It is no secret that Singapore has one of the most challenging education systems across the globe – it does not help either that Singapore is well-known as one of the world’s most competitive countries, placing fifth in the Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Ranking in 2021. Most students’ timetables now include tuition, with parents expecting that these extra classes would assist their child in excelling academically.
Some parents may find searching for an excellent Singapore private tutor for their child to be daunting, particularly with the plethora of available options on the market. How would one know whether a tutor is capable of teaching their child? Or does their child even need one in the first place?
To assist you in making an informed decision, we have compiled a list of questions to ask yourself when choosing a suitable tutor for your child.
Question 1: What are my child’s academic strengths and weaknesses?
Before you begin your search for the ideal tutor, you would need to take the time to understand precisely what you and your child require from a tutor. Every child is different, with their own strengths, shortcomings, idiosyncrasies, and problematic areas of their education. Thus, it is crucial to know what they are ahead of time.
If you are searching for a tutor for your child, the easiest solution to figure out what they need is to simply ask them. You may hold a casual conversation regarding which subjects they enjoy and which they need extra help with in order to achieve their full potential. This will allow you to assess their attitude toward the notion of private home tuition, as well as their degree of confidence and interest in the subjects they are learning.
Question 2: Can the tutor adapt to my child’s learning strategy?
Whether your child is an introvert or extrovert, different learning strategies may apply to them; the simple truth is that education seems to be a highly individualistic experience. Hence, a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work when selecting a suitable tutor.
A tutor who is ideal for others may not be suitable for your child purely because they do not begin by analysing your child’s learning strategy and aligning their work accordingly. Therefore, it is essential to find out their thoughts on learning strategies and if they have a technique for evaluating your child for it – primarily because your child may rapidly tire of attempting to employ a strategy that is incompatible with their own.
Question 3: Does my budget and tutor’s availability suit my child’s needs?
The budget and the tutor’s availability are vital in determining whether it fits you and your child’s schedules. As tutors usually establish their own fees, it is ultimately your choice to decide how much you want to pay for tuition. As you do so, it would also be best to inquire about their availability to see how you can work this into your calendar. Additionally, a tutor’s age should be something you can consider. Are you seeking an elderly tutor with decades of experience as a MOE-trained teacher? Or would you prefer a younger, less experienced tutor whom you believe will better connect with your child? Whichever your decision, it is worthwhile to consider what is most important to you before beginning to embark on your search for the ideal tutor.
Question 4: What qualifications and experience am I looking for in a tutor?
Following up on the previous question, it is also critical that you assess your tutor’s expertise and qualifications before beginning to work with them. Depending on the subjects and educational level, your requirements are likely to differ significantly. Hence, it would be good to make sure that you learn about your tutor’s past relevant experience and credentials beforehand. This can be in the form of the school they went to and what they majored in. It would also be best to ask them about the subjects that they are most competent and comfortable with.
That said, it is essential to understand that experience and certifications are not necessarily indicative of a great tutor – there are a variety of other factors to consider when deciding on the best tutor for your child.
Question 5: Does my child prefer online or in-person tutoring sessions?
Both online and in-person tutoring come equipped with their benefits – what you ultimately settle for will be based on a myriad of things, including the budget and location. There is no surprise that there is a difference in price between online and in-person sessions, with home tuition rates being typically higher on average.
Apart from the online and private home tuition rates, factors such as location and convenience matter as well. Is your child often exhausted from school? If the answer is yes, then both in-person and online sessions would work best. However, if they get distracted easily by technology, private home tuition sessions are the best option to pick.
Conclusion
An excellent and highly effective tutor can make a significant difference in a student’s academic progress and overall achievement. If you seek to discover the appropriate tutor for your child, these 5 questions might serve as a valuable guide for you to be one step closer to finding the one. But if you find yourself contemplating still, then fret not!
At Tuition Family Singapore, we provide online and 1 to 1 home tuition in Singapore for students looking to achieve higher grades in any and every subject. With a diverse range of tutors teaching various subjects across all levels while catering to an islandwide location, all you have to do is fill out a tutor request form based on your requirements and budget – we will take care of the rest.
