What do parents want from a tutor?

[Sparks654]

I have been tutoring for about 15 years and I've noticed that in that time there's been quite a noticeable shift in parents' expectations and requests. Above all I notice that the trend is a much softer approach that basically relies on the classes alone to try and make progress and no homework, and combined with that a more "quick fix" approach.

I am wondering what I could do to adapt to this, but at the same time not compromise on my quality of tutoring as I often find what the parent suggests is just not going to be viable. My subject is English, and to correct poor reading and writing skills takes time. I generally find it takes 5-6 months to make some solid progress.

I've noticed that recently people will just do 7-8 classes and assume that is enough and we are still barely covering the basics, let alone practicing exam questions. I also feel that there's a strange disconnect in expectations around homework. Many parents ask me to set their kids homework but then when I do, make excuses for their child not having done it or worse tell me that it's too overwhelming and I should be congratulating them just for coming to the class. When I had tutoring as a kid I had to do homework and I was never praised for that. I do feel like it's gone a bit far, and is not a way to make progress and build resilience for the future.

I guess another factor is that many opt for online because it's convenient but it simply isn't as good and my best results have always come from pupils I tutor in person.

But as a teacher I do want to continually grow and maybe there is a way that I can bridge the gap between what I know will work and bring results (medium term tutoring correcting the basics of literacy first), and what parents ask for (answering exam questions), and catering to their budgets. I do love tutoring and helping kids who are struggling and have had some really rewarding experiences, with kids finding that the work they do with me then helps them with all their Humanities subjects, but it's becoming increasingly difficult with such short term thinking.

We are half your kind of parents.

We said no homework for DD because frankly she just couldn't cope, but she engaged well with tutoring. We certainly weren't looking for quick fixes however, as she had 3 years from end y8-y11 as we knew a steady approach was needed. Unfortunately covid screwed her anyway.

I think you just need to have a clear discussion with parents at the outset and only take on tutees if their parents' approach aligns with yours.

You might need to explain your reasons and thinking to parents with some examples of what needs to be done and what can be achieved in 6 months then in one year. You might need to give some personalised feedback based on the child's aptitude and learning skills. Not all children learn the same, some do well with homework while others don't. Some do well listening while others learn better doing, reading or practising.
You may need to speak to parents and inform them after 2-3 lessons that this is not an overnight miracle learning and it will take time as well as dedication to achieve the goals proposed.

My son's A level tutors take two different approaches.

In one subject, he goes through exam questions and fills in gaps in knowledge. It is online, so there are a handful of other kids and they are encouraged to participate. There is no homework as such but he sends out exam questions on the topic they are going to address a few days beforehand and the kids can submit their answers for feedback or if they prefer, just use them to follow through on his demonstration of model answers and correct them themselves. It is working brilliantly and my son's grades have gone up a lot. Learning exam technique is a quick fix, I guess? I am not sure if that works in English - he is doing sciences.

He has a one-on-one tutor for another subject and in that one, they pick a topic and my son looks over his school notes/textbook before the tutoring session and they work through problems together in their hour. No homework but lots of in-session explanation. I encourage my son to revisit the topic in the next couple of days to embed it in his memory. I am not sure how effective this is, yet.

Both tutors have invited him to email any questions or any work he wants feedback on in between sessions - which is great.

I think you just need to have a clear discussion with parents at the outset and only take on tutees if their parents' approach aligns with yours.

@TeenToTwenties has summed my thoughts up.

I am coming at this from a slightly different angle to most of the clients you will have. I have 2 DC with EOTAS/EOTIS. For us, the priority for tutors is someone with SEN experience who is going to listen to me, DC and other professionals involved and be willing to learn and take on board advice from those who know DC well. Tutors need to be flexible in their approach. Their tutors don’t set homework because they can’t work independently.