How to choose a GREAT Tutor

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.