Tutoring 101 - How to be an excellent tutor

1. What is tutoring?

Tutoring is a form of teaching performed by an individual to help another individual on academic subjects. Besides knowing the materials and subject matter well, tutors may also be able to express the content to the student in a clear and effective manner.

Tutoring is done in small groups, often on a one-to-one basis at the student home premises. This lower student-teacher ratio helps the flow of the tutoring session to answer specifically to the learning needs of the student.

In the Singapore context, tutors are often compensated financially for their effort.

 

2. As a tutor who is not a school teacher, how do I know what exactly is going to be tested for the subjects I am tutoring on?

Ask for the syllabus. If possible, ask the student to provide the school syllabus in which the student school is using. If getting hold of the school syllabus is a challenge, tutors may wish to consult the published MOE syllabus.

O Levels and A Level subject syllabus are available from Cambridge International Examinations website. Beside the syllabus, there are also marking scheme and past examinations questions, specimen papers and recommended textbooks.

 

3. Beside the subject revision, what are the key things to cover during the first lesson?

The first lesson with the student is very important. Tutors who are looking for a long-term tutoring relationship with the student will find it worthwhile carrying out the following list of activities.

  • Introduce yourself. Beside showing the certificates, the tutor should give a quick 3-5 mins introduction about himself/herself, the schools that he or she has attended. Describe some of the key past students and how your tutoring effort has benefited these students.
  • Find out the names, interests and other subjects the student is studying? Know your customers.
  • Payment Dates: Fix with the parent when the tuition fees are to be paid (at the end of 4 weeks, on the first week for example) , the mode of payment (by cash or by cheque).
  • Schedule: It will be fruitful to establish the tutoring schedule that are agreeable to both parties. In the scheduled, plan in the dates of major examination the student will be having, marked out the dates both parties may be travelling or unavailable. 2009 calendar Some professional tutors even identify in advance the topics to be taught or revised on each date. Having a planned schedule ensures that the right pace of tuition can be achieved. You may wish to use the 2009 calendar we have here below.

 

4. Should I get additional resources like textbooks, assessment books for the student?

This will depend on what are the current resources the student already have.

If the students school textbooks, list of assessments books are of good quality, it is usually better to stick with the school textbook. Beside avoiding spending unnecessary money, following the existing school textbook will allow the child to correlate better with what is being taught in school.

On the other hand, if the students existing resources are outdated or insufficient, tutor should take the initiative to bring up to the parent on the need to procure additional textbook or assessment books. Additional textbooks and assessment books are typically additional expenses borne by the parent.

 

5. Where is the best place to get assessment books for the students?

Popular Bookshop Popular Bookshop is found in many malls over all Singapore. Popular carries a wide variety of assessment book materials. Do consider getting a membership card if you are buying these materials on a regular basis.

bras basah Bras Basah Complex (next to the National Library) along Bras Basah road is the best place to get assessment books in Singapore. The complex has the widest selection of school related materials. Top school examination papers are also often on sale at Bras Basah Complex.