Success in school and beyond is important to majority of us and our children. To this end it is common for people to consider using a tutor to help them with any obstacles that might impede their success. However, not everyone find it easy accepting tutors, in spite of the difficulty they are encounter with their studies. For teens, working with a tutor, violates their sense of "cool". For younger students, the idea of working with someone you don't know is hard. Adults may need a tutor too, but the obstacles they have are more ego than anything else.
One big tip as a tutor is "never take it personally." You should be prepared for such reactions, however, be persistent. A positive attitude - scheduling regular sessions (every week) and planning specific topics - will go far towards breaking down this resistance. The reality is, whether the student shows it or not, most are happy to have someone spend special time with them and design the sessions to their needs and interests. The words "interests" is very important here. Find out what that student is interested in, and tailor the presentation to them to include and relate the instruction to their interests. You'll find this will keep their focus at a higher level, and also help them retain what you are teaching them.
Some tutoring programs have specific locations and some let the tutor and student find a place that is convenient to both.
Tutoring in groups can sometimes makes it easier for you and your student to establish relationship and the student doesn't feel as though they are the only one with these problems. Group tutoring can be perfect for adolescents as many teens and preteens love then interaction. Group tutoring can also be considerably the most problematic. It is often difficult to find multiple students with exactly same needs. Some "franchise" tutoring locations will set up groups of 2 or 3 as policy, but each student may be coming from a wide range of levels. You could have one student learning Algebra 1, one learning Geometry, and the third learning Basic Math. You can see how this can cause problems not only with the students but also with the tutors trying to keep everything straight. This can also lead to idle time, and distracting interaction outside of the session, if one of the students needs special or extended attention.
Tutoring in groups can sometimes makes it easier for you and your student to establish relationship and the student doesn't feel as though they are the only one with these problems. Group tutoring can be perfect for adolescents as many teens and preteens love then interaction. Group tutoring can also be considerably the most problematic. It is often difficult to find multiple students with exactly same needs. Some "franchise" tutoring locations will set up groups of 2 or 3 as policy, but each student may be coming from a wide range of levels. You could have one student learning Algebra 1, one learning Geometry, and the third learning Basic Math. You can see how this can cause problems not only with the students but also with the tutors trying to keep everything straight. This can also lead to idle time, and distracting interaction outside of the session, if one of the students needs special or extended attention.
