Traditionally, tutors were used for struggling students who needed extra attention. Today, there are a variety of reasons why students and parents use the services of a tutoring organisation. There are still students who need help, perhaps because they don’t have a firm grasp on a particular topic, or have missed a lot of school, or feel uncomfortable asking questions in front of their peers. However, there are also students who are excelling in the curriculum and wish to perform even better. Some students also receive coaching for scholarship exam preparation.
So, what to look for when choosing a tutor? A high-quality tutor will have academic qualifications and experience in the subject they are teaching. For example, at Strive for Excellence Tutoring, our science tutors obtained exceptional results in their science subjects at VCE, and are now studying in science-related fields, such as medicine and pharmacy. This ensures they have strong knowledge in all facets of their subject. This applies to all our subject tutors. They must also be familiar with the current curriculum, and including changes being made to it.
However, tutors must also possess qualities that are more intangible. An excellent tutor will be good at passing on their knowledge, and enthusiastic about learning. They should enjoy working with young people, and have patience and a sense of humour. At Strive for Excellence Tutoring, our tutors are not only experts in their particular subject area, but also equally skilled at encouraging and challenging their students.
And what about the physical surroundings of the tutoring centre itself? At Strive for Excellence Tutoring, we actively avoid replicating the classic classroom setting – with the teacher at the front of the room and rows of tables and chairs – as we realise it is this very set up that may be causing some students to under-perform at school. Rather, we provide either individual or small group tutoring.
Individual tutoring is fantastic because a tutor designs the lesson around a students’ specific needs, and develop the areas they are struggling in, at a suitable pace. However, it is more expensive and doesn’t provide students with the opportunity to bounce their ideas off others. Small group teaching can work very well if all the students in the group are at the same level, requiring assistance in similar areas. It is a less-expensive option, and students can discuss their ideas with each other. Strive for Excellence offers a combination of both, and we find that it becomes apparent for students soon enough which option is best.
Also of importance are the resources that a tutoring centre provides. Our centre is conducive to studying – it is well-lit, comfortable, and stocked with school supplies (pens, pencils, paper, stapler, calculator, ruler, etc.) and references (dictionary, thesaurus). We have computers with internet access available for research, homework and projects and we hold an extensive collection of notes, activities and practice exams for each subject.
We wish you luck on finding the right tutor for you.
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Self Esteem - The key to success
Last month writer Shelley Hadfield published an article entitled, 'Parents urged to take a step back to help children'. It echoes the sentiments in the popular article that appeared in The Atlantic earlier this year, 'Why parents need to let their children fail', written by teacher Jessica Lahey. Both articles discuss how parents today are doing too much for their children, with detrimental effects.
Everyone has heard the war stories of parents who stay up all night to complete their child's science project. Or deliver forgotten lunches, assignments, or uniforms through the school gate. They are almost a cliche. And there is nothing wrong with Mum or Dad helping out occasionally with a difficult maths problem. But these days there seems to be a whole level of overprotectiveness: parents who are actually encouraging in their children a sense of helplessness.
Parents themselves are not entirely to blame. From the moment their children are born, parents naturally only want the best for them. As children grow older and begin their formal schooling, the emphasis on academic success can overwhelm both the parent and child.
Unfortunately the outcome of a child whose parent has never let them fail a single assignment or discover solutions to problems themselves, is an anxious adult unable to cope with inevitable future setbacks and failures.
In Hadfield's article, social worker Chris Daicos urges parents to build up resilience in their children by letting them experience life's ups and downs. High self-esteem arises from children being allowed to fail, to try again, and to eventually succeed. Ms Daicos also encourages parents not to do anything for their child that they can do themselves; to let their child solve problems at their own pace; and to help them consider the consequences of their decisions. It is undeniably hard to watch one's child experiencing hurt, anger and frustration, but ultimately these become the adults who are the happiest and most successful in their lives.
Everyone has heard the war stories of parents who stay up all night to complete their child's science project. Or deliver forgotten lunches, assignments, or uniforms through the school gate. They are almost a cliche. And there is nothing wrong with Mum or Dad helping out occasionally with a difficult maths problem. But these days there seems to be a whole level of overprotectiveness: parents who are actually encouraging in their children a sense of helplessness.
Parents themselves are not entirely to blame. From the moment their children are born, parents naturally only want the best for them. As children grow older and begin their formal schooling, the emphasis on academic success can overwhelm both the parent and child.
Unfortunately the outcome of a child whose parent has never let them fail a single assignment or discover solutions to problems themselves, is an anxious adult unable to cope with inevitable future setbacks and failures.
In Hadfield's article, social worker Chris Daicos urges parents to build up resilience in their children by letting them experience life's ups and downs. High self-esteem arises from children being allowed to fail, to try again, and to eventually succeed. Ms Daicos also encourages parents not to do anything for their child that they can do themselves; to let their child solve problems at their own pace; and to help them consider the consequences of their decisions. It is undeniably hard to watch one's child experiencing hurt, anger and frustration, but ultimately these become the adults who are the happiest and most successful in their lives.
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