How to Select a Home Tuition Teacher in Singapore

Have you been looking for A level chemistry tuition in Singapore? You may have wondered at some point whether it is better to find a tuition centre or approach a home tutor. These days, an increasing number of parents are opting for home tuition for their children for several reasons. One of the most important considerations is the one-to-one attention a child will receive, compared to learning in a large classroom or group setting. Additionally, a home tutor will also be able to tailor their teaching to a child’s individual needs, such as focusing on topics that the child is struggling with. Perhaps the largest benefit of home tutoring is that parents will not have to take time out of their busy schedules to send their children to a tuition centre. Instead, the home tutor will show up at your house, eliminating any commute time on the student’s end. In many ways, hiring a home tutor makes learning much more convenient and effective.

Of course, every parent would want the best tutor for their child, and there are no one-size-fits-all tutors. What are some ways to tell that a home tuition teacher would be a perfect match for your child’s unique learning style?

Check If Your Tutor Has Relevant Experience

If you are engaging a home tutor for your child’s weakest subject, chances are you would not want to hire a tutor on their first time teaching that subject or level. Most tutors have experience teaching a range of subjects and levels, but some may be less experienced with the subject matter your child is struggling with. For instance, a chemistry tutor may be teaching plenty of O level chemistry, but they may have little experience giving A level chemistry tuition.

One good way to check your tutor’s experience level is to look at their current and past student base. Have they taught other students with the same subject and level as your child, and how long ago was it? Since the school syllabus changes frequently, you may want to be extra safe and go for a tutor who currently has other students of the same subject and level. This ensures that the tutor is up to date on the latest syllabus, and they would probably also have methods to procure the relevant material for your child.

Another tactic is to search for tutors who have worked with students from the same school as your child. Not all schools teach topics in the same order or style. Some schools may even supplement higher ability classes with out-of-syllabus materials to enhance their learning. Finding a tutor who is teaching or has taught students from the same school makes it more likely that they are familiar with the teaching style and workload of your child’s school.

Communicate with Your Tutor Prior to Engaging Them

Communication is key when working with a home tuition teacher. It is important to establish a good connection with a prospective tutor to understand their capabilities, commitment, and teaching style before entering into any agreement, in order to avoid possible disappointment or miscommunication. To get a better gauge of your desired tutor, try to opt for meeting them in person or at least calling them, instead of simply texting. A lot of meaning, voice inflection and body language can get lost in text messages, increasing the chances that you might get a huge shock when the tutor shows up completely unlike what you imagined them to be. If possible, you could even bring your child to meet the tutor, to see whether they click well with each other.

The commitment requirements are a huge factor in choosing a home tutor. Firstly, check if the tutor is available according to your desired schedule. If you feel that your child requires tuition twice a week, make sure the tutor can commit to that on a regular basis. Some students may also require homework help outside of tuition hours. If that is the case for your child, you may want to check if your tutor has no problem with answering questions asked outside of lesson hours, such as via messages. Although most tutors are flexible about this, some may have clear rules about their contactable hours.

Do you have other special requests for your tutor regarding commitment requirements? Be sure to communicate it to them and ensure that both parties fully understand the expectations and capabilities.

Plan Your Budget

Different tutors have different rates for their services. It is no secret that home tuition is typically costlier than regular group tuition at a centre, due to the convenience and dedicated attention given to your child. The last thing you would want is to underestimate the cost of your child’s tuition lessons and run out of sufficient funds after just a few sessions. Be sure to stay updated on the current market rates for home tuition and ask for a quote from any prospective tutor.

If money is an issue, go for undergraduate or fresh graduate tutors, as they tend to charge on the low end as they typically have less experience. One of the advantages of hiring an undergraduate or fresh graduate is that they are mostly younger than your typical tutor, increasing the likelihood that they can connect better and create a special bond with your child. They may also be able to relate better to your child’s struggles with schoolwork and learning since they have recently been through the same experiences.