If common myths about tutoring are holding you back from hiring a tutor for yourself (or for your child), then you should read the following as we debunk these myths about tutoring and give you a whole new perspective on tutoring.
Myth #1: Tutoring is a regular, weekly commitment
A lot of people are hesitant when hiring a tutor or purchasing a tutoring package. Why? Because they think that they will be burdened with a large commitment. Instead, tutoring can be on an as-needed basis. For example, on the TutorOcean platform, there is a large pool of tutors, hence they can cover almost all the hours in the day and even the wee hours into the night. There are tutors who can “shadow” students who need consistent, regular help and others can help to clear up any last minute questions and give a final boost of confidence to students the night before a big test.
Myth #2: Tutoring simply means “help with homework”
To start, there are two types of homework help. One is remediation and the other is reinforcement. Remediation focuses on “going back to/re-teaching the basics” and it tends to be somewhat different from the school curriculum. This method is suitable for younger students (up to grade six), who has time to take on a separate academic curriculum and is in need of supplementary, long-term help in a certain subject. Reinforcement is tutoring that specifically targets what a student is learning right now in school and would be more appropriate for middle school and high school students. A tutor would help diagnose particular areas that the student is struggling with and tailor their sessions to ensure that the student sees immediate school-related results. Either methods can help a student, but choosing which comes down to their schedules and workload. Just remember, both remediation and reinforcement help strengthen the basics.
Myth #3: Tutors need to be certified teachers
Though both tutors and teachers work with students on developing academic skills, the former focus on only one student at a time (or few students in a group session). They’re capable of judging when a student doesn’t really understand the material being taught, and what is the right pace that the sessions should be conducted in – according to the student’s needs and learning style. While teachers are accustomed to guide a large group of students – meaning that there is a variety of skill levels – at the same time, following a set of standards/mandatory curriculum.
If you still have doubts about hiring a private tutor, just remember these benefits:
- They form lasting relationships with their students because they can establish trust.
- They can personalize tutoring sessions to accommodate a student’s needs and learning style.
- They can guide a student through problem areas, step-by-step, adjusting their lessons “on the spot,” all the while ensuring that sessions are on track.
Myth #4: Just go with the tutor who has the cheapest hourly rate
Many people think they can’t afford “good quality” tutoring, but the truth is that no one can afford to waste money on ineffective tutoring. An experienced tutor who charges a higher hourly rate often ends up being cheaper in the long run, because they know how to help individual students, what to focus on, and they can make adjustments at once. Hence, one or two sessions with them are drastically more helpful and cost-effective compared to a dragged out tutoring experience that ends up costing a lot more.
Not only can tutors help you get better grades, but they can also help you get ahead and excel in your courses. Get help from a tutor today. Sign up as a student is completely free!
TutorOcean
TutorOcean is a global marketplace where learners and tutors connect. Through its intuitive and integrated online classroom, tutors are able to cultivate the internal motivation and potential of learners, and thus help them achieve their goals. It's a place where the connection is made instantly, knowledge is shared and acquired in real-time, and community is created while breaking geographical boundaries.
