If you ace your tests and call yourself a ruler of the academic world, maybe tutoring can help you advance further. After all, they say teaching is the best way to learn. And it’s always a help to have a source of extra income. Not only will private tutoring help you earn a bit, but it will also give you substantial experience to include when creating a resume. These are some reasons why students turn to private tutoring in their free time.
If you’re interested in private tutoring but don't know know where to start, you’re at the right place. This blog will cover everything you need to know about tutoring as a student - responsibilities, scope, income, and a step-by-step guide to how to go about it. You’ll also get some extra information on tools and websites that might be helpful if you plan to become an online tutor, any certification necessary, and how to obtain it.
What does a tutor do?
Many kids don't have the confidence and abilities they ought to have developed by then. Parents are aware of this and desperately need qualified tutors to assist their children in making the necessary advancements to get back on track. Similarly, children who are already academically strong but want to improve their grades often require some assistance. Your students will be a diverse group, frequently with a range in age. Tutoring presents a fun challenge in this area.
1. Understand your students’ individual needs
Each student’s capabilities and requirements differ and as a tutor, you will need to customise your tutoring accordingly.
2. Make a teaching plan
You will have to come up with new teaching strategies and methods to keep your students engaged, while also covering your curriculum in time.
3. Stay updated
As a tutor, you should ensure that you are up to date with any changes that might have been made to the curriculum since you last attended school.
4. Keep track of your pupils’ progress
You will be expected to produce progress reports on your students. This will help them as well as their parents get a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses.
5. Ensure payment
You have to make sure that the students’ parents are aware of the tuition fees right from the start and make sure that they follow through on the arrangement.
6. Advertise
Promoting your tuition classes is essential when starting out new as spreading the word is how you will attract more clients.
What can I tutor in?
There are many types of tutoring jobs for students, tutors usually pick between either subject-centric classes or exam-centric classes.
Subjects
You can teach subjects that aren’t your area of specialization. However, you must have a good understanding of the subject you choose to teach. Don’t limit yourself to the usual subjects one finds in school. You can also tutor in a language. This would require you to have a certain level of proficiency in the language chosen as well as the language used a the medium of teaching.
Common options for subjects are:
- Business
- Computers
- English
- Fine arts
- Health
- Home
- Languages
- Law
- Liberal Arts
- Math
- Music and Performing Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
- Sports
Test Prep
There is an increased demand for tuition that is focused on a particular exam. Choosing to conduct exam-centric tutoring will require you to build a curriculum that is tailored to the chosen test. For this, you need to learn about the test, its requirements, curriculum and scoring. We have created a few guides that will tell you the basics of tests commonly opted for.
Test prep tutoring is commonly found for: GRE Exam, SAT, TOEFL, and GMAT.
How much can I earn as a tutor?
Although the job is rewarding in itself, the aim of the majority of students who become tutors is a source of income. The first step to establishing your tutoring price is researching the price of others who provide the same service nearby and then choosing an hourly rate. When setting your tutoring rates, make sure you also factor in the cost of the teaching materials you will need and the cost and time of travelling. Online tutors tend to charge less than others as their expense reduces as well.
Those tutoring higher level students such as A-level instead of the average syllabus can set higher rates for their tuition. The average price charged for tutoring in the US is $50 per hour. Meanwhile, private tutors in the UK usually charge between £20 – £30 per hour.
Why should I become a tutor?
Not only is tuition a booming business and genuine source of income and experience but it is also quite rewarding in itself. Since it doesn’t require a teaching qualification and only demands that you have sufficient knowledge of your subject, patience and a passion for teaching and learning, tutoring is a common choice for students. This profession is engaging, interactive, and diverse. You have the freedom to choose your own clients, hours, and rates.
What are the steps to becoming a tutor?
Step 1: Get your high school degree
The basic qualification needed to become a tutor is a high school degree. Now, if you don’t have one, you can instead get a General Educational Degree (GED), which is a test designed for those without a high school diploma, to certify their knowledge, skills and abilities.
Step 2: Complete Tutoring Training
There are several ways to become a tutor. Tutoring certification programmes are adequate for people with a bachelor's or graduate degree in a subject with high demand, such as science, math, or English (See Step 4). The next step for those who want to work in the classroom is formal education training. Aside from associate degrees in teacher's aide or teacher preparation, these options also include teacher aide certificates. Some tutoring businesses might also demand that any tutors they hire complete additional training in their approaches.
Step 3: Join a Tutoring Association
Current and prospective tutors can benefit greatly from joining tutoring associations, which offer mentorship opportunities, industry newsletters, annual conferences, networking opportunities, and tutoring certifications. The National Tutoring Association and The College Reading and Learning Association are a few organisations that prospective tutors can join.
Step 4: Earn Your Tutoring Certificate
Certain employers might demand certification. Formal tutoring certifications boost professional credibility while offering advanced training in vital tutoring strategies and techniques. The National Tutoring Association, and other certifying bodies offer basic and advanced certifications that candidates can pursue.
Additionally, if you plan on tutoring for a language, it’s always helpful to have a language proficiency certificate of an advanced level.
Step 5: Get Licensed
Tutors working in school settings are frequently required by state boards of education to be licenced. Private tutors may set their own rates and advertise their services.
Because these professionals are not regulated or licenced, private tutors are not required to complete any additional training requirements in addition to their chosen credential.
Which tutor certification is best?
Certification Sources
1. Tutoring Facilities and Providers
Various tutoring associations offer candidates tutoring preparation programs, focused on a specific subject or test, such as History or GMAT. Students gain knowledge of teaching strategies, one-on-one tutoring techniques, and student assessment methods.
2. Community College
Since tutoring programmes aren’t offered by community colleges, students can instead enroll in education programmes or get academic certificates for the same. Early childhood education and teacher preparation programmes last two years and teach the fundamentals of working with students.
3. 4-Year Schools
Since there are no official graduate and undergraduate degrees for tutoring, students can instead get degrees in the field of education as it provides students with a solid foundation in classroom management, teaching pedagogy and instructional techniques.
Certification and Tutoring Programs
1. Certificate in Tutoring
Professionals with bachelor's or master's degrees can specialise and receive short-term training through certificate programmes. Graduate certificates in tutoring are not offered by colleges or universities, but some official tutoring companies, like Pearson or Sylvan, offer internal programmes. Keep in mind that academic graduate certificates are different from the previously listed professional certifications.
2. Teacher Aide Certificate
The majority of teacher aide/assistant certificates are one-year, career-focused training programmes created for entry-level employment in K–12 institutions and early learning centres. These programmes instruct participants in managing and organising a classroom, interacting with students, their families, and administrators, and working with a diverse learner population. Students also learn how to give tests, set up lesson plans, assist students with assignments, and use educational technology.
3. Associate of Arts in Teacher Education
For paraprofessionals who support licenced teachers in K–12 settings, a two-year programme of study leading to an Associate of Arts (AA) in teacher education is available. Grading papers, planning learning activities for small groups, and managing the classroom are just a few of the tasks that are assigned.
Associate degree programmes prepare students to enter the workforce as entry-level assistants and tutors or to continue their education in four-year programmes.
4. Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Education professionals who wish to work with young children through the third grade should consider earning an Associate of Arts (AA) in early childhood education.
The requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential are typically met by the courses. Graduates have the option of continuing on to bachelor's degree programmes, finding employment as early childhood assistant teachers, teachers, or tutors, or advancing in their current fields of employment.
5. Bachelor’s Degree in Education
Elementary and secondary education, which includes middle and high school, are both eligible for bachelor's degrees in education. These four-year courses prepare students to obtain state certification and teaching licences.
Students research the most recent pedagogies, instructional approaches, and methods for managing the classroom. Additionally, students complete a teaching practicum in which they apply what they have learned in actual classroom settings.
What tools or websites do tutors commonly use?
If you’re wondering how to become an online tutor, these websites and tools will give you a headstart and make your online tutoring experience smooth.
Websites
1. Superprof
Superprof is one of the largest tutoring websites in the UK. All you have to do is sign up and post your tutoring ad for rates of your own. You can accept or decline tutoring requests and then directly contact students to arrange a meeting or begin online tutoring. Although posting an ad is free, Superprof charges a 10% commission on every lesson booked through their platform. Check out their official website here!
2. First Tutors
It is a free service that lets you offer tutoring sessions face-to-face or online and set your own fees. All you need to do is provide two references and some information for an ID check. When a tutee requests your services, you'll receive an email, and you'll need to log in to the member's area to respond. Make sure you do because ignoring requests will result in the suspension of your profile. Anyone can sign up, so no prior experience or qualifications are required. Click here to join now!
3. MyTutor
This UK service allows you to earn upto £20 per hour (after service fees and VAT) with the freedom to work on your own hours. To sign up, you must fill out an application form and schedule a video interview with the MyTutor team. You'll also get £10 for every new user you bring to the site. Click here to know more!
Tools
1. Online Communication
- Virtual Classrooms
- Google Hangouts
- Skype
2. Online Tutoring Platforms:
3. Online File Sharing
- Google Docs
- OneDrive
- Dropbox
4. Computers and Software
- Laptop Computers
- Desktop Computers
- Microsoft Office
Which skills do I need to become a tutor?
1. Subject-specific knowledge
Being a master of the subject you will be tutoring in is the absolute basic requirement when it comes to tutoring. Not only this but constantly revising your
2. Great communication skills + Listening skills
Tutors should be good listeners. This includes taking into account students' thoughts and ideas, particularly when they relate to individual learning.
3. Good knowledge of revision and exam techniques
It is critical to conduct research on the most recent revision techniques. Regardless of whether a particular revision technique works for you, your student may react differently because they are not the same type of learner as you.
4. Time management
You'll need to learn how to balance all of your clients' tutoring classes with your university studies, as well as remember to plan ahead of time for each session. Being organised is a must. If you turn up unprepared, you'll get a bad reputation and won't have much success.
5. Patience
Students may struggle with specific concepts regardless of how they are taught. Tutors must be patient and adjust learning materials to meet the learning speeds and needs of their students. This is one of the most important qualities to look for in a tutor. If someone has hired a tutor for themselves or their children, it is most likely because they are struggling with a specific subject. Keeping this in mind, don't expect them to become an expert overnight. Maintain your cool, let them learn at their own pace, and stay positive.
6. Adaptability
Tutors should be good listeners. This includes taking into account students' thoughts and ideas, particularly when they pertain to individual learning.
7. Positivity
Tutors must encourage and support students throughout the instructional process. A positive attitude can also help students pay attention and behave better.
8. Creativity
No two people learn alike. Tutors should recognize learning styles and differentiate instruction in ways that make learning accessible and fun.
What qualifications do you need to become a tutor?
A PGCE qualification may be required to become a teacher in UK schools, but no specific qualifications are required to become a tutor. A degree is useful because it demonstrates authority in the subject and may help you find work, but it is not required. If you don't have a degree, previous teaching or coaching experience, as well as high GCSE and A Level grades, will serve you well. Even babysitting experience will be beneficial because it will demonstrate that you are good with children.
It’s a good idea to get a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if you have students under 18 from the UK as their parents might ask to see it. Even if they don't, presenting them with your DBS check will earn you major professionalism points. A check costs £18 and can be obtained by applying on the government's website.
Tips on how to become a tutor as a student
Here are some tips for being a tutor as a student:
1. Write a strong CV
2. Decide what skill level you're aiming for
3. Put a pitch together
4. Start advertising
5. Set up your tutoring sessions
6. While tutoring, make sure not to neglect your own exams.
Hopefully, this guide has answered all of your burning tuition questions and provided you with all of the information you need to get started and succeed! Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any additional inquiries about how to become a tutor as a student.
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