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2012 – a year of change in tutoring and teaching

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Last year was a year of real change in the UK, we faced tough economic times and many public and private sector workers lost their jobs. The tutoring world also faced hardship. Many parents, despite wanting the best for their child’s education, had to let tutors go. On the other hand we didn’t lose students because suddenly there was a group of students and parents who realised how important being the best might just be in the future. Many children who are now at school face an uncertain career future and so they need to achieve the best they can at school and be multi-skilled to survive.

Our own tutors are learning about diversifying and how that can keep you employed when things go haywire with the economy. So, for example. some of our language tutors who traditionally taught French and German are now adding in additional languages that they are qualified to teach. And our tutors are continually improving their own qualifications to put their career in the strongest position possible. This is a great lesson to teach children, whether you call it a back up plan or keeping fingers in lots of pies. The days of lifelong jobs seem to be a thing of the past so your child needs to both academically succeed and think about alternative career plans alongside any they already have. One of our English as a Foreign Language tutors has spent years working with students who have moved to the UK. Now things are changing he’ll also be teaching English at GCSE and A Level (one of our most popular subjects).

Adapting is something that comes almost naturally to teachers and tutors – we see new students every few months, we deal with lots of different syllabuses across different exam boards and help students with different learning styles.  We know it’s a valuable skill and one we certainly try and pass on in the tutoring environment.

If you need help with one to one tutoring in subjects including English, Maths and History across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Bramhall and Sale then contact us today.

 

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One to one tutor or tuition centre?

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Over the last few years tuition centres such as Kumon have become increasingly popular with parents, especially at primary level. Many of our students have at one time experienced tuition centres and many parents want to know if they are better (or worse) than the kind of one to one tutoring that 121 Home Tutors offer.

  • Tuition centres have their place – they tend to be cheaper than one to one tuition and for some parents budget is a serious consideration.
  • Some children respond better in the group environment – but we tend to find students who are struggling in the classroom really benefit from one to one attention in a quiet and safe place like their own home.  If your child struggles in a classroom, (for example they don’t want to approach the teacher, they don’t speak up and fall behind) then they will be much better suited to one to one tuition.
  • Group work is usually pitched at the average person in the classroom (as in school) and there is only limited time to deal with students who are struggling. This might mean serious issues aren’t dealt with.
  • Many tuition centres follow a set system or pattern for learning and your child works to achieve certain goals. One to one tutoring is adapted specifically to the needs of the individual child, what they need to learn and what they are struggling with (and can also incorporate ways they prefer to learn).
  • Most tutors (including 121 Home Tutors) will come and tutor in your home meaning you don’t have to deal with the inconvenience or cost of travelling to a tutoring centre.

We’d be happy to discuss your tutoring options and figure out if 1-2-1 or group work would be best. If you need help with one to one tutoring in subjects including English, Maths and History across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Bramhall and Sale then contact us today.

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New Year Resolutions

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

At 121 Home Tutors all our tutors have their own personal New Year’s resolutions (lose those few pounds gained over Christmas, expand their tutoring business, be a better tutor, take up a new hobby). Yes. we all have our aims and ambitions for 2012 and we know you will have yours too. But what if you made just one of your resolutions an education one (and encouraged your child to do the same?). It could mean 2012 could be an even more successful year and it could be the first step in passing exams, getting a place at a school or university or the beginnings of a successful career. So we asked our tutors what resolutions they would suggest parents and their children make for 2012 and here’s what they came up with.

  1. Plan. Being organised pays off, whether that’s coming up with a revision schedule long before exams or booking in 11 plus tutoring well before your child sits their entrance exams then planning is the key.
  2. Recognise. This resolution is for both parents and students. Tutoring is fantastic and can mean you can overcome academic problems you have. But tutoring doesn’t happen unless you are willing to recognise that a problem exists. As a parent it can be hard to face up to the fact that your child might not be doing as well as you’d hoped and as a student it can be downright embarrassing to admit you are failing in an area or topic. Communication is really important – if you think your child is having problems then talk to them (and their teachers) as soon as possible, early intervention by teachers or a tutor can easily resolve a problem. If a problem is left unchecked then it becomes harder to deal with later on and your child can also suffer a serious knock to their confidence. Tutoring isn’t about saying you aren’t good enough, it’s about saying you want to be better and you are smart enough to see there is a way to do that. Parents tell our tutors that the most common problem areas tend to be in the topics we need the most on a day to day basis – so English (primary, GCSEs and A Level) and Maths (primary, GCSE and A Level).
  3. Future. Encourage your child to think about their future now. It’s really easy to forget that the choices made in secondary school can dictate the path our life takes. Find positive ways to encourage your child to focus on their school work when needed and help them out if they start to struggle. It’s also a good time to reflect on where you want your future to be – after all tutoring isn’t just for children!

Here’s to a happy and successful 2012. If you need help with one to one tutoring in subjects including English, Maths and History across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Bramhall and Sale then contact us today.

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Learning an instrument, Manchester and private tutoring

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Most people at some stage in their life have either learnt or wanted to learn how to play an instrument. Maybe you tried out recorder or keyboard at school but have had a lifelong interest in learning the saxophone?

Maybe your child has shown a musical talent or an interest in joining a band? A private tutor can be a fantastic way to get the in-depth help you need to really master an instrument or even learn more about the theory of music. At 121 Home Tutors, we know have several tutors across Didsbury, South Manchester and Wilmslow. Our tutors teach music theory and composition so you could be the next Gary Barlow writing smash hits. Or if you fancy learning something new they teach instruments including guitar, piano, saxophone, oboe and flute.

If you are a parent then private music tuition can be a great confidence builder for your child. It’s a great way to move away from the more academic subjects but learn valuable lessons such as discipline. Music is also tremendous fun and can mean anything for a child, from an interesting hobby to a way to connect with other child and even a possible future career.

If you’ve always fancied picking up an instrument yourself then what’s stopping you? Private music tutoring means you can learn in the comfort of your home and work at your own speed. We have tutors who can help you find your ability with a new instrument (whether that’s your voice, a guitar or piano) or work with you on your chosen instrument to get you ready for exams, concerts or gigs.

So what are the key skills in learning an instrument?

1.     Practice really does make perfect. To be really good at any instrument (and this really applies to learning anything) you need to practise. It needs to be regular practise and for a reasonable amount of time. This is vital if you want to progress and improve your ability.

2.     Take things slowly. Playing an instrument can be a hobby for the rest of your life so being good at it will take a while. Be patient with yourself and if you find yourself making mistakes then slow down.

3.     Focus on your achievements. Learning a musical instrument and making progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line. So one day you might be able to master a piece of music only to struggle with it the next day. It’s best to focus on the fact you got their once and can get their again.

4.     There is no right. Yes there are certain technical requirements that come with playing certain instruments but it may be that you prefer playing a guitar standing up than sitting down. Or that you learn music by ear than reading. A good tutor will recognise you have your own way of doing things and work with you to develop your talents.

5.     Be realistic. If you are learning as an adult then you will find mastering an instrument both physically and mentally demanding. Often more so than a child would. You’ll get a great deal of pleasure from playing easier musical pieces well than frustrating yourself with the impossible.

If you need help with music tutoring or learning a musical instrument then 121 Home Tutors can help – we cover areas across Manchester and Cheshire including Wilmslow, Didsbury and Alderley Edge. It’s easy to get in touch.

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Is your nest empty?

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

If your child has gone off to university then you might suddenly find yourself with a quiet house and some spare time on your hands. Lots of people love this new freedom but many parents struggle with empty nest syndrome. No doubt the last few weeks have been hectic and emotional – getting your son or daughter ready for uni, shopping trips for house essentials and then that final trip to drop them off. It’s a big change for both of you. But what next as a parent?

One thing you can do is view this as an opportunity – to reclaim a sense of self, carve out some much needed personal time and expand your life through new hobbies and interests.

  • You might have spent the last few years investing in education and tutoring for your child. How about investing that money in your own education , for example we offer one to one drawing and painting tutoring with art teachers in Didsbury, Manchester. Or if you’ve always fancied taking up a musical instrument, now could be the time, at 121 Home Tutors we have tutors offering music theory and composition across Didsbury, South Manchester and Wilmslow. They teach instruments including piano, flute, guitar, sax and oboe.
  • Maybe you fancy living abroad or just spending a bit more time in another country?  Parents of children we tutor tell us they’ve suddenly found they have the time to consider a more peaceful life, choosing to spend time in countries such as France, Spain or Germany. It could even be the start of a whole new life!  http://www.121hometutors.co.uk/2011/05/want-to-speak-the-lingo-when-you-are-abroad/
  • Have you held back on your career development? You might have been stuck in the same job for years. Now is your chance to start a new career and private tutoring can be a great way to take the first step. If you’ve been out of education for a long time then the support of a private tutor can help you to get the best out of any course. 121 Home Tutors can also arrange intensive tutoring in specific areas which mean you can learn quickly in a very personal and supportive environment.
  • We have a number of tutors who work in professional areas, such as accountancy. If you want to take the next step in your current career then they can help with exams and general confidence in your subject and workplace.
  • We know you’ll never forget about your kids but it’s worth remembering that uni students struggle with study too. We have a number of university students who come to us for private tutoring and we are able to find tutors for most degree subjects in Manchester and Cheshire (we cover central Manchester and outlying areas such as Wilmslow and Cheadle).

If you’d like to chat to 121 Home Tutors about adult tutoring in Manchester, Heaton Moor, Wilmslow, Didsbury and surrounding areas then call us on 01625 531360

 

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GCSE’s, iGCSE’s, EBacc’s and certificates

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

In the last few years there have been significant changes to qualifications at GCSE and A Level . The content has been regularly reviewed and the format of exams and gradings  has changed to include an A* for A Levels. The modular exam route for both GCSE’s and AS and A2 levels has increased in popularity - a subject is assessed in smaller chunks and modules can be sat again (resits) to improve grades. These changes have fed debate about academic rigour leading to a review of these qualifications  and a limit on the number of resits allowed.

One of the qualifications increasing in popularity within the private sector is the iGCSE (international GCSE). They were first developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations for use in overseas countries (including the UK) who wanted  a qualification that was viewed as academically rigorous. The iGCSE is often compared to O Levels rather than the more modern GCSEs and recent changes to traditional GCSEs in science, maths and English have meant even more independent schools are switching to iGCSEs.

iGCSEs are taken at the same age as conventional GCSEs across 500 schools in the UK but to date are not accredited for use in state schools. Edexcel wanted to bring the success of the internationally recognised iGCSE to  UK state schools and so they have introduced ‘certificates’ equivalent to the iGCSE in Maths, English Language and English Literature (with Science to follow). Cambridge offer iGCSEs in 18 subjects including languages.

As we’ve discussed before we think languages can open up fantastic new career possibilities for young people and we see the introduction of advanced standards as a great move forward for education in the UK. It does seem a shame to have titled the state iGCSE equivalent as a certificate, in this country we get certificates for running races and swimming a length and so it seems an inappropriate name for a qualification that holds itself to these higher standards.

In January this year, for the first time, school performance league tables also included the percentage of students who received the new EBacc qualification (English Baccalaureate).  This is awarded to students who have passed GCSE in Maths, English, Science, a language, geography or history at grade A*-C.  The EBacc was originally introduced to encourage children from low income neighbourhoods to take more traditional subjects, enabling them to gain places at top universities.  Unfortunately recent evidence suggests this is not the case – an Education Committee inquiry into the EBacc found no evidence that the flagship reform will improve the life chances of low-income pupils. With next year bringing £9,000 a year fees for some universities it seems backwards to introduce a qualification that might help a child obtain a university place that they don’t have the financial means to take up.

We have tutors who work in both state and independent schools and are familiar with the requirements for the iGCSE and what is needed to improve grades for the EBacc. Alison, our MD, recently wrote a Chemistry iGCSE course.

If you’d like to know more about iGCSEs, the EBacc and tutoring in these subjects including languages, maths and English (across Manchester and Cheshire including areas such as Wilmslow) then call us on 01625 531360.

 

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100,000 students drop out of university

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

This month will see about half a million students start a university course in the UK. This is the last entry year before many universities will introduce higher fees (some at £9k or more a year) and the number of applications to universities rose sharply. Many missed out on places but did you know every year hundreds of thousands of students drop out of university? A 2008 study estimated 100,000 students left their course after the first year.  Almost a quarter of students, around 22%, failed to complete their course.

There are probably lots of different reasons that students drop out of university – they didn’t want to be there in the first place, they chose the wrong course, they miss friends or home, they can’t cope with the change. Lots of people think that widening participation (getting more people into university) is one of the main causes of drop out rates and that may be a contributing factor as students might not have the support of people at home or struggle financially.

We tutor lots of students, in all kinds of subjects from Maths to Spanish, who are about to apply for university. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you make that final decision.

  • Why are you going to university? Is it for you? Are you doing it to make your parents happy? This is probably the first adult decision you will have to make that could have a real impact on the rest of your life – it has to be right for you.
  • How have you chosen your course? Did you decide on it because your mates are doing it or because you did an A Level in it? Sit down with a piece of paper and make a list of the things you enjoy and are interested in (and would be willing to study for at least three years). That’s a good starting point to choose a course.
  • And the same goes for university locations – choose carefully, visit each campus. Remember you will be living there for at least three years – think about how easily you can get home, get around the city and see people so you don’t feel isolated.
  • If you are the first person in your family to go to university then make sure your friends and family understand that you’ll need financial and moral support. It’s great if you have someone to talk to who has been to university.
  • Think about what you want after uni. This will help determine if it’s right for you. University does give you some great life skills (and general transferable skills like research) but it can be a confidence knock if things don’t go well. If you really want to be a writer then is going to Aberdeen to study Engineering the right thing?

If you are applying for university this year and need help with your UCAS form or tutoring for A Levels including Maths, English and Science in Manchester and Cheshire then contact 121 Home Tutors.

 

 

 

 

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How do I get a place to do Medicine at University?

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

If you want to study Medicine at university then you have to be ready for some fierce competition.  There are only a handful of universities that offer medicine and it is an academically demanding course that tests even those with the best grades.  But many students who intend on applying to do medicine fall down at the application or interview stage because they fail to see they need to stand out. We’ve asked our tutors to come up with some tips for applying to do medicine. You’ll find these especially helpful if you’ll soon get your GCSE results and finally decide AS/A Level options or are about to go into Year 13.

If you want to apply to do medicine you do it through UCAS (Universities and College Admissions Service), in common  with admissions for all courses to all universities in the UK. The early application deadline is 15 October medicine (earlier than some courses).

You can apply for four medical places (you have six spaces – most people use the other two for back up courses in medically related fields like pharmacology).

  1. The UCAS form is the thing that will secure you an interview so it’s vital you spend plenty of time on it – the two most important aspects are your personal statement and teacher statement.
  2. You’ll be expected to get very high grades – places like Oxford require AAA (or possibly even A*). You will need Chemistry at A Level. AS results, A level results, A2 results and GCSE results also matter, you need to show a consistent academic performance.
  3. In your personal statement carefully check your grammar and spelling (or get someone else to do it). Make sure it meets the UCAS entry guidelines – so it has to be less than 47 lines on the form (not 47 lines typed in Word) and less than 4000 characters. You need to be clear about why you want to study medicine, any work experience/voluntary work you have done, what you know about working in medicine and how you found out about this (work experience etc), your hobbies and achievements, any jobs and responsibilities and sum up why they should choose you.  It’s not really the place to start going over your AS results, A level results, A2 results and GCSE results.
  4. One thing in your personal statement that will help you stand out is any relevant work experience – start thinking about this now. You can find useful information here . Holiday work will look good in your personal statement and also ensure that you are picking the right career path.  
  5. Make sure your teacher or referee knows the kind of information a Medicine admissions tutor is looking for – you want them to backup your passion for becoming a doctor and studying medicine while talking about your achievements and your positive attributes such as leadership and communication skills.

If you need help with tutoring at As or A2 and A Level subjects such as Biology and Chemistry in Manchester and Cheshire then call 121 Home Tutors (01625 531360). Over the next few weeks we will be around to chat through your options when you get your AS results, A level results, A2 results and GCSE results.

We have a team of dedicated and experienced tutors who have helped students gain places on courses to study Medicine.

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Year 13 – what to do with your summer

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

If you are in Year 13 (Upper Sixth) then this is a great time for you – your A Level exams are over and you have a few weeks ahead where you can relax before your exam results come in and you get a job or go off to university.  Because it’s been such a hectic few months you might not have thought about what you’ll do over the summer (and we know there are a fair few of you who’d like to do absolutely nothing!). But by now you may have had a few weeks to chill out and be looking around for something to do.

This might be your last chance, at least for a while, to fill your time with some interesting and career enhancing activities. Before you know it you’ll be in the world of work or finding your way at university. Here are just a few suggestions to fill your time over the next few weeks.

1.      Work experience

If there’s one thing that employers say time and time again about choosing someone to work for them it’s that they want someone with experience. You can have all the qualifications in the world but even a few weeks experience in your chosen sector could make the difference between landing your dream job or walking away disappointed. It’s also a great chance to try out different jobs and turn your hand to a variety of jobs before you pick your ‘career’. Lots of companies would love to have someone enthusiastic and hardworking over the summer to help them out. It’s fairly straightforward to get some work experience – just think about the kind of companies you want to work for – and then drop them an email, call them or go and see them in person. It’s a good idea to get a basic CV together and be ready to answer questions about why you want to do work experience at that company. If you don’t have a career or specific company in mind then doing any kind of work will give you valuable skills in timekeeping, responsibility and self-motivation.

2.      Take a day trip to Uni

If you are going to Uni in September then you’ve probably already visited your University – but how long did you spend there? A few hours? How about jumping on a train with a few mates and really starting to get to know the place you’ll spend the next 3 or so years. It can give you a real head start before your course begins and give you vital information like where the supermarkets are!

3.      Volunteer

At 121 Home Tutors we happen to think volunteering is one of the most rewarding and enriching things you can do with your time. There are hundreds of volunteering opportunities in the UK and abroad – and there’s something to suit everyone – from building schools in Africa, to fundraising to helping out at events. You can find information here

4.      Learn a new skill

Chances are you’ve been so busy the last few months you’ve had no time to just concentrate on you and what you like. When was the last time you learnt something that you really enjoyed? The holidays are the perfect time to join a club or class and develop or polish up a skill – from Zumba to learning French – check out Plings for classes, events and things to do.  There’s always the option to work one to one with a specialised tutor.

5.      Travel

If you’ve done A Levels languages what will you do with them now? How about taking those skills and enjoying everything that another country has to offer? Check out options like Interail and turn your holiday into an adventure.

If you’d like to know more about learning a new skill over the summer then contact us at 121 Home Tutors – we offer one to one language tuition including French and Spanish across Manchester and  Cheshire.

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Exams are over (for now!)

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

The exam season is finally over and it’s time for teens to take a well-earned rest. But then they have six (or more) long weeks stretching ahead of them and hours and hours of time to while away. The summer holidays are a great opportunity to catch up and/or work on areas where students might have struggled this academic year.

This is the perfect time for Year 9 students who are going into their GCSE years to work on subjects they’ve struggled with. If your child is in Year 9 and will start working towards their iGCSE (often in independent schools and perceived as harder than a traditional GCSE)  then summer tutoring can help them get a headstart.

And if your child is in Year 10 or 12 then they’ll be on their way to final GCSE and A Level exams in the next year – this is the summer that could make all the difference to how they enter one of the most important years of their life.  Summer catch ups and study aren’t just for those who’ve struggled a bit, it’s a chance for every student to get ahead or just make sure their brain doesn’t turn to mush in the space of six weeks.

It might seem daft to say that students can fall behind in such a short space of time – but in a month and a half (even longer for independent and boarding schools) the skills they’ve built up during the year can quickly disappear. It means they often start the year struggling to find their feet.  When we talk to parents and students we find the areas they most struggle with at the start of the year (after the long summer break) are modern languages (so French, Spanish etc), Maths and Science. It’s usually because these are the trickiest subjects for most students and all of these subjects combine using complex skills with learning a lot of knowledge. So for example they have to develop skills such as writing up experiments or solving equations alongside taking in knowledge of names of compounds or lists of vocabulary and noun formations. So how can we help them stay on top without destroying all the fun of the summer holidays?

The secret is to find fun ways of engaging the brain without making it feel like learning.

  • If your child is learning a language, maybe French or Spanish, then visit the country for a trip or holiday. Encourage them to use the language but also know that just being around it will utlise their skills (such as reading and comprehension).
  • Visit museums and exhibitions – places like MOSI (The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester) aren’t just for young children. There’s stuff for children of all ages (and even better it will entertain them for a whole day).
  • Keep them reading – encourage them to read their favourite books, invest in some new reading material and if they are willing get them to cast an eye over their textbooks.
  • Use the resources you have for educational purposes – yes they are probably already permanently glued to the television or internet, so encourage them to find programmes relevant to their study (Braniac for Science for example).
  • Think about using a private tutor – tutors don’t have to teach in a classroom style and an hour or two a week could be just what your child needs to go into the next year brimming with confidence.

If you live in Greater Manchester Cheshire and you’d like to find out more about how summer holiday tutoring can help your child –in tricky subjects like Maths, Science and modern languages –get in touch with 121 Home Tutors.

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