What types of tutors have you come across?

This statement made by a handyman (in an interview by CNA) inspired me to write this post.

“I’d say you’re paying me for my experience, not my labour.”

It's quite similar in the tuition industry. What type of tutor you get depends on the "luck" factor sometimes. You can get a cheap tutor, but your child shows no improvement in his understanding. Or you can pay a higher rate for an experience tutor  and see progress in just a few sessions.

For the past 2 weeks, I have been 'interviewing' my students to find out more about their experiences with tutors. Note that these are just opinions formed by my students from their personal experiences.

Type 1: Undergraduates

Characteristics:

• Unreliable - may be late for tuition, or not appear at all (without explanation).
• No lesson preparation done - will ask student "What do you want to learn today?"
• Some dive into solving questions from assessment books and read the answers from the book.
• Irresponsible at times - Almost all will take a break during university exam season.
• Lack of experience - may not know what examiners are looking for. Student still gets the question wrong when answer is given by tutor.
• Content-oriented - focus on giving facts, less on conceptual understanding.
  

Type 2: Part-time graduates

Characteristics:

• More experienced as they are older. Able to facilitate lessons with confidence but may get simple questions wrong at times - 'rusty' or 'out-dated'.
  
• Always busy, will never prepare for lesson. May arrive after work or before meeting friends.
  
• May take a break during exam period to go overseas for holidays - to escape the peak period.
• Less commitment - may miss lesson every now and then.
  
• One even took student's notes and worksheets to photocopy for own reference!
  

Type 3: Full-time graduates

Characteristics:

• Some became tutors as they couldn't find jobs after graduating.
• Some tutors may prepare notes - but notes are just summarised versions of the textbooks.
  
• Many tutors asked to buy multiple assessment books - but always incomplete.
• Tuition session may become a "do assessment books session".
  
• Most can't teach without referring to the textbooks - not familiar with the syllabus at times.
• Most can't give exam tips.

Type 4: Current MOE Teachers

Characteristics:

• Younger school teachers may not know syllabus as well as more experienced teachers.
• Busy and may not turn up during before exam period due to school consultations.
• May have last minute cancellations due to school meetings (which never ends...).
  
• May just use school worksheets prepared for students in school for tuition.
• Very difficult to have make-up sessions as teachers are always busy.

Type 5: Ex-MOE Teachers (Full-time tutor) --> ME!

Characteristics:

100% commitment

• Teaching tuition is my 'rice-bowl' and I chose to teach due to passion.
  
• I do not take breaks during exam season. One lesson missed (especially for revision) may cause detrimental effects to a student's grade. I will always do a make-up session if student can't make it for lesson.
• Most reliable, no last minute cancellations - I plan my daily schedule ahead and will confirm with my student a day before the lesson through whatsapp. I start and end lesson on time as I know students have busy schedules too!

Experienced and up-to-date with the Syllabus

• I know exactly what examiners are looking for and can advise students to modify their writing style to suit the examiner's preference. Be prepared to write down all the exam tips!
• Concept-oriented - I focus mostly on conceptual understanding. With a strong foundation, it will be easier for students to attempt challenging application questions.
• I am up-to-date with the syllabus. I analyse the syllabus, school exam papers and also the O Level papers during my free time.
  

Lesson preparation is done for every lesson.

• I'll let the student know what is my plan for him/her after the first session. After every session, I will inform my student what will be covered for the next session.
  
• NO assessment books - I do not believe in using assessment books. All my worksheets cover the different question types that will come out for the exam. The only book that I require students to purchase is the Ten-Year-Series. I'll also provide older TYS questions for students to attempt too. Teachers in school love to 'recycle' past year questions that are not longer published.
  
• New materials are provided for EVERY lesson. A LOT of lesson preparation is done outside the tuition session.
  
• My notes are specially prepared for individual students. It will complement what they receive from school.
  
• My worksheets are all differentiated. It is impossible to have a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

Ask your child, "How's your tutor like during lessons?"
You will be surprised by their response.