So yesterday I shared with you about learning centers. There were pros and cons to them, as there are with any types of learning assistance. Today, let’s talk actual tutoring for your child as a way to offer some extra learning assistance.
If your child struggles in school and you are really looking for some extra help for him, you can always look into hiring a private tutor for him. Private tutoring is growing in popularity and can be very helpful to students.
Let’s talk about this. Private tutors are often college students who may be majoring in education, or they may be certified teachers who stay at home with their children, or even certified teachers who just want to make some extra money during their spare time. What I wouldn’t look for in a private tutor is someone who isn’t a certified teacher or someone who isn’t majoring in education in college. I wouldn’t want to hire someone who doesn’t have some teaching knowledge; after all, the purpose of tutoring is for your child to learn. Teachers teach, children learn.
Private tutoring can be done in your home with you present, it can be done in the tutor’s home (should you even feel comfortable doing this), or you can agree to meet with the tutor in a public place, such as the library. You may be wondering where you can find a private tutor for your child. First, check with your child’s school. Often times, schools keep a master list of educators who also tutor. If not, try calling your nearest college and see if they have a tutoring program available for education majors. Once you have found a list of tutors, have contacted those that interest you and have checked references, you may hire your tutor.
The tutor would be expected to meet with your child, typically one to two times a week for an hour a time. The tutor should know from conversations with you what your child is struggling with. Tutoring can be as basic as just assisting your child with his homework in that subject, or it can be as complicated as the tutor showing specific learning strategies, test taking skills, study skills, and supplying extra assignments for them to do together and then your child to work on independently. It really is up to you and the tutor as to which type of tutoring you want to happen.
Pay. Private tutoring is usually moderately or reasonably priced, depending on the tutor. The tutor will set her fees and let you know beforehand. Typically, in the area I live in, private tutors charge 20 dollars an hour. In some areas where cost of living is higher, private tutors may charge up to 50 dollars an hour, especially if they are certified teachers.
This may be where a college student is beneficial; they probably charge a bit less and can save you some money. Plus, college students are often eager and really try to make the learning time fun. Not that certified teachers don’t. I recall being in college and trying to turn every type of tutoring situation I did into something entertaining and educational for the child. Plus, I didn’t charge nearly as much because I wasn’t certified as a teacher yet, so I didn’t feel it was appropriate to charge as much as a teacher would.
Private tutoring is also one-on-one. Usually in the learning centers the teacher is with three students at once. Yes, your child gets a lot of attention at a learning center, but one-on-one learning can’t be beat.
Are there other types of learning assistance available for your child? There sure are!