Posts Tagged ‘tutor’

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.

 

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.

Revision over Christmas

Monday, December 19th, 2011

The festive season is almost here and it’s a lovely long two-week break for students to relax and recover after a hard first term. But lots of students have exams as soon as they get back in January so although time off is important it’s also vital to set up some revision and study time during the break. We know as soon as the new term starts A Level and AS Level exams will be in full swing and some GCSE modules have exams in January. You might also be sitting entrance tests exams in the new year.

We asked the 121 Home Tutors team for some top revisions tips over the festive season.

  1. Know what you are going back to. The biggest mistake some of our students make is that they have no idea what they are studying for after Christmas. Listen to what your teachers tell you and if you really aren’t sure what exams you are sitting (and therefore what you need to study) then go and ask someone.
  2. Make a plan. Once you know which exams you are sitting then don’t go crazy and try and cram all your revision in at once (or ignore it!). Sit down and make a day-to-day plan of what you need to revise and in what order. Little and often works best with plenty of breaks to keep your mind and body fresh.
  3. Don’t ignore your problems areas. The temptation can be to revise the easy stuff first and ignore the trickier parts but you should actually tackle the hard subjects and topics first, that way you have plenty of time to go into detail and revisit the areas where you struggle.
  4. Read through our blogs for lots of top tips on revision and preparing for exams.
  5. Develop revision techniques that work for you. There is no rule that says you have to work at a desk; maybe you’d be better recording notes and then listening to them while you run? Or maybe you’d work better verbally asking a friend questions (and being tested in return)?
  6. Make time for fun – it’s important to keep revision going during the holidays (we know, no fun!) but keep some time aside to enjoy friends and family. You’ll return to study refreshed and relaxed.
  7. Book in some extra time with your tutor. Most tutors can squeeze in an extra session in the run up to exams to discuss any problem areas and give your confidence a boost. 121 Home Tutors have private tutors across Manchester and Cheshire that can help you with your 11 plus, GCSE’s and A levels. Contact us today

Does passing the 11 plus exam guarantee a place at grammar school?

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Last week several newspapers reported that almost half of the children who took and passed the 11 plus (grammar school selection exam) were rejected because there simply weren’t enough places for them. Just under 30,000 children took the 11 plus and about 14,000 passed but many did not receive a place because they maybe lived further away than another child who also passed the exam. That meant that around 6000 students who passed the 11+ didn’t get a place. There are 164 grammar schools across the UK and competition for entry is fierce. For example, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham in Cheshire receives four applications for each place it has. 121 Home Tutors work with students who want to prepare for the 11 plus exam for schools in and around Manchester and Cheshire including some of the most competitive grammar schools in the country such as Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Loreto Grammar School, Sale Grammar School, St. Ambrose College, Hale Barns,  Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School.  Some parents compare getting a place at grammar school with winning the lottery!

So what are 121 Home Tutor’s top three tips for improving your chances of getting a place at grammar school?

-          First read our blogs on preparing for the 11 plu

-          Your next best step is to speak to the grammar school (or schools) in question and check their criteria for entry – which students take priority? Is it those with a sibling at the school? Those who live geographically closest? Obviously there are some of these issues that you can’t easily overcome but if you know the criteria and how many children are applying for places you can take a realistic look at whether your child is likely to get a place.

-          Get a tutor. The 11 plus is not your average exam – it tests skills that aren’t taught in school and the best way to get a good score is to work with an experienced tutor who knows each aspect of the 11 + and can help your child build up their confidence and enter the exam with the necessary skills.

If you need help with tuition for grammar school entrance tests and 11+ then contact us at 121 Home Tutors. We help children across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Chorlton, Hale, Gatley, Didsbury, Sale, Stretford, Trafford areas, Wilmslow and Withington pass the entrance test to get into Altrincham Girls Grammar and Altrincham Boys

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.

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

 

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.

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.

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).

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.