1 Qualifications: If you are seeking a tutor for a child, the best type of tutor will usually be someone with a teaching degree who specialises in the same age group. Teaching children requires a certain kind of patience and it requires vocation and a sincere love for education, qualities, which dedicated primary school teachers should display in abundance. If you are an adult student, on the other hand, it is vital that your tutor be truly specialised in the subject matter at hand. Try to find one who has graduated from the course you are studying; if you can afford it, seek out someone with post-graduate studies in your field.
2 Affordability: Tutors can charge anywhere from £15 to £80 or more per hour. If you are after a highly specialised tutor, the high fee may be worth your while. For easier subjects, on the other hand, you should look to paying no more than £15 to £30.
3 Personality: A good tutor should not only teach you the inner workings of a particular subject; they should also know how to motivate and inspire you. They should also be able to adapt the lessons to your level and needs, and if they have a good sense of humour, your sessions will always be as fun as they are informative.
4 Flexibility: A tutor who truly cares about your progress will try to be available for out-of-class queries. Some may even offer to help you out with an online session prior to an important exam or assignment.
5 Proximity: The closer your tutor lives, the more likely they will show up promptly and be available for last-minute tutoring sessions.
6 Feedback: A good tutor will be open to your feedback on how your sessions are going.
7 Consider hiring a home tutor from an agency: They will ensure that the tutor has a DBS or CRB check, so students and parents alike can feel safe. If you are hiring a tutor yourself, it might also be a good idea to ask them to provide you with a copy of this certificate.
8 Ask for references: A good tutor should be able to provide you with numbers of past students and their parents. If they are new to the field, ask for the number of a previous employer or university professor.
9 Creativity: A tutor will have to keep you motivated for many weeks or months; ensure they have the creative talent they need to do so.
10 Example Lesson Plans: Ask them how they would plan a typical lesson, so you can glean the level of their commitment and understanding of what you would like lessons to be like.
We hope that you have found these tips useful, and we wish you the best of luck with your search.
