Do I Need a Tutor? All your questions answered

As exam season approaches, parents and teenage students often feel a surge of panic, worrying about whether they'll get the results they need for the next stage of life––be that college, university, apprenticeships, or their first job.

This can be a stressful time, often leading to disagreements over how much work the student should be doing, especially if their attitude and learning style is completely different to yours.

The pressure of these situations frequently prompts parents to consider seeking some extra support from a tutor. However, with so many options––websites, tutors, courses and differing opinions––it can quickly become overwhelming.

To help ease this decision-making process, here are answers to common questions about tutoring to guide you in making the best choice for your teenager.

What are the benefits of tutoring?

Hiring a tutor to support your teenager in preparing for their exams offers numerous benefits, including:

• Increased confidence

• Personalised lessons and feedback

• Identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge

• Providing a sounding board for questions, ideas and concerns

• Flexibility to fit your teenager's schedule and needs

Now, let’s explore some common questions people often consider when thinking about tutoring.

Which is better: A Group class or 1:1 sessions?

Class size can significantly impact a student's results. While some students thrive in a group environment, others prefer the focused attention of 1:1 sessions. This often depends on factors such as whether your teenager is an introvert or extrovert, or, like me, an ambivert! For teenagers with learning challenges or those who are neurodiverse, larger groups can sometimes feel overwhelming.

In my experience working with various group sizes, smaller groups or 1:1 sessions tend to be the most effective. These settings allow for more personalised attention and tailored support for each student.

Currently, I only offer 1:1 tutoring sessions to ensure that students receive 100% focused attention.

Are Face-to-face classes better than online classes?

Both online and face-to-face tutoring methods have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on what your teenager feels most comfortable with. I've used both and find that they can be equally effective, with no negative impact on the overall results.

Online Tutoring

The benefits of online classes include:

• Convenience and flexibility

• Lower costs (no travel expenses)

• Time efficiency (no need to travel)

• Access to a wider range of tutors

For teenagers who are introverted, shy or anxious about meeting new people, online classes can be an excellent option. They allow students to learn in a familiar and comfortable environment which can help reduce stress.

In my online sessions, I use tools like screen sharing, digital resources, and online whiteboards to ensure the learning experience remains engaging and interactive.

However, online classes may not be ideal for students who are more hands-on learners or those who get easily distracted. Additionally, as we all know, technology can sometimes be unreliable, leading to disruptions or even cancellations.

Face-to-face classes

On the other hand, some students prefer face-to-face learning. This option can still provide convenience and flexibility, as many tutors are willing to visit your home or meet at a convenient location. Most of my face-to-face sessions take place at the students' homes.

The benefits of face-to-face classes include:

• More interactive learning experience

• Better communciation for some students

• Fewer online distractions

• Easier integration of physical and digital resources

With face-to-face learning, you also don’t have to worry about any technology issues disrupting the session.

However, if you live in a remote area, you may have fewer tutors to choose from. In such cases, arranging for a tutor to visit your home might be more challenging, meaning you will have to travel.

Do I Really Need a Tutor?

Again, it really depends on the learning style of the student. There are so many awesome online resources online such as Save My Exams, Tutor2U, and numerous video tutorials on YouTube. These platforms offer guided exercises and exam-style question walkthroughs.

While these resources are helpful, they don’t provide the personalised attention and focus that tutoring offers. Having a tutor can also take the strain off you, especially if your child is home-educated. You may not have the time or energy to dedicate, and your child may have little to no interest in having you as a teacher, which can lead to friction at home.

Teenagers often perceive parents as nagging, which can make it harder to follow a revision schedule or complete their work. This can lead to frustration for both the parent and child, resulting in instances of resistance or procrastination.

Many parents I've worked with have shared that having a tutor helped their child stay focused and introduced a sense of accountability.

How much does tutoring cost?

Tutoring costs can range widely, from free options to around £100 per session for specialised subjects. Some tutors may charge more for face-to-face sessions compared to online ones.

For subjects like English and Maths, you can often find undergraduate students offering low-cost sessions to supplement their living expenses. There is a tutor out there to meet all budgets and requirements.

Several factors influence the cost of tutoring, including:

• Experience: More experienced tutors often charge higher rates.

• Results: Tutors with a proven track record of success may charge more.

• Subject: Specialised subjects, such as science and applied maths, are typically more expensive

• Class size: One-to-one sessions usually work out more costly than group classes.

  
  

When evaluating these costs, it's important to focus on what support your child needs. Understanding their specific requirements will help you determine the best valur for your investment.

What To Look For In A Tutor?

Ideally, the tutor should have experience in the subject and testimonials from parents or students. You can view my testimonials here. All tutors should also be DBS-checked, and most tutoring websites and agencies verify this before allowing tutors to list their services.

In addition to qualifications, successful tutoring is all about building a rapport between the student, tutor, and parents. If the student feels comfortable spending time with the tutor, it lays a solid foundation for success. For me, this part is absolutely crucial to fostering engagement and structuring lessons in a way that works for the student.

When To Get Started?

The sooner, the better in most cases. Starting early allows sufficient time to address challenges, fill gaps in knowledge, and build confidence in the subject. Many people often reach out to me in the lead-up to exams, and this often leaves limited time to work.

However, that isn’t to say last-minute sessions aren’t effective. Many students I have worked with have acheived good grades thanks to the added clarity and feedback they have received in a few sessions before their exams.

Final Thoughts

Finding what works best for your child involves some trial and error. My main advice is to lean into their strengths and let them guide the process. Everyone learns differently, and their approach may seem ineffective because it differs from how you learn.

The success of tutoring often depends on the student and tutor building a good rapport. If you decide that a tutor would be helpful, involve your child in the decision-making process. Ask them what support they need and review tutor profiles together––it can really help you in find the right tutor for them!

If you'd like to explore how tutoring can support your child, contact me today to talk about the next steps.