You may be considering tutoring for your child so he or she can excel at school. But while choosing a reputable tutoring service may seem like enough (it is a great start), you’ll need to keep in mind your child’s learning style, major pain points in school, and the reason why certain subjects are not their strongest. These are all ways to ensure tutoring is successful right from the start.
By the end of this article, you should have a better idea as to what type of class size, such as three-on-one tutoring or two-on-one tutoring, will benefit your child the most. Let’s begin with the first point:
Asking
Questions or Taking Their Time?
If your child shows a below-average understanding of a subject, it may be worthwhile to invest in two-on-one tutoring. The tutor will be able to answer questions, and accommodate the pace of your child’s learning style better than in a larger group setting. In fact, for some students, the classroom setting may be the impediment to asking questions; as the chance to ask for clarification may be lost as the class breezes through a lesson plan.
However, some students need a group setting to spark conversation and questions. It’s not uncommon for group learning styles to create a ‘snowball’ effect, where one student’s question creates a cascade effect of questions from others. This allows a student to feel like they can be inquisitive and understand the subject to the fullest extent. While cascading questions can feel disruptive in school settings, three-on-one group tutoring can allow a dialogue, which is what some students need.
Is Shyness a
Factor?
It’s also important to understand the timidness of
your child. Some children may not fully understand the materials
being taught and can be too shy to ask the teacher for clarification.
In two-on-one tutoring, the teacher can properly gauge your child’s
learning needs and tailor a lesson plan for them; or at least allow
your child to ask questions without feeling ridicule from classmates.
Two-on-one tutoring eliminates this common problem.
On the other hand, if your child is confident and has no problem voicing their thoughts and opinions, tutoring in a bigger group could be a great option. As mentioned above, your child’s curiosity — paired with others in the tutoring group — can benefit everyone in the group for optimal learning.
How does your child learn best?
If your child prefers to read and absorb knowledge passively, two-on-one may be better. This type of arrangement puts learning at the forefront. During these lessons, the tutor should be able to pinpoint your child’s strengths and weaknesses. By identifying the areas that can be improved, the tutor can provide personalized lesson plans that help your child excel at school.
A group, or three-on-one setting, may suit your child best if they are able to derive knowledge from a group discussion; whether they participate or just listen. Some children find it beneficial to listen to others speak and to pick up concepts. By listening and participating in discussions, your child’s knowledge of the subject improves. Group tutoring is ideal for children who enjoy interacting with others and sharing knowledge with their peers.
What is your budget?
Rarely is it recommended to use tutoring as a quick fix. Rather, you should treat it as an investment into your child’s future opportunities as an adult. Research and create a list of reputable tutoring agencies and contact them to inquire about the rates they charge.
As you’re making a decision, determine your budget and how much you can realistically put aside for tutoring. You should also consider your child’s learning needs and how they learn best when choosing the type of tutoring services. Also keep in mind the time of day the tutoring service offers, the subjects and even testimonials they might be able to provide.
We hope this article helped you narrow down what you think will work best for your child. It’s important that you pick a tutoring class size that your child can benefit from the most. The right class size will allow your child to learn in a setting that suits them best, so they can succeed at their own pace, as well as with their tests, classes and major assignments.
