mind that for certain subjects, such as UCAS applications, or degree-level help, a tutor who has recently been through the same process and been successful can be just as helpful, even if they have less tutoring experience.
Which examination board(s) is the tutor familiar with?
If possible, ask your child's teacher which exam board they use, so that your child and the online tutor are aligned. The syllabus for each board is available online, and often past or practice exam papers can be downloaded for free.
A tutor with experience as an examiner can also be really valuable, and this is something which may not always be advertised, so it's a good question to drop in.
How do I choose a tutor for my child?
Like everything in life, there are tutors and then there are tutors. Some will charge low, some will charge high. Some will have experience, some will have none. It's not really a one size fits all. This a sliding scale that has a number of different inputs - and that affects the output - which is the price.
How do they make lessons engaging?
It's helpful to ask the tutor how the lessons are constructed; will they use 'fun' learning materials, or engage through mutual interests? Good tutors will quickly learn what the best approach is to engage your child, and will often ask for your advice on this.
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How long are the tutoring lessons?
Ask yourself whether your child can concentrate fully for an hour, or whether half-hour sessions would be more achievable. This will entirely depend on the age of your child and what you and the tutor think is sensible. It's a good idea to ask the tutor how long they would recommend. Either way, breaks are important, so don't forget to schedule those in too. It’s important to consider that their attention span might be shorter with online tutoring than it would be in real life.
Do they set homework?
Many online tutoring companies choose not to add to the workload of a student. However, a small amount of work (or past papers during exam time) can be beneficial. Make sure your tutor knows your child's homework schedule so that they don't become overwhelmed with extra work.
How can parents assist with their child's progress when the tutor's not there?
Some parents will have a tutor to help with all of their child's homework; for others, 10 hours of one-on-one tutoring sessions can be a big investment. It's crucial to remember that you can benefit from the experience without lots of expense. Ask the tutor what advice they can give on strategies or skills you can work on with your child when the tutoring comes to an end.
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Dos and don’ts of tutoring
Do
1. Involve your child in the decision-making process
It is crucial for your child to be willing and open to participate in tutoring. If your child helps to choose their own perfect tutor, they feel as though it's their choice and the relationship can begin on a stronger footing.
2. Know where the problem areas are
Ask your child or your child's teacher if you're unsure: knowing what area(s) your child needs to focus on will help the tutor know how to prepare for, and approach, lessons.