How to Be a Good Tutor
Singapore is world-renowned in terms of education, and its academic environment is both competitive and requires the meeting of high standards, making tutoring both a well-respected and lucrative occupation here. In order to succeed as a tutor in Singapore, you must possess a blend of knowledge, teaching skills, and interpersonal qualities.
If you would like to know how to enter the world of tutoring in Singapore, this article is for you. It can be daunting to know where to begin; thus, we will provide you with all the steps you need to become an effective and respected tutor in Singapore, from building your client base from the ground up to teaching effectively and navigating common problems faced by tutors.
Understanding the Role of a Tutor
The role of a tutor is more multifaceted than most people might think. Beyond actually providing content and skills for the subject matter, it also involves mentoring, motivating, and supporting students to achieve their academic goals. Most students who require the help of a tutor are already struggling in the subject and might be demoralised or unmotivated. As a tutor in Singapore, you must be familiar with the rigorous curriculum and understand the specific needs of your students, as well as be able to effectively engage and motivate your students, being both a cheerleader and a coach.
What It Takes to Be a Tutor
It goes without saying, but the most basic aspect of being an effective tutor is having a deep understanding of the subjects you teach. The syllabus in Singapore is constantly being updated and renewed, and national exams are of utmost priority, so it is imperative that you stay updated with the latest curriculum and the way questions are asked and structured. One excellent way of doing this is reviewing textbooks or workbooks found in bookstores, exam papers (such as ten-year series), and online resources to ensure your knowledge remains current and relevant.
In Singapore, formal qualifications are highly lauded, and are therefore an essential component of a tutor’s resume. While a passion for teaching is crucial, any certification you are able to attain will add credibility to your profile. A degree or diploma in education or your chosen subject will inevitably be advantageous. Additionally, certifications in tutoring or specialised training courses can enhance your teaching skills. If you do not have any formal certification in education or your preferred subject, using your past national exam results in that subject will help.
Another important factor in building your resume is having experience. If you have tutored before, even if only in an informal or voluntary setting, it is important to note this experience down for parents and specifically highlight how each student improved in the subject you taught. Any improvement in exam results cannot be understated when recounting any previous students, and should be at the forefront of your resumé.
If you are unsure of where to start and gain experience, volunteer programs are the best way to try out tutoring and see if it is the right fit for you.
Making Your Lessons Effective
Once you have a few students lined up, you’ll want to ensure the lessons you conduct for them are as effective as possible. First, communicate with your student’s parents about your student’s academic needs and ask to look at previous assignments or tests. Any feedback from school teachers will be useful for you to know too.
Use the information you now have about your student’s current academic level to plan your curriculum. Make a clear lesson plan for each session, but be ready to adapt your lessons based on any questions, recent tests, or urgent homework your student may need your help with. Use a variety of resources to make your lessons engaging. While assessment books and test papers are popular choices for tuition classes, incorporating interactive tools and real-world examples can enrich your student’s learning experience.
Engaging and Motivating Your Students
The harsh reality is that qualified tutors are a dime a dozen, especially in an academically-charged city like Singapore. Many tutors wonder how to set themselves apart from the competition. Aside from establishing a specific target market, you will win clients over by having great rapport with your students. Make an effort to show genuine interest in their progress and well-being, and personalise your lessons to their learning style.
Every student learns differently, and having patience, empathy, and adaptability will go a long way in benefiting your students’ academic journeys. A positive relationship with your students will make your student look forward to lessons rather than dread them, and your students will be more willing to actively participate and ask questions in sessions.
Aside from building strong teacher-student relationships, use positive reinforcement to keep your students motivated. Praise their efforts and achievements, no matter how small. Recognising their progress will boost their confidence and encourage them to strive for further improvement. You may want to invest in stamps or stickers that students can see as a tangible reward for doing their best in every lesson.
Assessing Your Students’ Progress
As a tutor, it can be extremely rewarding to see your student’s progress. Your student’s parents will also be looking forward to seeing improvements in their child’s schoolwork and exam results, and good scores will help keep your students motivated. Therefore, it’s important to regularly assess and monitor the progress of your students.
One way to do this is to conduct regular assessments during your lessons. While you may opt to give your students longer tests or assignments from time to time, assessing your students’ progress doesn’t always have to be long and involved. A short review or pop quiz can be enough for you to gauge your students’ understanding. Ensure that any assessments you conduct allows you to identify areas for improvement.
Once you’ve conducted an assessment, provide your students and their parents with constructive feedback on the students’ performance. Highlight strengths and offer specific suggestions for improvement that you and your student can start working on right away. This will require some resourcefulness and adaptability, although making these suggestions and carrying them out will become easier with more experience. Don’t wait until after your students finish major exams to give feedback. Your feedback should always be timely, clear, and actionable.
Maintaining Professionalism as a Tutor
As with any job, professionalism is crucial for tutoring. Especially if you are a private tutor conducting lessons either in your own home or in your student’s home, you will want to make sure you are as professional as possible. Always be punctual and well-prepared for your lessons. Not only does this make a good impression, but it also sets a positive example for your students and helps to build trust and respect.
Respect your students’ privacy and maintain confidentiality. Do not disclose any of your clients’ personal information or school results to others without permission. It’s imperative to keep any records of your students’ work and progress to yourself. Posting anything from your lessons on social media is a huge no-no, especially if the post contains identity-revealing information.
Navigating Challenges that Come with Tutoring
Occasionally, you may encounter difficult students. When this happens, do your best to approach these situations with patience and empathy. Try to understand the underlying issues behind the student’s behaviour and address them as far as you are able. Establish clear rules and consequences for disruptive behaviour, and speak to the student’s parents for more context on the student’s behaviour and for their collaboration on positive reinforcement.
If you’re hoping to tutor as a full-time job, then ideally you’ll have a number of students to teach every week. In order to juggle multiple students, time management is of the essence. Ensure you allocate enough time to prepare the lessons for all your students each week, and factor in travel time and marking time when considering adding another student to your client list. Since you’ll be your own boss, make use of calendars and reminder apps to stay on top of your schedule.
Be the Tutor You Wish You Had
Being an effective tutor in Singapore involves a combination of knowledge, abilities, and personal traits. Mastering your subject, developing important skills for teaching, engaging with and encouraging your students, maintaining professionalism, and doing your best to manage obstacles will work together to make you the best possible tutor for your students. Your commitment to your students will not only help them to achieve their academic goals, but will also instil in them a lifetime love of learning. In Singapore’s competitive education landscape, a good tutor can make a major impact on a student’s success.