PROS & CONS OF TUTORING
WHAT DOES A TUTOR DO?
A tutor is a practitioner who is either qualified in education, or highly trained in a specialist area, for example someone highly qualified in science, maths or languages. Grand Cayman offers a wide range of options for families seeking additional help with their child's education. Tutoring can take place either in the student's home or in a classroom setting, and ranges from pre-K (primarily focusing on phonics skills / early literacy and numeracy); special needs or learning disabilities; subject-specific tuition; languages; and general tuition / homework assistance.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT TUTOR?
Some children, who may possess good focus and concentration skills, can really flourish in their home environment. Others can become distracted in their own home and will benefit more from a classroom setting where they can also socialise with other children. If parents are able to transport the student to classroom sessions, they can consider one of the available class-based options, such as High Achievement Academy, Footsteps, Alpha Academy. If they prefer to hire a tutor to attend classes in the home, they can choose from one of Cayman's mobile companies such as Triple T Tutoring. Other variables to consider are price (usually CI$30$60 per hour) and location (mobile options are available in North Side and East End in addition to the centrally based companies). Tuition should supplement the learning already taking place inside the school classroom. A good way to aid this is to regularly forward class newsletters, spelling lists, school reports etc to the tutor, for inclusion in the tutoring sessions.
10 REASONS TO HIRE A TUTOR
Better grades: A tutor can quickly work out where the student has
gaps in a subject or area and work one-on-one to remediate it. Confidence in school: The confidence a child gains from not only knowing they can keep up but they are actually capable, cannot be understated.
PROS: • The tutor will put together a personalised plan for the student, getting to know his or her specific needs, working closely with the family to address their educational goals.
• The student will receive the full attention of the tutor during one-on-one sessions whereby they can freely discuss all of their questions and concerns.
• Regular assessments / reports: A good tutor should regularly report home as to the progress of the child and should perform frequent assessments.
• Fun free-time with the family: After a long day at school and at work, the family will not have to worry about forcing their homework time. • A tutor can catch areas where a student is falling behind. It is impossible for a classroom teacher to give the attention he or she deserves when they have 24 other students in the class. If reading or writing skills develop too slowly for your child to keep up, then there is very little that can be done in school to correct the problem.
CONS: • If the student becomes reliant upon the assistance of a tutor for homework help, there is the chance they might become demotivated. To prevent this, regular communication with both teacher and tutor should take place.
• Too much work: It's crucial not to overwhelm children with too much pressure, especially those under the age of ten. Forcing children into additional classes after a full day of school or on a Saturday could be demoralizing. Be sure to provide rewards and fun, relaxation time.
• Too young: Children under the age of 7 should enjoy learning, and play is essential in order to develop cognitive, motor and social skills. The rest of their academic life will become increasingly competitive, so allow them to have fun at a young age. Tutors of this age group should employ games and fun-based learning.
Increased social confidence: Academic success can improve overall self-esteem. Different perspective: Sometimes a tutor can offer new insight or
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Simplifying core concepts: Tutors can simplify core concepts to
approaches to a subject than school teachers or family members.
create a deep rooted, thorough understanding of subjects at a
One-on-one time: Tutors can dedicate their full attention to each
young age before schoolwork becomes more complex; providing
student. Shy students might be too embarrassed to ask questions
a solid toolkit of problem-solving skills and a confidence in their
in class or tell others that they are struggling.
ability to tackle difficult work in the future.
Meet new friends: Children can create a new circle of friends in their
Excelling in exams: Many parents hire a tutor for their children so
tutoring environment.
that they can feel prepared and confident in exams. A tutor will
Allows for extra family time at home: At the end of the day, children
often help the student tackle past test papers.
and parents are exhausted and it can become stressful to start
Keep the level of knowledge up: A tutor will help maintain a child's
tackling difficult homework tasks. Tutors can relieve some of this
skills over school holidays to ensure the student does not fall
pressure and allow for more enjoyable family time.
behind.
Cayman Parent Magazine | STAGES | SCHOOL AGE