For tutoring to be effective, it is essential that a solid connection be established between the tutor and the student. Often this bond is created quickly, but other times it may take a few sessions before the awkwardness dissipates. The success of this good agreement is certainly a matter of the personalities of each, but also of the pedagogical qualities of a good tutor, of which here are the 5 essentials ones
Flexibility
With individual tutoring, it is always a different case to which one must adapt. Since there is no pre-made formula that would be applied to everyone indiscriminately, the tutor’s approach must be nuanced according to the student’s particular need and difficulties. As the sessions progress, the tutor should expect to re-evaluate the goals of the student progressing along the way. So don’t be afraid to make a new game plan that will be more suited to a new situation.
With online tutoring services teachers offer great flexibility. Therefore, the search for a tutor is much more quicker, since parents do not face any constraints related to travel and distance. Although there are those who require a tutor for a longer period of time, there are some students who want quick or one-time help (for example, an emergency meeting before an exam), online tutoring allows access to a qualified tutor within a very short time frame. This service is therefore ideal for those who want quick walkthroughs on topics aside from a longer commitment of weekly lessons.
Energy
To establish a good relationship, the tutor must be an energetic person at the grassroots level, someone who shows a certain enthusiasm for human relationships. This interest on or her part will certainly have a positive effect on the student demoralized by their past progress. Through charisma and motivation, the tutor becomes a role model for the student, encouraging them to become more involved in their academic success.
Openness
To fully understand a student’s situation, one must listen to one’s needs and demonstrate openness. First, learning about the context (academic situation, school environment, at home, etc.) allows for more targeted monitoring and the use of the right working methods. The involvement and presence of the tutor provides good supervision to the student in difficulty who will therefore feel valued. In its opening, the tutor must both assert their accessibility as well as their involvement. A good tutor should be curious and interested in the student he or she is helping
Know how to communicate well
Without communication, how could a teacher teach? It’s one thing to know the material, you have to be able to pass it on as well! In addition, it is a relationship between the students and the teacher. A tutor must be well understood in their explanations and in addition to expressing themselves clearly, it is also necessary to have an ease to popularize the different notions. The teacher must have their students communicate to find out if they have understood, to ask questions, to answer questions, etc. And the teacher must communicate to their students the subject matter of the course. Good communication also covers the non-verbal aspects : self-confidence is inevitably reflected in the attitude one adopts.
It is true that today, in some classes we find ourselves more in a situation where the teacher speaks alone for 1 hour and the students listen (or not) for 1 hour. This is a real problem because the teacher has to be sure that their students understand the subject.
Humility
Even if we know the concepts at our fingertips, we may miss elements of matter. It’s normal, you can’t know everything, and you have to be able to recognize it. It is better to tell the student that the answer is not known than to give approximate information. In other more difficult situations, where the characters are less compatible or the sessions are not successful, it is important to know how to take a step back and admit when you may not be the right person to help the student.
Conclusion
To have the full potential of a good tutor, they must also have the confidence of the parents. From the first meeting(online or physical) they are often invited to exchange well with the tutor, to communicate both their expectations in relation to tutoring, but also to better know the tutor and understand the nature of his work. This collaboration is beneficial to the success of the student, who will be supported in their efforts and well supervised. If your selected Tutor has the qualities mentioned above, you should know you are in safe hands!
