Posts Tagged ‘Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc’

« Older Entries

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.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc, General | No Comments »

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.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in General | No Comments »

August babies less likely to go to University

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

If you are the mum or dad of an August baby then you probably well remember that first day at the school gate, watching your four year old go bustling along with children months older them. You may be the parent of a child who has just started school and you are suddenly acutely aware that they seem months behind ‘older’ children in Reception. A recent study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) discovered a link between the month a child is born in and what they tend to do once they leave school. The study concluded that children born in August (so 11 months younger than the eldest children) were 20% less likely to go to top flight universities. The study also revealed that teachers regard August babies as less academically capable. So if you are an August baby or the parent of one what you can do to ensure academic success?

-          Be actively involved in your child’s education. It could be as simple as reading and talking to them from an early age. You should have constant interaction with school and their class teacher to make sure they aren’t slipping behind and you are doing what you can at home.

-          Emotional and social development. August babies don’t just suffer from academic lag; the few months between the ages of 4 and 5 generally feature a great deal of social and emotional development. It’s worth encouraging activities and relationships that build confidence.

-          Consider tutoring. At 121 Home Tutors, we help all kinds of students (not just August babies!) but it might be that their early start at school has put them at a slight disadvantage. Private tutoring, even at primary school level, can help tackle problem areas early on and help your child develop into a confident student in the classroom. You can read more about primary tutoring in Manchester with 121 Home Tutors here.

If you’d like to know more about primary school tutoring and private tuition in subjects including English and Maths then contact 121 Home Tutors. We have primary level tutors across Manchester and Cheshire (including Knutsford, Macclesfield, Didsbury and Wilmslow).

Tags: , ,
Posted in Primary | No Comments »

Why using an agency to find a tutor is a good idea

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

At 121 Home Tutors we’re very aware that when you take on a private tutor you are inviting a stranger into your home.

And this person is going to be spending intensive alone time with your child.  The most important thing when choosing a tutor for your child is that you (and your child) feel completely comfortable with them. If you have any niggling doubts then the tutor isn’t right for you. It’s important that both you and your child get to know your tutor well and build a trusting relationship. Many tutors prefer a parent to stay with the child to protect all parties and this can be a good idea to build the bond up during the first few visits. It’s a relationship that has to work both ways – both the child and parents need to be involved, interested and understand the tutoring process to get the most out of it.  Your child needs to find the best method of working to get the most out of tutoring, some won’t work well if you are hanging around so it’s worth discussing this in detail with your tutor. You can talk about whether tutoring in your home or the tutor’s home is the best option.

We have a rigorous recruiting processes which include full and continual background checks and ongoing monitoring through student and parent feedback. One of the advantages of using an agency rather than an individual is that we can carry out all the checks you need to keep your child safe. If you are looking for a tutor then these are some of the steps we go through:

-          Checking their qualifications and assessing their suitability for private tuition – our tutors include current teachers, ex-teachers, retired teachers, professional tutors, college teachers, trainers, lecturers and expert professionals from specific fields.

-          We check at least two references for each tutor; one academic and one from a current/former employer.

-          We check for proof of identity and address. We check their passport, driving licence and utility bills.

-          We regularly keep in contact with and meet our tutors. It’s a good opportunity for training and for us to share tutoring ideas.

But don’t agencies cost more?

Answer – not necessarily.  At 1-2-1 Home Tutors we ask our prospective tutors the fees they currently charge or the fees they hope to obtain. Sometimes a  tutor will have a fee expectation or charging structure which, from our experience,  we know to be overpriced and not competitive in the subject area/level they tutor. While some tutors will find students willing to pay the higher price we would recommend the tutor re-consider their fee structure to give the client a better deal (and  the tutor more tutees).  By acting as an intermediary we can offer advice to students, parents and tutors about the fees that are realistic in our area - we also keep our fee structure within these realistic limits. 

Finding a tutor on the ‘open market’ can lead to parents/students paying above average for a tutor and a higher fee doesn’t necessarily mean the tutor is more experienced in the subjects they tutor (we often find that it is the newer, less experienced tutors  that have the higher fee expectation; maybe because they don’t know the marketplace in the area so well).  There may also be costs involved in advertising for a tutor or obtaining their contact details.

If you are looking for a trusted personal tutor for GCSEs, A Levels and 11+ in Manchester and Cheshire then drop 121 Home Tutors a line today.

Tags: ,
Posted in Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc | No Comments »

Tutoring helping children secure Oxbridge places

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

The Independent recently revealed that more than 100 states schools are paying a private company to tutor their brightest pupils on how to get a place at Oxford or Cambridge. This news has come at the same time as a report from the Sutton Trust that shows that most people who get places at Oxford and Cambridge are from selective state grammar or independent schools.

Getting a place at Oxford or Cambridge has never been easy – they turn away around 8,000 applications each year and expect pupils to gain A* grades at A Level.

Now it seems it isn’t just parents who want to use tutors to help their child gain a place at Oxbridge but also the schools. In the last few years it has become more acceptable for both parents and teachers to seek the help of an outside tutoring company or private tutor to help them get a child into Oxford or Cambridge.

Specialised tutors can help in a number of ways:

  • Prepare and help your child for exams throughout the year so they get the grades they need to get into Oxbridge – because getting a place is so competitive these universities won’t accept lower grades so you need to be on top academically. It’s worth thinking about university before GCSEs – when students apply to university they will only have their GCSEs (and possibly AS and predicted A Level results). Their grades at GCSE will need to be as good as possible (usually A*).
  • Coach on interview techniques – Oxbridge interviews can often be used to test how you cope under pressure, so the interviewer may throw unexpected questions your way.
  • Help with test preparation – you might be asked to take a written test or engage in a healthy debate, you need to know how to handle this situation.

Oxford and Cambridge do offer a number of opportunities for students from lower income households, if you contact the universities they can tell you about these schemes.

There are two main things a private tutor can help you with – building your confidence and helping you develop as an independent thinker – these are two key skills that Oxbridge are looking for. We can’t wave a magic wand and guarantee a place at Oxbridge and any private tutoring company or personal tutor claiming to do so should be avoided.

If you’d like to know more about Oxbridge tutoring then call 121 Home Tutors on 01625 531 630. We work with students across Manchester and Cheshire.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in A level, Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc, Entrance Tests & 11+ | No Comments »

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in General, Learn a language | No Comments »

Do I really need a tutor for my primary-aged child?

Friday, July 8th, 2011

This month we’re exploring tutoring for primary school children. The idea of tutoring very young children makes some people nervous – to them it smacks of hot-housing and they’d prefer to keep their children as children. We absolutely agree that kids should enjoy their childhood. But we also hear from parents how trouble at school and falling behind can dramatically affect their child’s confidence and impact across all their subjects (even when they only struggle in one). At 121 Home Tutors we work with children of all ages – from the first few years at primary right up to A Level and University and we know early intervention can make the difference between a child who loves school and one who you have to drag out of bed every day.

So what kind of tutoring can we offer to primary school children?

  • Primary tutoring in literacy and numeracy (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • Primary tutoring in mental maths (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • Primary English tutoring (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • Primary Maths tutoring  (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)
  • 11+ (Eleven plus) tutoring (across Manchester and Cheshire including Knutsford and Macclesfield)

Why would you consider private tutoring for your primary school child?

1.      You want to get them into a selective state/grammar school with an 11+/entrance test.

2.      Your child needs individual support in a specific area.

3.      Your child has needs (such as learning difficulties) and their learning would benefit from the support of a private tutor.

4.      Your child is one of the youngest in the year and seems to be struggling.

5.      Your child isn’t responding to teaching methods in a big class, even though you know they are capable.

6.      Your child lacks confidence in a subject.

7.      You’d like to educate your child at home and need some support.

8.      Your child is ‘acting out’ about school/they seem unhappy at school.

9.      You want to enhance your child’s experience at school.

10.  Your child is bored or not challenged enough at school.

If you’d like to know more about primary school private tutoring and tuition in subjects including English and Maths then contact 121 Home Tutors. We have primary level tutors across Manchester and Cheshire (including Knutsford and Macclesfield).

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc, Entrance Tests & 11+, Primary | No Comments »

Want to work with a celebrity tutor?

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Ok, we have to confess it’s not going to be Robert Pattinson or Cameron Diaz tutoring you if you call 121 Home Tutors. We spotted an article in the Independent this week  about students in Hong Kong and how their obsession with exams and private tutoring is turning some tutors into rich celebrities.

The education system in Hong Kong is highly pressurised and students are expected to consistently perform to the highest standards.  This is partly because there is intense competition for a limited number of university places.

Because students (and their parents) are so keen to succeed, it has created a demand for more private tutors. In Hong Kong private tutoring is viewed as an investment in education and the best tutors can command hundreds of dollars for each session. Rather than focussing on the kind of one to one specialised tutoring we offer at 121 Home Tutors, students in Hong Kong tend to enrol in tutorial schools (an estimated 100,000 students every year). They are taught by highly paid, self-styled ‘tutor kings’.

One problem with this highly competitive exam culture and tutoring system is that students often take on more tutoring than they can cope with – often 5 or 6 subjects. At 121 Home Tutors we recommend that students limit private tutoring to one or two subjects, usually their weakest because anymore than that creates additional pressure that can cause more problems.

So the question is will education and tutoring go the same way in the UK? Will we become more competitive now the university system is introducing high fees and changing under our new Government?

A poll carried out a couple of years ago  indicated that a fifth of secondary school students have had some form of private tutoring and at 121 Home Tutors we have seen the numbers of students requesting one to one tuition increase since then. We know in some parts of the country there is a great deal of competition to get into independent schools and we often work with students to prepare them for entrance exams. We haven’t seen much evidence of increased competition for degree places except in areas where there is already a longstanding tradition of high entry requirements and a battle to get onto courses (such as medicine). It will be very interesting to watch what happens as the introduction of higher university fees and potential increased competition starts to take hold over the next couple of years.

If you’d like (non-celebrity!) exam and private tutoring in Manchester and Cheshire for GCSE, AS and A2 Level subjects including Maths, English and Science then contact 121 Home Tutors today.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc, Entrance Tests & 11+, General | No Comments »

How to start learning a new language

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

This month we’ll be focussing on languages – bringing you hints and tips on picking up a new language whether you want to learn holiday Spanish or business French.

You’ve decided you’d love to start learning a new language. Maybe you are going to Spain during the summer holidays and for once would love to be able to order something in fluent Spanish. Or maybe you are thinking about investing in a holiday home in France but would like a better grasp of the language before you part with your money.

Learning a new language can be tricky – it does require a lot of time and effort. Just think about how long it took you to become ‘fluent’ in the first language you spoke as a child – usually several years. So you can’t expect to have a few lessons and converse as naturally as a native of the country.  It’s a good idea to have something to keep you focussed to motivate you as time goes on – maybe a picture of your holiday destination?

Here are some top tips for starting to learn a new language:

1.      Get the basics right

Start with either a book or tape of the language you want to learn (or a private tutor if you prefer) and practice some of the basics. These could be commonly used words and phrases (thank you, hello, how are you). Work on pronunciation and the rhythm of the words.  Keep listening and repeating until you feel confident.

2.      Audio books and workbooks

Listening to audio books, iTunes or a native speaker will help both your listening and pronunciation skills.  Workbooks where you can practise exercises will help you ‘think’ in the language.

3.      Grammar matters

If you are going to be understood then you need to get the grammar basics right. The best way to do this is to get a workbook or work with a private tutor. You need to understand how a verb works in all its forms (called verb conjugation) and how the past, present and future tenses work.

4.      One on one tutoring

Private one on one tutoring is one of the fastest and most effective ways to learn a new language and can be tailored to give you the specific language you need. You can work with a private tutor on the basics like grammar and pronunciation but they can also help with general conversation and subject specific knowledge (language you might need for a job).

5.      Practice

Whenever you get the chance to practice then take it. If you are learning Spanish then take a trip down to your local tapas bar and try out your new skills. Don’t be afraid of trying out your language on native speakers, they can help you with pronunciation (and probably appreciate the effort you’ve made to speak in their language).

If you’d like to know more about learning a language such as French, Spanish or German and you live in Manchester or Cheshire (we cover areas including Bramhall, Hale, Wilmslow, Didsbury and Alderley Edge) then contact 121 Home Tutors today.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc, French, General, German, Learn a language, Spanish | No Comments »

Homeschooling and private tuition

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Homeschooling (sometimes called home learning or home education) is teaching children at home, often by parents but frequently supported by a private tutor.  Some private tutors carry out full time homeschooling instead of parents. Homeschooling in the UK is a legal alternative to your child attending a state, public or private school. It is estimated there are somewhere between 20 and 80,000 home educated children in the UK.

Why homeschool?

Here are the some of the reasons we’ve heard from parents:

-          Bad school environment, or a particularly bad local school

-          Bullying in school

-          To achieve better grades and results

-          Religious reasons

-          A feeling that it will develop a strong independent personality

-          Unable to afford private education but value the smaller class sizes

-          The one on one attention afforded by home education

-          Objecting to what is taught in school

-          A lifestyle/parenting choice

-          Not living near a school

-          Child has a long term health condition

How does it work?

As we mentioned above it’s often the parents who do the teaching but they sometimes work hand in hand with a private tutor or a tutor does the teaching.

×        You don’t need to be a qualified teacher to teach your children at home

×        You don’t need to follow the National Curriculum

×        You don’t need to have a set timetable or structure

×        You don’t need to carry out Key Stage or Standard Assessment Tests.

But…

1. You do have to ensure your child receives efficient full time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude and any special educational needs they may have  (Section 7 of the Education Act 1996).

2. Many Local Education Authorities (LEAs) offer help and guidance on homeschooling and they are websites and forums where homeschooling parents exchange information and ideas (Education http://www.education-otherwise.org, http://www.home-education.org.uk and http://home-ed.info.

3. You are free to use libraries, different publishers’ resources and distance and online learning.

4. There are a growing number of local homeschooling groups which can help with the social and outing side of education.

At 121 Home Tutors we have primary and secondary level tutors who specialise in daytime tutoring. These tutors cover most subjects at primary and secondary level including essentials like Maths and English. If you’re a homeschooling parent then you might particularly struggle with subjects you didn’t study at a higher level at school – so for whatever reason you didn’t do Geography or History GCSE or O Levels. This is exactly where a private tutor can be a godsend, they can bring their expert knowledge to fill in any gaps you have and ensure your child is get the rounded educational experience you want for them.

If you’re looking for a private tutor who specialises in daytime or homeschooling tuition in Manchester and Cheshire (covering all primary and secondary subjects including English and Maths) then give us a call.

We have tutors who specialise in daytime tutoring, in areas across Manchester and Cheshire including Didsbury, Stretford, Sale, Urmston and Wilmslow. Call today and we can help you find the right tutor.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Choosing a tutor, what to look for etc, General | No Comments »

« Older Entries