The 3 Biggest Scams in After-School Tuition
- Explore Learning Scam No. 1 (charging for crappy American software, when much better is free on internet - see many free links below that offer better software than Explore Learning).
- Student Support Centre Scam No. 2 (massively overpriced videos that children cannot understand - they still ask for a tutor).
- Kumon Scam No. 3 (massively overpriced worksheet printing service - includes no tuition, marking, teaching or support - parents have to do everything).
All three of the above rake off massive amounts of money, use aggressive sales tactics, and are not 'tuition providers' at all.
The fact is it?s only because we parents have been so gullible that all 3 of the above get away with. Don't get ripped off by Explore, Student Support, or Kumon.
Kumon worksheets actually reduced my child to tears through a combination of no teaching or explanation, endless repetition and intense boredom. Children need more.
I myself have been ripped off by two of the above, and warned about the other by many parents. Now I am much more careful.
If you want tuition (and the truth is all children need it today), then my advice is get free worksheets and software off the internet. But if you are serious about your child's education pay for it. We get what we pay for. A good tutor usually costs £30-50 per hour now. However, if you are lunch you can get some very good tuition centres that will teach properly with real teachers for just £15 per hour. That is pretty good value.
Links:
These are good and are free.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks1bitesize/index.shtml
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/
uk.ixl.com/math/years
These are very good and cost peanuts.
www.mymaths.co.uk/
www.themathsfactor.com/
But I would still recommend getting a proper tutor or tuition centre. In the long-run they are worth the investment.