Most Common Mistakes New Tutors Need to Avoid
The role of a tutor is quite important in a student’s life. The new tutors are often bound to make common mistakes. So, make an effort to learn how to be a good tutor.
Students today can consolidate knowledge of content in face-to-face tutorial sessions where there are opportunities for active learning. This is a much more focused style of teaching and learning and there is continuity of learning. The key purpose of this approach is to provide an authentic experience for students with a context that encourages them to think.
Today, we are going to reveal some of the common mistakes that even a professional tutor can commit. We will also provide solutions so that you can learn how to be an effective tutor. Read Also – How to Cite Sources in Harvard Citation Format
Let’s start with some of the most common mistakes tutors make.
1. Acting Like a School Teacher
School is not always the best place to learn. Factors like the student-teacher ratio and limited time prevent students from grasping core concepts. If you act like a school teacher, your student is most likely to lose interest and say, “my teacher doesn’t teach anything!”
Solution
You are a one-to-one tutor to your student. Your whole attention should be dedicated to analyzing the needs of your student. Find out where your student is not so bright and focus on those areas. Your job is to make sure your student grasps every concept they are unable to understand in school.
Instead of blindly following the curriculum, try the personalized teaching approach. That’s a great way to make way for successful tutoring. Your student will also learn better and improve his or her results.
2. Being Too Friendly
The relationship between tutor and student is a bit tricky. Most new tutors end up being too friendly as they want to form a good relationship with the student. However, over-friendliness may take away the seriousness that you need to teach effectively.
Solution
Set the ground rules and ensure your student follows them. You can be friendly, but not so much that it takes a toll on your student’s performance. Your student should understand you’re here to teach and not become their friends.
Focus on your topic and prevent the student from digressing. Being compassionate is more important than being friendly. Also Read – Why You Should Consider Enrolling in an Online College
3. Taking on Too Much
Most tutors teach multiple students to earn a good income. However, the job of a tutor is quite demanding and full of responsibilities. The countless duties of a tutor sometimes impact teaching quality and reflect on the student’s academic outcomes.
Solution
New tutors should stick to a minimum number of students. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Prepare a plan for each student and dedicate a fixed time per week. Additionally, don’t get carried on doing your student’s projects or homework. You can provide the necessary help but don’t take on the project yourself.
If you do have to write an essay, you can try this company to save time and work.
4. Not Being Flexible
Experienced tutors will tell you to create and stick to a teaching plan for every student. It surely helps to follow a structured lesson plan, but not always. Every student is not the same and learns differently. Following a rigid structure will only lead to bad teaching and poor results.
Solution
Analyze your student before creating your lesson plan. Find out where they stand and what you need to make them reach the target grades. Moreover, be flexible and leave room for refining your plan to your student’s needs. Strike a balance between rigidity and flexibility for the best results.
5. Not Connecting with Parents
Parents are always concerned about their children’s educational outcomes. However, new tutors don’t take the time to communicate and build rapport with parents. As a result, misunderstandings may arise, and parents may lose confidence in the tutor.
Solution
Connect with your parents whenever you can. Talk with them for a few minutes before leaving the house. Update them about their kid’s status and relay any concerns you discover. You can be more professional and maintain a file for each student. Keeping parents in the loop is the best way to earn their trust.
6. Don’t Promise Unrealistic Results
New tutors may get carried away, trying to impress parents. They may also overestimate themselves as they lack experience. Promising the student will get A+ in all subjects is a sure way to land yourself in trouble. The results depend on many factors, and not just on your dedication or teaching skills.
Solution
Focus on your strong points and show you are a subject matter expert. Additionally, analyze the student and find out how far they can go. Parents prefer someone more dedicated than a tutor who makes false promises. Related – Cross Product Calculator – An Efficient Way
Final Thoughts
The common mistakes we discussed will give you an idea of what makes a good tutor. Try to avoid common mistakes and focus on the child’s learning for the best outcomes.
