Have your parents been shopping? We don't mean making a trip to those big malls to shop. Rather, we are talking about shopping for tutors, tutors and more tutors. Hmm, which of the following situtations below most befits you?
Situation One
You (upon hearing that you need more tuition): "No, Mum, surfing the Web is more fun. It's also educational at the same time as well."
Mother:"We must! Sigh, your grades are falling, and you are still concentrating on playing. Last term was only 70+, now you've got only 70. We must get a new tutor for you!"
Situation Two
You (look of distaste): "Huh? Change tutor again?"
Mother: " Of course, everytime we change, your grades go up by 4. So if we keep changing tutor for you, you will definitely get an A by the end of the year! This is Maths for you."
Situation Three
You (look of despair): "But Mum, this isn't my fault, the teachers at school are useless. I promise I'll work harder okay?"
Situation Four
You (fainting): "Please Mum, I can't take it anymore. There's too much schoolwork, homework, tuition work, remedial classes, tuition classes, school clubs..."
Situation Five
You (pleading): "Please Mum, I need tuition now. My grades are not good enough. I want straight As."
A Phenomenon Called Tuition
Humor aside, most of you would have at least a close brush with tuitions and tutors. These two entities have been around for many years, and are still going strong. In fact, many have seen them as necessary with every development to our educational system. Tuition has taken different forms, and so have tutors - private tutors who make house calls or whom you visit, and the tuition schools in office buildings, shopping malls and even inside residential homes. And the press highlighted the "evils" and the benefits of tuition. Most parents have supported the need for tuition, whilst some schools have defended their adequacy and insisted that tuition is unnecessary. What about the tutors and tuition schools? So far, the press have not taken any steps to interview them. However, chances are that they won't be too pleased about tuition being seen as unnecessary. And what about you as a student? How do you know if tuition is for you? 4 Gals N Boys have come up with some useful tips to help you determine if you should take up tuition, and the kind that would suit you.
Tip 1: Go For The Weakest Subjects
In which subjects do you really need improvement? You would be wasting time and money if you receive tuition in every single one of your subjects, if you are fully capable of coping with most of them. Priority should always go to subjects in which you have failed, or those in which you have managed to pass marginally. Should time and money permit, you could then received tuition in subjects that you have scored 60 to 70+ marks. If you have been consistent in getting the As, do not even think of tuition.
Tip 2: Are Thy Tutors And Tuition School Reputable?
Are you a lone ranger, or do you feel more comfortable learning alongside others? Group tuition generally costs less than individual one-to-one tuition sessions. And if you have chosen to attend a tuition school, ensure that it is credible. A good tuition school screens and employs reliable and qualified tutors. Watch out for those fly-by-night schools which do not have your interests at heart and operate just to make a fast buck out of you. So check carefully before deciding.
Tip 3: Are Thee Qualified?
The certificates or "qualifications" of your prospective tutor should be vetted by your parents. While it's true having the right paper qualifications may not always mean that one would be an effective tutor, it is the basic minimum requirement for someone to call himself a tutor. For example, Science subjects should be taught by a qualified tutor who has graduated in the Sciences, and not someone with IT or Computer Science qualifications. Even if he claims to be good at Physics and Chemistry despite his non-Science background, he should be able to produce some kind of concrete evidence before your parents appoint him. The same goes for languages like English, French, German. If the tutor has no direct and relevant qualifications, make sure that he is able to prove his capability in teaching that language.
Tip 4: Are Thee Actually Something Else?
Interviews with parents revealed some startling real life "encounters" with tutors. Like the one who tried to sell telephone cards to his students, the one who claimed to be an ex-school teacher but turned out to be a school janitor's relative living in the caretaker's quarters in school, or even the one who claimed to be a "seasoned" tutor but turned out to be a saleswoman selling kitchenware! Of course, we must stress that these tutors are the rare extremes who give tutors a bad name. But keep your ears pricked and eyes sharp in any case!
Tip 5:What If Thee Is Not The One?
If you really cannot comprehend what the tutor is trying to teach you after a reasonable period of time, or if your marks remain stagnant after a whole term or two (assuming that you have been receptive and following instructions faithfully), then you should start considering getting a new tutor. Don't be afraid to sound the alarm and make your parents aware of the lack of progress. You deserve a more suitable tutor who can pitch concepts and skills at your level.
Tip 6: What If Thee Is The One?
If you are happy with you tutor, try to avoid changes due to reasons like saving a few dollars, travelling time, or some trivial inconvenience. This is because good rapport with your tutor and effective teaching may be hard to come by, and you may have to start from square one again should you get a new tutor. So, happy tutor-hunting and "tuitioning"!
Labels: benefits of tuition, educational system development, tuitioning, tuitions, tutoring, tutors
