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As a parent with school age children, a student looking for help in further education or perhaps an adult learner looking for support with any conceivable area of learning, the use of a personal tutor may be something you have considered. In this article, I hope to provide interested parties with a brief outline of how the kind of focused, one-to-one approach that tutoring offers can be of value to yourself or your child.
The Difference Between Teaching and Tutoring.
One of the first things to consider is the difference between teaching and tutoring. It's helpful to define the former as the passing on of new knowledge to students; in short, the kind of education a child can expect to receive from their first day at school onwards. Teachers take students and give them the knowledge they need to read, write, use maths or learn about history. Students learn things from their teachers that they did not previously know. Tutoring, meanwhile, is more concerned with helping a student to fully understand the things they have been taught; to go over, to practise and become proficient at things they may want or need to improve upon. In many cases then, tutoring exists alongside teaching, augmenting and supporting the learning and understanding process. Of course, teachers can and do revise subjects with their students, just as tutors can show their pupils new things. The important point to remember is that the two can comfortably coexist. All learners can benefit from a deeper understanding of the subjects they study, and that is where private tutoring comes in.
The One-to-One Approach.
The main advantage of a personal tutor is the opportunity for yourself or your child to experience a focused, tailored, one-to-one approach to learning. It's a fact that many classrooms can be busy, noisy, lively environments. Lots of learners can and do thrive in such an atmosphere. Others, however, may struggle. They may be too nervous to speak up when they don't understand something. They may be distracted by disruptive students. They may be a disruptive student themselves, not reaching their own potential in an effort to stand out from the crowd. And the fact remains that teachers, under pressure to deliver a large and complex curriculum in a short period and to a large number of students only have so much time and attention to give. Some aspects of learning may be passed over too briefly when a child who struggles would benefit hugely from the opportunity to slow things down, go back through the material, and really understand what he/she is being taught. Quieter children, or those who can be difficult to teach, are too often left by the wayside because there simply isn't time.
The beauty of the personal tutoring solution is that it simplifies. A learner can escape the bustling classroom environment and receive individual support that goes at a pace more comfortable for them. This includes plenty of opportunity to repeat difficult parts until understanding is achieved. A good tutor will tailor sessions to their pupil's individual interests and areas of weakness so that sessions remain engaging and no time is wasted. Because of this, there's no chance of getting left behind and, while it would be silly to suggest that every aspect of education can be made fascinating, there's less chance of a student losing interest, failing to engage, and missing out on something important. Tutoring can take place at either the tutor or learner's home. Aside from the obvious advantages of a quiet atmosphere with a minimum of distraction, learners who find school intimidating often find that they can get a lot more done in a relaxed environment where they feel comfortable. The increased focus of a one-to-one session can help both tutor and learner be more productive. You can get a lot done in an hour with the right conditions!
Flexibility is another key aspect of the one-to-one approach. Tutoring sessions can be led by the learner's needs. There is no curriculum to stick to, so tutor and student are free to work on whatever needs working on, and plans can be changed at short notice if something comes up. A student may have encountered something that confused or worried them while at school or in a piece of homework, and a good tutor will be flexible enough to provide help with any such issues that arise. The ability to cover exactly what you or your child may need help with, dealing with problems as and when they come up so that they don't persist and cause difficulties later on is an invaluable resource that is unique to tutoring.
The one-to-one approach also provides the opportunity for parents to have a large amount of communication with their child's tutor. A good tutor will make use of the advantage he/she has in working with a smaller group of learners to provide detailed feedback and support. Parents can keep themselves informed about their child's progress and be reassured and encouraged as they improve session by session. Tutors often make themselves available outside of sessions by being at the end of the phone to answer questions and help with any problems or issues that may arise.
Non-Academic Benefits.
While the primary purpose of personal tutoring is to help learners understand and keep up with the subjects they are learning, there are other benefits to the approach. For example, many students who have a personal tutor find that their confidence improves. Lessons where they are the focus of the tutor's attention, where their opinions are valued and their achievements praised can be a real boost to self-esteem. This can then manifest itself in increased participation at school which leads back to improved academic achievement.
Not Just for Those Who Struggle.
Personal tutoring can also be useful to learners who want a deeper knowledge of the subject than is required by their school. Those studying for 11+ exams may require tutoring to cover aspects of the tests such as verbal reasoning that is not covered by the standard curriculum. A tutor can help a bright and willing learner to reach his/her full potential. Tutoring can also be a valuable aid for exam preparation and can be used in the build-up to SATS or GCSEs. It's certainly worth remembering that tutoring does not have to be a permanent year-round service. In an ideal world perhaps, but financial realities do persist, and help even at selected crucial times can be vital to enabling a child to make the best of their abilities.
To Conclude...
In summary then, there are many benefits to making use of the tutoring approach. Its flexibility and focus on intensive one-to-one tailored sessions make it ideal for those who want to improve their own or their child's academic performance, improve their confidence or to make the most of their abilities. It's important to remember that it exists alongside standard teaching, filling in gaps in knowledge that may appear and acting as an invaluable resource for those who see learning as an ongoing and vital process for themselves or their children.
