21st March 2014 9:00
By Blue Tutors
Thousands of fresh graduates decide to move into the tutoring industry each year, some to earn money while they pursue other careers, and others to view it as a way into a teaching career. Becoming a private tutor involves more than posting your profile on a website or an advert in the paper and hoping that your stellar education will be enough to convince parents that you are an expert tutor. These days, as the industry has expanded, parents have come to expect a lot more from the tutors they hire, and it is essential that tutors are well prepared and equipped to enter the world of private tuition. Each tutor offers an individual style and approach, but there are some general rules which should help tutors get started.
Get Prepared: Turning up for a lesson with your first student with no idea about what you are going to do is a big no-no. Equip yourself with the syllabi for each exam board, and collect teaching resources including past papers, websites, lesson plans and exercises.
Advertise: Tutoring is now extremely competitive, so getting your name out there is a challenge. Starting out, many tutors register with tutoring agencies, and build a reputation amongst their base clients. Hopefully, this will lead to other recommendations, and will also add experience to your profile. Websites and web searches are generally more effective than print adverts, although placing a card in your local library or shop is not a bad idea.
Keep it Real: Finally, it is important to be open, honest and friendly when taking on a new client. Do not offer things you cannot make good on, such as guaranteeing a certain grade, or committing to teach 7 days a week. Begin lessons by asking what the student and their parents require and make an honest assessment as to whether you can help.