Selecting a Good Math Tutor
Finding a good math tutor can be difficult, but there are several questions you can ask to narrow your search. You can ask about each prospective tutor's training and qualifications, as well as the type of tutoring environment he or she will provide. One of the most important factors to consider is price, but sometimes the better qualified tutor is worth the extra money.
There are many students of all ages who struggle with math,
and a good math tutor can help these students obtain a better grasp of the subject. Whether you are looking for your own tutor, or your child needs a tutor, selecting the right one can be difficult. Some people who offer instruction and guidance are still students themselves. Although they may be more affordable, their teaching methods may not be as good as some other tutors. Online tutoring may also be more reasonably priced, but you will have to worry about distractions in your environment. Unfortunately, most people are restricted by what type of service they can afford instead of which one is best. If you are searching for a math tutor for your child, you may want to consider spending the extra money on a better qualified instructor.
A trained and certified math tutor is usually most effective at teaching the material. Certified instructors are typically more expensive, especially if you want one-on-one sessions. If you cannot afford that type of personalized tutoring for yourself or your child, you still have options. Some tutors are referred by word of mouth from your friends or relatives. The internet is also a valuable tool for finding well-qualified individuals. However, you cannot trust every site on the internet, so you will want to ask for proof of the tutor's certifications and training. Asking about the person's training and qualifications is the first step to finding the right tutor.
After you have found a few instructors who meet your criteria for qualifications, there are many questions you can ask to find the perfect math tutor. You can ask about the learning environment that each person will provide. Some will offer to tutor you or your child at your home. This is not always ideal, because there may be several distractions at your own home to inhibit the learning process. Wherever the teaching sessions will occur should be free of distractions to allow you or your child to focus on the material.
When you are looking for a math tutor for your child, you may want to ask about documentation of tutoring sessions online. This can provide you with an easy way to view your child's progress and determine how well the extra instruction is working. You will, of course, want to ask about the cost of tutoring, but you should also ask about the length and frequency of sessions. Many tutors provide minimum sessions of 60 minutes for teaching the material, and 30 minutes for reviewing homework. Since most instructors charge a specific amount per hour, the number of sessions per week will most likely depend on what you can afford.
One of the most important aspects of successful tutoring is the instructor's ability to identify the student's strengths and weaknesses. This will help the instructor anticipate the concepts that the student may find more difficult to grasp. You may also want to ask the prospective math tutors if they look ahead with students to upcoming lessons they will receive in school. This extra step can greatly help you to prepare for your next class and have questions ready to ask your teacher during his or her lecture.
