There are several benefits of getting a tutor for your child. However, along with the benefits, there are a few downsides. Understanding the pros and cons will shield you from any unpleasant surprises.
PRO: Students Receive Customized Learning Sessions
It’s an accepted fact that people have different learning styles. However, in a classroom environment, it is impossible for teachers to tailor their classes to each student’s learning style so classroom sessions tend to be generic. While this may suit some students, it does not work well for everybody. Slower learners may struggle to keep pace with the rest of their peers while fast learners may get bored in the classroom. A private tutor easily resolves all of these issues.
Private tutors adjust the pace and style of their teaching to suit the student’s needs and abilities. They will introduce more graphics to visual learners or develop activity-based sessions for those who get bored easily with too much text. Tailoring teaching can be particularly important for children who have dyslexia, dyspraxia, or any other learning disorder.
Children learn best when learning sessions are customized to suit them. What’s more, they enjoy it more too.
PRO: Students Receive Undivided, One-To-One Attention
Another huge advantage of getting a tutor is the amount of one-to-one attention a student receives from their teacher. In large classrooms, where a teacher may divide their attention, some students easily get lost in the crowd. Even when they do have a problem, they hesitate to approach the teacher for help.
During a private session, the tutor focuses their attention fully on their student. The importance of this one-to-one attention cannot be overemphasized. A tutor helps an easily distracted student stay focused. If they cannot make progress in a subject because of a weak foundation, the tutor will go back to basics and explain important concepts from scratch, paving the way for advanced learning. Knowing that they have a tutor who will give them the one-to-one attention they need to understand complex concepts more easily can do a lot to boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem.
CON: Tutors Aren’t Always Cheap
Hiring a private teacher can cost a pretty penny. Parents have to balance the value of increasing academic understanding and grades, and their wallets. Tutoring can help raise GPAs and/or ACT/SAT scores, and therefore boost their college application. It could be considered an investment, but still can be a budget crunch.
CON: Finding The Right Tutor At The Right Price Is Not Easy
When looking for a tutor for your child you will want to make sure that they meet your child’s needs and that you can also afford their rates. This is no easy combination. Good tutors can be frightfully expensive and those who are affordable may not be right for your child. Finding a tutor that fulfills both requirements can be challenging.
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My little brother needs to retake his college entry tests for a better score. However, he seems to struggle with the reading and English sections on the test, so he might benefit from hiring a tutor. I love how you mentioned that hiring a tutor can help a student by teaching at their own pace. Thanks for the great article about the pros and cons of hiring a tutor.