Where to start?

[Jennifer12309]

Hi,

I was just looking for anyone who had any advice or hints for getting into online teaching. I've been teaching over ten years and due to circumstances I am thinking of looking into online teaching. I've looked but there are hundreds of websites but I haven't really got a clue where to start. I would prefer to look at online tuition rather than in person if possible.

Any tips would he greatly appreciate. Thanks!

Forgot to say ideally tutoring for secondary school age pupils!
Thanks.

I'm a customer, secondary level, for English & Science, plus some experience of maths online too.

I've found 2 tutors via tutor hunt though they have recently changed their commission method which makes them much less attractive. However they have been good for filtering to find suitably qualified tutors as I didn't have anyone to ask for word of mouth.

You may find that local facebook and your own website is enough to get started and then use word of mouth if you are good enough and in a key subject.

We pay weekly after the lesson via bank transfer. Our tutors have been good with short notice cancellation while on zoom (needed for tutee health reasons).

I looked for experienced teachers who would be up to speed with the specific exam board. Make sure you have all the right keywords to be picked out in searches.

I expect a tutor to plan their own teaching / tutoring but to be able to adapt if we say a test is coming up or whatever. I am happy to print things out in advance if they are sent to me.

For English we personally use a document camera so the tutor can see what DD is writing as she writes it. I don't know how we would have been able to switch to online over lockdown without it.

hth.

Thanks, that's really helpful.

What subject? (We may be in the market for an RE tutor ).

Ditto; I used Tutor-hunt to find a recently retired HoD who was excellent and just what we needed. I was able to verify her credentials by googling the school she'd previously worked at.

The commission they charge parents is enormous though; it worked out £10 / week on top of the £40 I was paying for the actual tuition ... and she felt embarrassed that I was paying that much on top of her fee. After a few lessons, we "cancelled" our Tutorhunt relationship and I have paid her privately since then (which I'm sure is against TH rules).

I think she is hopeful that she'll make a name for herself locally once she's had a few clients and be able to rely on word of mouth referrals instead.

When I used TutorHunt they charged a 'finders fee' for releasing contact details, but that was it. The 25% ongoing commission is in my view somewhat outrageous, though as PP said there are ways around it.

Not RE unfortunately 😔. English and Science. I'll have a look at Tutorhunt. It's very hard as there as so many different websites for tutors, it's hard to know where to begin. It's nice to have a starting place. Thanks.

Wow, 25% is high!

Now this might sound ridiculous, but I might be put off someone offering both English and Science, as I see them as different disciplines with different skills and expertise.

If I am looking for a tutor it's because they need more help than i or school can give, so i want someone who has everything at their fingertips.

Science covers Physics, Chemistry & Biology.
English covers Lang & Lit.

I would be doubting someone could do all that well. It would put me off.

-> Maybe just offer your main strength to start with?

No that's really helpful and useful. Thanks.

@TeenPlusTwenties

Now this might sound ridiculous, but I might be put off someone offering both English and Science, as I see them as different disciplines with different skills and expertise.

If I am looking for a tutor it's because they need more help than i or school can give, so i want someone who has everything at their fingertips.

Science covers Physics, Chemistry & Biology.
English covers Lang & Lit.

I would be doubting someone could do all that well. It would put me off.

-> Maybe just offer your main strength to start with?

I would agree with that.

Thanks all. It's been really helpful.

@TeenPlusTwenties

What subject? (We may be in the market for an RE tutor ).

Hey, what religions and exam board? I'm a Buddhist and Islam specialist and know aqa like the back of my hand - other exam boards, not so much!

Far AQA A, Christianity & Islam, and themes A,B,D&E.

She missed the teaching on Islam practices and also Crime & Punishment. (Not been in school or accessing education since lockdown #1 due to MH).

At some point when going again on maths & biology, then RS needs to get added back in as the 4th GCSE she is now going to sit.

Just going to add that there are still some tutor websites with no ongoing commission, so parents just pay a finders fee.
There may be others, but these include First Tutors and The Tutor Website.

Great, thank you 😊.

I had the same issue with Tutor Hunt.

I found myqualifiedteacher who don't charge any fees at all. So good.