Choosing a Tutoring Service
If your child is falling behind in school, employing a tutoring service can help your child relearn the basics and regain confidence in a certain subject. Tutors often work one-on-one with their students and are able to build lesson plans specifically geared towards maximizing your child’s potential.
1. Research. Ask your child’s teacher for a list of the tutoring services in the area that they can personally recommend, or if they can direct you to the parents of another child who has also been tutored. Inquire if the tutoring center has experience with teaching children of the same age with similar struggles or learning disabilities. For tutoring centers that you find on your own through online research, ask if it is possible to obtain referrals or contact information of a previous student’s parents.
2. Conduct Interviews. Once a list of reputable tutoring services has been made and you’ve talked with a few referrals, begin the first phase of the interview process (the first phase for discussing matters your child does not need to be present for; the second phase being the interview sessions your child will participate in). Ask the administrator about their tutors’ credentials and what level of education is needed in order for a tutor to be qualified to teach a certain subject. Inquire about how their staff will address a student’s lack of focus or interest in a subject, their motivation tactics, or how they will intervene should disciplinary action become necessary. Feel free to ask questions involving the safety of your child, such as: Are background checks run on all applicants? Is there a monitoring system in place for one-on-one tutoring?
3. Interview Potential Tutors with your Child. Once you’ve chosen a small sample of the best tutors for your child, have another interview session, but involve your child. Making sure your child is comfortable with his or her potential tutor is an important step in selecting the right tutoring service. Ask your child beforehand if they have any questions for the tutor, and encourage them to speak up during the interview.
4. Location. While the convenience of the tutoring center from your home or child’s school should be a consideration, it should not be the primary one. Where your child feels the most comfortable is the primary factor. Keep in mind that the feel of a certain building can impact the way your child learns. Some kids may find florescent lighting and old buildings to be distracting, while the bright, yellow walls in another seem warm and inviting. If your child isn’t comfortable at the tutoring center that has the best tutor, ask if lessons can be given at home or at another location, such as a church, library, or community center.
5. Determine Flexibility. Ask the potential tutoring service about their hours, and whether they are flexible to work around sporting events or other extracurricular activities your child may have. Also ask if they’re open to teaching at different times in the day other than right after school, as studies have revealed that kids learn more when having a break between normal schooling and additional tutoring.
Conclusion
The primary goal for any parent selecting the right tutoring service for their child should be to find the highest qualified tutor available, one that will also foster healthy interactions with your child and put them at ease. Allow enough time for a relationship to form, but if your child cannot mesh well with the tutor after eight lessons, consider finding another tutor.
Tutoring for Students of All Calibers and Grade Levels
A campus or community tutoring service can be a tremendous support tool for college students who are still learning to master important subjects. English, math, and science are three critical education areas where college students sometimes need help. But many other subjects may be tutored as well, such as a foreign language or computer skills. Some students avoid tutoring services, however, feeling there is a stigma attached to visiting the “Learning Center” for out-of-class assistance. Others claim they are too busy with classes and a job to make time for supplemental learning support. But any student struggling with a college class should consider tutoring services.
How can students find a tutoring service? Most colleges and universities host a tutoring lab or student support department where professionally-trained, paid tutors, most with a graduate-level college degree, are available to assist with college courses and assignments. The tutoring services office may be part of a Learning Center, Learning Commons, or Special Services area of the campus. Interested students can usually ask an instructor or library staff member for information about tutoring. The Office of Student Services can likewise help a student connect with this valuable service.
How does a tutoring service work? Generally, the tutoring office is open during posted hours and staffed by professional tutors, or sometimes, by higher-level undergraduate students who are accomplished in the subject they tutor. Appointments are usually set for thirty minutes at a time, although sessions may be longer. Students may be asked to register by filling out a card or completing an online registration form at the tutoring office.
Tutoring services function in various ways. The goal is to make the student responsible for his or her work rather than rely too heavily on a tutor. The student should bring the assignment guidelines to the appointment and be able to explain what is needed. The tutor may ask questions to clarify required guidelines and type of assistance needed by the student. Then the student may be asked to read aloud a draft of an essay or report, or go over a homework assignment with the tutor. For writing assignments, tutors often listen to the draft being read before responding with questions or suggestions to help the student think through the assignment. For math or science homework, tutors often answer questions, explain concepts, or review problems answered by the student. Tutors never complete an assignment for students, but rather, try to instill confidence in students to help them become more independent in completing coursework and becoming organized learners.
Are tutors available at night or on weekends? Tutor availability depends on each institution’s schedule. Nights and weekends usually have fewer tutoring hours. However, more campuses are adopting e-tutoring programs that allow tutors to work remotely with students, who can submit an assignment electronically and receive guidance or feedback within twenty-four hours or so. E-tutoring accommodates those with difficult schedules or mobility issues.
Tutors can help students of all calibers and grade levels. Outstanding students often seek feedback to ensure they maintain high grades. Mediocre students may need help getting to the next level or ensuring accuracy with their assignments. Weaker students appreciate assistance in understanding concepts or assignments. Tutoring services provide free valuable support to help students maximize their academic potential.
Read tutoring service reviews to find a tutor now.
Review of Sylvan Learning Center
The Sylvan Learning Center has a unique approach to helping your child do better in school. Instead of simply tutoring in a cookie cutter fashion, Sylvan Learning Center takes the time to pinpoint each child’s individual needs.
Once a child’s needs have been established, Sylvan Learning Center puts together a custom learning plan for that child and then has that learning plan carried out by a professional and caring tutor. All along the way you, as the parent, are supplied with regular progress reports letting you know where your child stands.
Sylvan Learning Center offers private tutoring services for all of the following:
• Math
• Reading
• Writing
• Homework
• Study Skills
• College Prep
Regardless of the scholastic area that your child needs help with, Sylvan Learning Center typically has the solution.
Sylvan Learning Center currently has over 900 learning centers that you can choose from. To find the Sylvan Learning Center closest in proximity to you, simply go to their website and type in your postal zip code where you see a small map of the United States. Once you do, you are taken to a page that gives all the information you need on the locations that are closest to your zip code. Everything you need including a map, address, and phone number are all provided. You can even find out if the center, or centers, near you offer online help as well as center help.
Additionally, on their website, you can find all sorts of resources that will help you help your child. You can search for tutoring by subject or by grade. You can also take advantage of their parent resource center which will provide you with valuable and helpful tips and tricks. You can then use these tools to help your child in school all along the way.
According to Sylvan Learning Center, their services are so effective that they guarantee your child’s success. If your child attends three hours of work for 12 weeks at a Sylvan Learning Center, they guarantee your child’s grade level to go up by a full grade. To get more specifics on their guarantee, you have to call their toll free number, but it is nice to see that there is some level of success assurance.
If your child is doing all that they can in school and still having struggles, you may want to look into tutoring for your child. With companies like the Sylvan Learning Center that view each child as an individual and not a number, your child’s schooling success may be a lot closer that you think.
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