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When I first meet a new student and their family, it is really important that we decide what areas need to be worked on first so that our sessions start to help and show results in all areas - in class work, homework, tests or revision.... and most importantly, for long-term success, a boost in overall confidence about the subject!
I always pose the same two questions - ' If you were to have just one topic taught in all your lessons for one week, which would be your favourite/least favourite?'
It can be difficult to pick from all the work that has been covered and can take a while to answer!
These questions help the student to focus - the first one pinpoints which areas they enjoy and feel confident in, which will need less work.
The answer to the second is more informative to me ..... which areas do they feel they have few skills in, where they lack confidence and possibly have gaps in their knowledge and understanding.
If that second question were to come true, it would probably give them a very bad week indeed! But not for long!
Further target questions about these choices help me to see where a student needs support and just what we need to tackle first to get them feeling better about the subject, increasing in confidence and progressing well.
