To wonder what tutoring means?

[crazygracieuk]

[Flame proof suit firmly on]

When the subject of tutoring for exams like 11+ comes up I often see people say that their dc wasn't tutored but the parent went through a few practice papers with them.

I thought that's what tutors did or does tutoring mean something else?

I am helping my dc prepare for a grammar school exam next year by doing past papers etc. Is that tutoring or not?

What's in a name? Tutoring, teaching, coaching, helping, practising .... all the same stuff isn't it?

Of course it is.

A professional tutor though will know the required standard, be able to be tough with your kids and demand excellence, and the child will usually take them more seriously.(if you find a good one) Same as learning to drive, it's always easier with a stranger.

To me, tutoring is teaching the information in lessons tailored to that particular pupil. It might include past papers just before an exam, but in the main means teaching them in a one-to-one or small group situation.

Yes of course it is, but people like to take the moral high ground by looking down their nose at those who paid for it, rather than doing it themselves.

I think there is a distinction between paid for tutoring and unpaid tutoring by parents.

Paid-for tutoring is clearly not financially possible for all, therefore if paid-for tutoring is needed to get into a grammar school, that means grammar schools are excluding the poorest.

Parental tutoring is however available to all, at least in theory (though of course there will be some families where the parents don't have the time or education to help much) and therefore it is less of an issue if parental tutoring is needed to get into a grammar school.

If I hear about tutoring for the 11+ I'd assume they meant paid for tutoring.

To me tutoring is one to one paid-for lessons in the child's own home with a professional. we have done it with both our DS for maths GCSE and found it to get excellent results. the tutors were child centred and focussed on the output, which, as a supplement to school over a short time period worked very well.

I would agree with Carabos on the definition.

Thanks everyone. I am helping dc and have bought resources like test papers and books so there is still some financial cost to me.