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Published October 21, 2021

What Should You Look For When Choosing an Online Tutor?

By Kirstan Norman
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There are many online tutors available, making it somewhat difficult to choose the perfect one for your child. It’s crucial to find the right tutor, as this will determine how much your child enjoys the lessons and how effectively they learn. In this guide, we at Tutorful share a few factors that you should consider when choosing a tutor for your child:

  • The tutor’s experience
  • The speed at which the tutor responds to messages
  • Reviews about the tutor
  • The cost of the lessons
  • Your child’s opinion about the tutor

Let’s discuss these points in detail.

How Much Experience Do They Have?

The capabilities of a tutor are usually influenced by two factors. The first is their experience with the subject matter, and the second is their experience with tutoring. Both of these are important. Tutors’ knowledge in their respective subjects can vary greatly. For instance, for subjects like A-Level Physics, tutors are expected to have a high level of knowledge, at least equivalent to or higher than the level they’re teaching. If they lack the relevant experience, they may not be able to answer all your child’s questions and might only cover some topics superficially.

On the other hand, for less academic subjects like beginner piano, a tutor with a few years of playing experience may be sufficient for a beginner. Besides subject knowledge, the tutor’s teaching experience is also crucial. An experienced tutor can explain things better and make your child feel more comfortable. However, keep in mind that more experienced tutors tend to charge more.

How Responsive Are They?

You should take note of how quickly a tutor responds when you first reach out to them. A quick response is important in case you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson. A responsive tutor can also answer any questions that your child may have about their work. At Tutorful, we show you how long it normally takes a tutor to respond, which helps encourage our tutors to respond quickly.

Do They Have Good Reviews?

Checking through a tutor’s reviews can help you determine whether they’re a good fit. These reviews let you use other people’s experiences to help you make a decision. A tutor with more reviews might be better than a tutor with fewer but higher-rated reviews. Remember to read through the reviews for each tutor before you make your final decision, and reach out to the tutors you’re interested in to understand the context of the reviews.

Do They Fit Your Budget?

Tutoring can be a long-term commitment, so it’s important to stick to your budget. Tutorful shows you how much tutors charge per hour, so there are no hidden costs. If a tutor that you really like is slightly over your budget, consider if there are any sacrifices you could make elsewhere to afford them.

What Does Your Child Think?

Ultimately, your child is the one who will be learning, so their opinion is crucial. Arrange an introductory lesson and observe whether the tutor’s teaching style suits your child and whether the tutor understands your child’s needs. After the lesson, ask your child for their opinion about the tutor.

At Tutorful, our first-lesson guarantee means that if you didn’t click with the tutor, we’ll help you find another one – and even pay for the first lesson!

Final Thoughts

Choosing a tutor takes time and research. It’s a big decision, but fortunately, Tutorful makes it easy to find the right tutor. We show you their cost, experience, and reviews to help you make your choice.

If you’re feeling unsure, our Essential Guide to Tutoring can give you more tips on what to look for in a tutor.

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