How Much Does a Chegg Tutor Makes?

How Much Does a Chegg Tutor Makes?This article will give you a more detailed look at the salary for a Chegg Tutor. Most companies that hire tutors will need them to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. In order to get hired, they will require that the tutor has been taking online courses in web development for at least two years.Tutors work with individuals that need to learn new skills and know new things. They are also usually looking for someone that is friendly and can share their knowledge with others. When they hire a tutor, they often require that the tutor have certifications such as an Associate's Degree. An Associate's Degree is the most common one that most people will find.A good place to look for a job is to find a company or website that is willing to advertise jobs that are available in the field of web development. The more jobs that you post, the better your chances are of being contacted. You may be surprised at what happens when you actually contact the company.Tut ors should be courteous and provide the customer service that a company needs to have. Also, they should be good at what they do because of all the online work that they will be doing.One thing that you should be able to figure out from looking into how much does a Chegg Tutor make is that the cost is based on the amount of money that a company wants to spend. The cost will vary depending on the location where the company is located. If you live in North Carolina, a tutor that lives in the area will probably pay more than one that lives in Washington, D.C. This is because of the cost of living in different areas.Tutors who travel between schools and companies are typically paid more than those who are hired for less than five hours. This is because tutors traveling can spend a lot of time getting to and from schools to visit clients. That means they may work fewer hours than someone who works from home.However, if you can travel to Chegg and teach the company, you may be able to mak e up for the loss in pay. If you go back to college to get a higher level of education, you may find that you make more money. However, if you plan on working at home and working as a tutor for other companies, you can try to find a combination of both.

Easy Tricks To Keep Your Voice in Tip-Top Shape

Easy Tricks To Keep Your Voice in Tip-Top Shape Suzy S. Singers, do you know how to care for your voice? Ignoring your overall health may lead to vocal cord problems and more. Here, Hayward, CA teacher  Molly R.  offers her easy tips to start practicing today We singers have it easy in some ways. For one, we don’t have to go out and buy a pricey instrument! However, since we ARE our instrument, we have to take extra precautions every day to make sure things work! Here are some easy tricks to help keep that marvelous voice of yours in great shape. 1) Get plenty of rest! A tired body means a tired voice simple as that. We all lead busy schedules these days, but it’s crucial to do your best to get a reasonable amount of rest, especially before performance and voice lesson days. That doesn’t mean you need a full eight hours every night everyone’s different and may feel energized and be healthy with less. Know what you need in general to feel ready to go! 2) Stay hydrated. Guzzling tons of water right before a performance or lesson won’t really help you. In fact, you can over-hydrate this way. The rule of thumb is to stay hydrated throughout your day for both general and vocal health. One thing I suggest to my students is to bring an apple (cut into fourths) to their lesson or performance. Its the perfect ratio of water and enzymes to keep you hydrated as well as break up unpleasant stuff on your vocal folds! 3) Use it or lose it! Even a little bit of vocalizing goes a long way. Make sure you do a little something for your voice every day, if possible. Even a few minutes of sirens and slides (no piano required, and perhaps the simplest vocal warm-ups of all!) will help you keep everything in shape. Going too long without vocalizing means it will take longer to warm up your voice. 4) Protect yourself from poor speaking habits. It’s not worth it to shout! If you find yourself at a party with lots of background noise, for example, never force your voice in order for someone to hear you. This can cause a lot of vocal cord problems. Try stepping away from the noise to someplace else if you can. If you’re a sports fan, control your emotions at the games! Plenty of people find themselves voiceless the next day due to screaming for their favorite team. Again, its not worth it. You just caused phonotrauma (ouch!) and your favorite players can’t hear you, anyway! We are only given one voice, so it’s super important that you nurture it. By doing so, you can continue singing for years to come! If you ever have any questions or concerns about good vocal hygiene, do make sure you address them with your voice teacher. He or she will be more than happy to encourage good habits! Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by CSUF Photos

5 Best Apps for College Students

5 Best Apps for College Students Jill Cole Being a college student in 2014 has its pros and cons. The competition is fierce and college courses are more challenging and demanding. However, coupled with these expectations come a ton of technological tools and apps that can help make your life easier and more efficient. Here, tutor Natalie S. has picked out a few of the  top apps for college students that you should download right now! 1.  Dropbox This app and desktop tool enables you to back up all of your documents and easily share them with others. You’ll never struggle with emailing large attachments again, and you’ll never have to worry about losing all of your documents if your computer crashes. You can download Dropbox to your desktop, so you can save all of your files to this location instead of on your computer. Then, all of the info in your Dropbox syncs to the cloud and when you log into your account online, the account mirrors whatever you have saved on your desktop Dropbox. If you’re responsible for a group project, you can create a Dropbox folder and invite all of your group members to join. You can save all documents there and any updates will be seen in real time. 2.  Mathway This app is a great tool for students who are not mathematically inclined and who need additional help navigating homework and prepping for exams. You can utilize the Mathway app to check many math concepts, including your algebra, geometry, or calculus math homework. Also, if you’re stumped on a problem, Mathway will show you step by step how it can be solved. 3.  iTunes U This is a fantastic app to use in conjunction with your class lecture notes. iTunes U features lectures on all subjects by professors from leading universities, including as Cambridge and Yale. You can download lectures that correspond to the subjects you’re studying, and use iTunes U to supplement your lecture notes  and in-class seminars. 4.  SelfControl This app is designed to block certain websites like Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites that take your attention while you’re studying. Just download the app and tweak the settings, so you can block specific websites for a specific amount of time. Once you finish studying, SelfControl will turn off, and you will gain access to your favorite time-consuming social media sites once again. 5.  EasyBib This app is designed to help you correctly format all of your sources, so you can easily create your bibliography page for your research papers. Formatting bibliographies can be a daunting, time-consuming challenge. This app helps you create citations in multiple different styles, including MLA and Chicago. All you have to do is either search for the book or article you want to cite, or enter the basic information manually, and EasyBib will instantly create the correct citation. Whether you’re struggling with citations, self-control, math or file sharing, these apps for college students are must-haves to download right now! Natalie S. tutors English, ESL, History, Phonics, Reading, and  Test Prep in San Diego, as well as through online lessons. She received her BA in English Education at the University of Delaware, and her MA in English Literature at San Diego State University.  Learn more about Natalie here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  IN 30 MINUTES Guides

What is it Like to Attend St. Marys University

What is it Like to Attend St. Mary's University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Christine is a Houston tutor and 2012 graduate of St. Marys University in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Bachelors degree in Biology and currently specializes inmany subjects including Algebra tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, and Writing tutoring. See what she had to say about her school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Christine: St. Marys entire campus is gated and there are police in cars and on bikes patrolling 24/7. After midnight, all of the gates on campus are closed except one. I have always felt very safe on campus and it is easy to get in contact with the police if you have any safety concerns or need someone to walk with you late at night. Yes, occasionally, there have been cars that do get broken into just like at any parking areas but as long as you do not leave your valuables in sight, your car is unlikely to get broken into. Because the campus is relatively small, a bike is not necessary. On average, it takes about 10-12 minutes to talk from most of the dorms to the classrooms. I would suggest having a car if you need to get off campus often. Another option is riding on the public VIA bus to get off campus. There is a VIA bus stop right by the school. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Christine: This is what I loved about St. Marys University the most. My professors and academic advisers are not only my mentors but also my friends. Because most of the classes have about 20-30 students, professors quickly learn each students name. It is easy to meet with professors before or after class and they respond to emails fast. I could also easily meet with them in their office even outside their office hours. You even find students having lunch with their professors around campus. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Christine: St. Marys recently decided to accept more students than they could house. Within the past few years, many students find themselves having 2 roommates instead of the traditional 1 roommate in a bedroom. The school has already started making plans to build more dorm buildings. St. Marys recently changed the dining option to where students buy meals instead of having points. The school also just added Chick-fil-A and Starbucks on campus. I would consider the location of St. Marys to be in a rough area but as I had mentioned, the school is gated and I have never felt unsafe on campus. University Programming Council (UPC) and Student Council do an excellent job with planning school events to ensure that students feel very welcomed and are actively involved in campus life. It is very easy to join several organizations and to make new friends. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Christine: There is a large number of Biology majors and Business majors. I was a Biology major and pre-medical student. St. Marys University does an outstanding job supporting Biology majors. All the Biology professors and advisors make sure that the students are on track and assist the students with finding research jobs and applying for professional schools. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Christine: I found it very easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman. Most of the students, professors, and faculty are friendly and easy to talk to. While walking to and from classes, students and professors wave and say hi to each other. It is common to see familiar faces when you walk around campus. The warm friendly environment is just part of the Marianist spirit of the school. Yes, Greek life does play a role in the campus social life but I chose not to join a sorority and found myself just as involved with campus life and had just the same amount of friends and fun as sorority girls did. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Christine: Because I was a Biology major and pre-med student, I did not find myself using the Career Center often because the chair of the Biology department did a superb job of notifying students when and where there were research and clinical opportunities. Throughout the school year, there are a few job fairs and events where companies recruit on campus. The Civic Engagement service does a great job of keeping records of your volunteer work and hours. The only time I went to the Career Center was when I needed help with my resume to apply for a medical school program and for a mock interview. The individuals that work there are very helpful. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Christine: I believe it was a good idea for St. Marys to recently remodel the lower floor of the main library to have more group tables and group study rooms. The lower level allows students to talk and use white boards. The second floor has most of the computers and allows students to talk. The top floor is the silent floor. The library does get crowded during finals week, just like most colleges and universities, but most of the time, it was easy for me to find a place to study in the library. Most dorm lounges are good study areas. I would also suggest studying at the Law Schools library, where it is completely silent, if you cannot find any other place to study. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Christine: There is not as much to do in San Antonio as compared to the activities in Dallas or Houston. Of course, no student attends St. Marys University for four years without visiting the Alamo and the Riverwalk in downtown at least twice. The La Cantera and Northstar malls are good shopping locations. You will find many delicious Mexican restaurants all over the city. There are a few fun clubs and bars such Cowboys, Wild West, Howl at the Moon, Fox and Hound, and Posh. Most students go to the downtown area or drive at least 15 minutes to go have fun off campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Christine: St. Marys University has a small student body with a total of about 2,460 undergraduate students and a 13:1 student to teacher ratio. I graduated from high school with a class of about 270 students and felt very comfortable at St. Marys. I personally prefer small class sizes where I know almost everyone in the class and can maintain a close relationship with my professors. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Christine: My most memorable experience was being in Dr. Manchesters General Biology class. He has a genuine passion to teach and is extremely knowledgeable. He cares for each of his students and their career goals. Dr. Manchester would teach using a wooden stick that he chopped off a tree outside of the Biology building and he made up funny stories for his students to remember many Biology concepts. His class was by far the hardest class I had ever taken but it was worthwhile because I learned to perfect my study skills in his class. Check out Christines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors

Act Practice Test Can Be Easy If You Have TutorPace Beside You

Act Practice Test Can Be Easy If You Have TutorPace Beside You College is one of the most awaited places for many students. Each one craves to reach there and wants to enjoy the freedom and independence that is found there. After the disciplined life of school, it becomes very refreshing to live a college life. Every student wants to attend a good college that will not only provide them with good vision but will also help the vision to get turn into reality. This is only possible when you have got your admission at a reputed and a good college that has good prospects and also good teaching staffs. But thinking of getting admission and reality of getting admission is very different from the other. Getting admission in a good college is very tough but it is very important as well for a better future for any student. Al the reputed colleges have opened up a new way of admitting the students in their colleges and that is through an entrance test. The entrance test is called ACT exam. This is the ticket through which you can be enrolled in any of the good and reputed colleges and universities of most of the nations. As we all need to avail any good college or university for our better future so this exam becomes much more important and it is natural that cracking it will land up a student towards a bright future. ACT and its whereabouts ACT is considered as one of the tough exam through which a student can get admission at a good college of university of the nation. The exam consists of four subjects that are English, social science, mathematics and science. Each exam has to be qualified by the candidate and then only one can get admission in any of the reputed colleges of the town. It is tough to crack al the exams and the entire subject with good percentage. For this you need the help and guidance of a good and eligible teacher who have passed such an exam and can handle the kind of pressure that arrives in. Private teachers are available but there are various students who are unable to take up private tuitions as of many difficulties that they face. The transportation expenses are also high and this makes many students to step back and think of learning and studying at home. When you are thinking about something then you can come and get a try with online tutoring facilities. Today with the advent of technologies various types of inventions have helped us lessen our pressure and work load from our life. Internet is also one such way out. It helps the young generation in various ways and also lands them into various types of information and necessary details that they want. What online tutoring is all about? Online tutoring may seem a new way to learn and teach, but with passage of time this type of learning process is gaining a lot of fan following for itself. The online tutoring process can be said as a way of great stress buster for many students. Many students come up with various problems and this can only be solved with the help of online teachers being beside you. The teachers can carry of various types of subjects with same efficiency and with same approach. The teachers present in such type of online tutoring institutes are very much qualified with a subject and knows how to handle the subject with ease. It is very necessary that one should know the subject properly if they want to teach their students with full proficiency. Online teachers have to go through tremendous tough interview and then only they are appointed. The teachers are known to teach the students well and thus for this they sketch a structured plan and they work over this with ease. The weak areas of the students are detected and then the process of teaching gets started up. This helps the weak students also to rise up and get comfortable with the teacher. The other benefit of online teachers is that each individual student is attended by each individual teacher. This increases the confidence level of students largely and this helps the students to open up with their problems to the teachers and solve them immediately. I have said the word immediately because online tutoring has another major facility and that is the teachers are available all round the clock and also throughout the year. They do not have any holiday and so whenever a student encounters any problem or doubt in any subject they can clear it at that moment from the teacher. Every child in the present timing can easily come up with the knowledge of how to handle internet and how to use it with efficiency. So enrolling oneself in such an institute does not seem to be a great cause of concern as they can for once check the entire process of online tutoring and know what are the basic facts of it and how much is it useful. TutorPace, one of the well known online tutoring institutes In the midst of various online institutes it is very essential that being a responsible parent you should go for such an institute who will guide you, support you and also help you with the subjects that seem to be a nightmare to you. Just for example you can go through the site of TutorPace. It is one of the reputed site that helps in providing you all the above facilities that has been talked about. It has good teachers, throughout the clock service, less charges of any service; individual teachers attend single students and as the entire process of online tutoring are conducted via online chats, tele conferencing, video conferencing, audio medium and so on. This helps in saving time and energy of any student along with also saving god bucks that is generally used as transportation expenses for attending any private tutoring. TutorPace will help you attain Act practice test with its efficient teachers and good features.

The Ohio State University College Experience

The Ohio State University College Experience Vignesh earned his bachelors degree in biological sciences/pre-medicine from Ohio State University. He specializes in algebra tutoring, SAT tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below he shares his review of his experience at Ohio State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Vignesh: I went to Ohio State University for my undergraduate schooling. I also attended Wright State University for summer classes in order to transfer credit to Ohio State University. The campus setting was great, as Columbus is such an active and engaging city. The campus had a very urban feel to it, as the best transportation options other than walking were going to places via bus. There was a regular bus schedule with scheduled stops at 15-minute intervals. I felt safe on campus, as campus security is very strong and available in many different buildings. You dont necessarily need a car or bike, but if you want to get to places quickly, having a car or bike will help. I walked to most places my first year, and had a car with me the rest of the years. How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Vignesh: Since this was a very big school, professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants usually taught different sections of a class. They were very available during their office hours. Emailing these faculty members was always helpful for me when needed, and most of them were very nice during their office hours. They were even willing to schedule separate meeting times if our schedules conflicted. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Vignesh: The dorm life was an experience of mixed emotions for me. I loved the new atmosphere, meeting new people, and the location of my dorm, as it was close to restaurants and many buildings as I lived on South Campus. I made lots of good friends in my dorm and studied, hung out, and played a lot of basketball with them since we were very close to a gym. The downside of living in a dorm is the loudness of the students there, including some crazy weekends with social activities and quiet hours. It was very tough to get adjusted to some aspects of dorm life, but it was a very interesting experience for me. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Vignesh: The sciences and mathematics are strong at Ohio State University. I studied biological sciences/pre-medicine and minored in business management. The university did a good job of supporting my particular study, as there were clear course guidelines for what classes to take to stay on track for graduation. I met with my academic advisor about once a quarter/semester to help stay on track. Meeting with an academic advisor is a great thing to do and helped me a lot. I would suggest everyone do the same. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Vignesh: It was a bit difficult to make consistent friends as a freshman. Lots of kids from my childhood and high school went to Ohio State University, but lots of these friendships broke apart due to different atmospheres, values, career ambitions, etc. I made plenty of new friends due to the large number of students at the university. Joining clubs, meeting people through dorms and classes, and at the gym were how I made most of my friends. I didnt join any fraternities, but I know it is a good way to make friends. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Vignesh: The Career Center was very helpful from reviews I heard from others. There is a nice learning center called Younkin Success Center to help with students struggling with school or coursework or other aspects of life. There are career fairs held regularly on campus. I was a pre-medical major, so there was a pre-medical club, and physicians and medical professionals that would come to campus and give talks or answer questions on a regular basis. How are the various study areas, such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Vignesh: There are a few libraries on campus. They are very available and have multiple floors, which are great due to the large number of students on campus. It does get hectic during midterm or final exam week. Those weeks I usually study in my dorm or apartment. The noise level is pretty well controlled in these areas due to good enforcement and following of rules. Describe the surrounding town. Vignesh: The city of Columbus is great. It is such a big city with so much to do with restaurants, venues, stores, gyms, football and basketball stadiums, and plenty to do on weekends or during free time. This made the environment very fun. It is important not to get too distracted from all there is to do there. The students go to the downtown area a decent amount during less stressful weekends. Going to football games at Ohio State University is the most popular thing to do on campus for social life. I got season tickets all four years at Ohio State University and loved going to the games. There is a lot to do in Columbus. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Vignesh: The student body is huge, as Ohio State University is ranked as the 2nd or 3rd biggest school in the country. Some of my classes had 200 to 300 students in the lecture hall, which had two floors to accommodate the number of students. The only disadvantage of this was that there wasnt much of a community feel to classes and interaction with teachers during class. The advantage of this is that it really teaches you independence and how to survive in real world settings. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Vignesh: I have some memorable moments with professors and classes. I took plenty of difficult classes in the sciences, but one class I enjoyed most was one I took my senior year. I took a two-course sequence in physiology, and I really enjoyed learning about the body, functions, and so much more in depth. We covered cellular reactions, homeostasis, action potentials, organ systems (heart, lungs, kidneys, respiratory, etc.) in great detail and I really enjoyed the class. This was my favorite science/major class. My favorite class in all of my undergraduate career was a sports and society class that I also took my senior year. This class required us to see how sports related to society, and the significance of sports in daily life and to cultures. We read a few books on how sports has impacted our world and had to do a final project picking a sports movie and writing about how it affected us, our view of society, and how it has shaped our understanding of sports in culture. I chose Coach Carter, an inspirational true story basketball movie talking about the importance of academics and balancing academics and basketball. I had a lot of experiences that I loved and some that I regretted, but these were the few that stick out to me the most. Check out Vigneshs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Stop Colleagues From Taking Credit for Your Great Ideas - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Stop Colleagues From Taking Credit for Your Great Ideas - Introvert Whisperer How to Stop Colleagues From Taking Credit for Your Great Ideas Self-promotion is a vital activity for everyone, and sometimes it’s harder for Introverts. But just because it can be a challenge, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. No one but you will promote your cause. (Click here to tweet this thought.) There are many things you can do that constitute self-promotion, and one of those is promoting your great ideas. Creative idea generation is as important as your ability to get results and take responsibility for things. The problem you can face is what to do when you discover someone has ripped off your great idea. It’s more than just irritating; it won’t enhance your career if you aren’t acknowledged for an idea whose ownership is given to someone else. Especially if that idea is a seriously good one. Here are some tips for you to consider to help prevent or to deal with this issue: 1. Be Realistic There is some good news, and that is that someone thinks your idea has merit, or they wouldnt have chosen to share it as their own. Being mimicked is a high form of flattery. That said, the downside to this situation is that you dont get credited for the good idea. Your good ideas are part of your self-promotion its how people come to view your potential. Let me just say this to set your expectations you can never completely protect your ideas. But you can do some things to help reduce the likelihood of other people taking credit. 2. Spread the Word When you toss out an idea, toss it out to more than one person. It doesnt have to be at the same time, but the more people hear your idea, the more people will know its yours. That way if someone does try to represent the idea as yours, others will know it came from you. 3. Document It Early When appropriate, document your idea via email. Again, its hard to misrepresent something that’s in black and white and sent to others. 4. Reclaim It This may take some effort, but you can inject a quick ownership soundbite when someone has talked up your idea as their own. You could say something like, I guess you really did like my idea. We should talk about it some more. Its important for you to realize that when someone does this, it usually isnt done with foul intent. We all have tons of information coming at us all the time and dont always remember its origins. I have a couple people very close to me that do this all the time. 5. Know When to Fight (and When Not to) If you do know that someone has done this not only repeatedly, but to undermine you, you need to stop sharing with them if you can. Understand your boss may do this to you (as well as others in your group) and that situation is different. Sometimes, management does represent ideas, work and results as theirs to simplify communication. In some ways, they have to represent everything going on in their group, and it may not be appropriate to detail out every single persons contribution. The main thing is that the boss does recognize your ideas and contributions. You may need to ultimately confront your offender or discuss this issue with your boss for their guidance. Only take these steps if the tips outlined above have failed to stop a “repeat offender.” Have you ever suffered idea theft? How did you handle the situation? Share your stories in the comments! Image: Flickr Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today! Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

How to Use English Adverbs of Place

How to Use English Adverbs of Place I was asked a very good question on our English level exam.  The student  wanted to know why there was no preposition between not and home in the sentence, Last week she was not home.Many English language learners make this mistake. They say, I go TO home at 3. This is incorrect. We say, I go home at 3. No preposition! Why? Watch the short grammar video:Click here to try our quiz!And here is a listening exercise just to be sure you fully understand!

Top Tips on How to choose a tutor

Top Tips on How to choose a tutor For a parent or guardian, choosing a tutor can seem like a daunting task. This is someone who will potentially spend a lot of time with your child. If they get on well, the tutor is likely to have a great deal of influence over how your child sees their own education and the world. Firstly, before looking for a tutor, remember to discuss this with your child as this could be a sensitive issue for them. Parents then find tutors in many ways. There are a growing number of agencies throughout the country, some people use personal ads and a great number rely on personal recommendations. Tutorfair is the first website that allows you to actually book online, and since it funds charity work which addresses educational disadvantage, I would definitely suggest that you have a look there first. Before choosing a tutor it is often a good idea to meet at least a couple of other tutors first. Each will have a different style and the most important thing is to see who seems to fit best with their potential student, your child in this case. It can be tempting to base your decision on who you like the most, or indeed, the tutor that seems to have a tutoring style that you would have liked when you were a child. However, it is not you that has to work with them. It is therefore very important to listen to your child, see who they like and who they feel they could learn best from. If your child likes the tutor then half the job is done already as they will often start to work harder just to impress their new mentor. If your child doesn’t like anyone this can make the choice a little harder, and it may not be a problem with the tutors, more that the student has a problem with tutoring altogether. I’ve heard some parents actually ask their kids ‘ok, you’re going to have to work with one of them so who do you hate the least?’ This is not to say that you shouldn’t also trust your own gut instinct, just remember that it’s the student who will work with them. During your decision making process there are some key questions that I think are really worth asking your potential new tutor. If asked early on you could save a great deal of time later. Here are a few: • What kind of learner are you? Were you more visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, or did you learn by rote? • How would you deal with a student who doesn’t feel like doing any work that day? • Have you had any very difficult students and how have you dealt with them? This might all sound like an interview, and in some ways it is. I would advise against giving the potential tutor a hard time in this meeting but do voice your questions or concerns. Part of a tutor’s job can be to act as a go-between for the parents and kids regarding academics. However, I would be wary of any tutor who cannot explain what their working method is. Most of my work is gut feeling nowadays but I do have a set of approaches that I like to try first. If they can’t explain this to you in an initial meeting then I’d be concerned about their ability to explain anything challenging to a child who is really stuck. Something else to look out for is how qualified your new tutor is. Many tutoring agencies stipulate that a tutor should have qualifications that are at least one level above the ones they teach. For example, a GCSE Geography tutor should have an A-level in that subject, and some even stipulate that they should have a degree. This makes a lot of sense, however, it should also be pointed out that just because someone has a degree (or even a PhD) in a subject, doesn’t necessarily mean they can teach it. Some of the most inspiring tutors I’ve ever met have been those who struggled themselves at school. Most of the maths teachers I had in school had never really struggled with maths. However, it is clear to me now that this potentially made it more difficult for them to really empathise with a student who didn’t ‘get it’. I only started to understand maths later on, which in some ways has meant I find myself being more patient with students who do struggle, simply because I’ve been through the same struggle myself. Aside from being good teachers, the most successful tutors are those who are half way between a teacher and a best friend. These tutors inspire their students to want to learn, and often kids like them so much that they will work harder, perhaps in some way, to impress them. This is one of the most powerful tools that tutors have and therefore a great deal of their success will depend on the chemistry they have with their students. I’m not saying that every student should love every tutor they have, but if they really don’t get on then it’s bad news for both the tutor and the student. The tutor risks negative reviews from parents (and these do count in the playground outside school) and students risk wasting valuable time. It’s therefore important to see how a tutor interacts with your child, and although I do recommend leaving them alone to work together, don’t be afraid to ask your kid how they feel after the lesson. They don’t have to be overjoyed but it’s a good idea to see if they feel like they’ve learnt something and that they don’t feel completely overwhelmed and lacking in confidence… Once you have selected your tutor, the next question to ask is how to get the most out of your tutor. To find out my thoughts on this matter, please see my next blog, ‘Parents: How to get the most out of your child’s tutor’ which is coming soon