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What qualities do you seek in a tutor/teacher? (4 Viewers)

SpiralFlex

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Yes. In fact, it should be a physical meeting with their parents after class-time or something (when the child is there as well).
Umm, that would be kind of awkward for the student I'd imagine. I could imagine if that happened to me when I was little in primary school I would probably be in tears and think something was wrong.
 

Ealdoon

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Again, not all students would like that, especially with strict parents. There needs to be some sort of communication line between the student/teacher before passing it onto the parent I would think. Don't wanna sound too pressuriee.
Just make sure if you talk to the student that it's in private. I feel bad for the students when the teacher says "[NAME] I would like to see you after class please!" Even if it's a good thing, it's a bit embarrassing :)
 

SpiralFlex

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Decent lighting, not too crowded, like 12 per class? I'm guessing that you're teaching at home
No, i'm going to be setting up a building/office room once I have enough money. Either that or I would have to seek the library classrooms as a last resort.
 

Ealdoon

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Yes. In fact, it should be a physical meeting with their parents after class-time or something (when the child is there as well).
I think a phone call would be better. That's what teachers at our school do and it does work surprisingly :)
 

SpiralFlex

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Just make sure if you talk to the student that it's in private. I feel bad for the students when the teacher says "[NAME] I would like to see you after class please!" Even if it's a good thing, it's a bit embarrassing :)
I've seen that too many times and they've ended up in tears. This should be done before/after lessons I'd reckon. Or I could subtly offer them extra help without them knowing.
 

RivalryofTroll

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Anyway what are your views in terms of environment guys?

I've always had this notion of no greater than 15 (Obvious reasons) in a class and no less than 10 (Lack of classroom discussion) in a class.
When it comes to class-type tutoring:

I'd say anywhere between 3 to 20 (max) is typical.

Umm, that would be kind of awkward for the student I'd imagine. I could imagine if that happened to me when I was little in primary school I would probably be in tears and think something was wrong.
Really up to you but if there''s something wrong with the student, it should really be addressed.
 

Kurosaki

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I've seen that too many times and they've ended up in tears. This should be done before/after lessons I'd reckon. Or I could subtly offer them extra help without them knowing.
How would you do it without them knowing? Good luck, I'm sure that you'll be a great tutor:)
 

SpiralFlex

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I'd have to disagree that on having <10 and more than 15.

I'd reckon the optimal amount is 14-15.
 
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deswa

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Why have 10 in a class? Is this like an actual tutoring college or something? I would have imagined that you can teach most effectively in a class of 2 or 3 because there they can support each other whilst also being able to get enough individual attention.
 

SpiralFlex

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Why have 10 in a class? Is this like an actual tutoring college or something? I would have imagined that you can teach most effectively in a class of 2 or 3 because there they can support each other whilst also being able to get enough individual attention.
I personally wouldn't like 2-3. It's less engaging that way imo. Unless I'm doing private. Often I find people learn when other's raise their hands.

My teacher taught me if you raise your hand you are helping at least 4 other people.
 

RivalryofTroll

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I actually agree with Deswa, 2 to 3 is a good number.

But I guess it's all personal pref.

The difference between 15 and 20 students isn't too great anyways.

But I guess if it's 20, you can split them into 2 10 people classes.
 

Ealdoon

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I've seen that too many times and they've ended up in tears. This should be done before/after lessons I'd reckon. Or I could subtly offer them extra help without them knowing.
I agree :) And I was just thinking about some good teachers I've had and another thing came to mind! :) You might disagree with me but I think it's good if you call on students regardless of whether they have raised their hand or not. Sure it might embarrass some students if they get the answer wrong but in that situation, teachers I've had usually go to another student and then come back to them and usually they get the answer correct! :) It means that everyone can participate and everyone will listen knowing that the teacher might ask them a question. Our commerce teacher does this and we all listen because we don't want to be in the situation where we are asked a question and we don't know the answer.

Also if a student is getting an answer wrong, don't say that they are on the right track if they aren't. Some teachers do this when the student was not on the right track at all. I say this because the student that had the right answer might think that their answer is wrong so sometimes you do need to say no :)
 

SpiralFlex

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I actually agree with Deswa, 2 to 3 is a good number.

But I guess it's all personal pref.

The difference between 15 and 20 students isn't too great anyways.

But I guess if it's 20, you can split them into 2 10 people classes.
But for me, I found a class of 15-20 quite good. I never would want to be lonely in a classroom. I guess it's personal preference.
 

Focus is Key

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Qualities I look for in a tutor, in no particular order:

Reasonable Prices
Really Good at Explaining Concepts and a Variety of Questions.
Lots of Resources
Good levels of communication and down to earth
Good credentials
Good exam technique especially!!!!

And yes, use humour, but be yourself!!
 

SpiralFlex

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I agree :) And I was just thinking about some good teachers I've had and another thing came to mind! :) You might disagree with me but I think it's good if you call on students regardless of whether they have raised their hand or not. Sure it might embarrass some students if they get the answer wrong but in that situation, teachers I've had usually go to another student and then come back to them and usually they get the answer correct! :) It means that everyone can participate and everyone will listen knowing that the teacher might ask them a question. Our commerce teacher does this and we all listen because we don't want to be in the situation where we are asked a question and we don't know the answer.

Also if a student is getting an answer wrong, don't say that they are on the right track if they aren't. Some teachers do this when the student was not on the right track at all. I say this because the student that had the right answer might think that their answer is wrong so sometimes you do need to say no :)
I've developed a heap of words to say no in different ways. Ie. "Not quite". "What if you consider....", "But isn't this..."
 

Ealdoon

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I personally wouldn't like 2-3. It's less engaging that way imo. Unless I'm doing private. Often I find people learn when other's raise their hands.

My teacher taught me if you raise your hand you are helping at least 4 other people.
Yeah, we are told that if we have a question, ask it because there is a good chance that a few other students are wondering the same thing :)
 

Ealdoon

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I've developed a heap of words to say no in different ways. Ie. "Not quite". "What if you consider....", "But isn't this..."
I would prefer those because if you say "Not quite" then you're kind of saying that they are on the right track. But that's my opinion :)
 

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