There are as many approaches to online tutoring as there are online tutors
It’s important to work with the right tutor for yourself or your child.
Should the tutor be:
- No- nonsense, blunt- talking and results driven? Getting through a syllabus and exam-driven approach
- Warm, encouraging , supportive , gentle even ? Inspiring a love of the subject at the same time?
- Offer a variety of lessons where you can mix and match the kind of lessons you have : 1:1, group lessons and classes?
You know the kind of tutor that’ll be the best fit and the great thing about Star Student is that you can see exactly what the tutor is like to work with
It’s important to spend some time watching the tutors’ videos, looking at their Facebook page, their Linkedin profile, their Instagram account – get a feel for them.
Narrow it down to a few tutors – what next ?
The beauty of Star Student is that you make contact with the tutor directly, no third party involved and no payments for tutor details.
You can send one email to ask, ‘Can we talk about working together?’ and the process is up and running.
What questions should you ask the prospective tutor ?
The great news is that the process is cut short because you already know so much about them.
You’ve already ‘met’ them
That’s the beauty of Star Student
Questions of old, ‘How long have you been tutoring?’ What do you charge? have already been answered.
Let’s ask some Star Student Tutors what they like to be asked at this stage:
‘How would you describe your approach to teaching ?’ is a great opener for me. A question about the way I work and the type of activities I offer shows exactly how the lessons will look.
‘How do you make maths interesting ?’ opens up the conversation and lets the potential student see how the tutor is expert in their subject and how they see the importance of it in the world- it shows the subject in a different light.
Madison Shea
‘What can realistically be achieved in one hour per week?’ makes parents aware of time scales and manages their expectations. Melissa Kerruish
‘What times do you still have left?’ lots parents think you can fit round them, but of course a good tutor is busy so it’s really always the other way round agree Claire Noyce and Eimear Murton
But again this is a question that Star Student has headed off with tutors posting their availability – avoiding this question and time wasting on everyone’s behalf.
But the best question of all, most Star Student tutors agree is, ‘When can we start?’