3 Myths About Tutoring Debunked.

I decided to become a tutor almost two years ago as a way to not only set up an independent business but also to put my English degree to good use. As the older sister to four much younger siblings and a children`s book buyer, I had experience looking after young children so a foray into a world that combined academia and my own personal life skills seemed ideal. Through fellow friends who also tutor and kind recommendations, I built up a book of North London based contacts and, before I knew it, I was working several times a week. However, I soon found that the phrase `private tutoring` led to raised eyebrows and judgemental stares. This is because in the UK, tutoring has a rotten reputation. Today I`m going to try and debunk a few of the misunderstandings parents may have about private tutoring:

1) Tutors exist purely to hot house children into good schools:

I hate the phrase `hot housing` and sadly it`s one that is lobbied at me often by parents and friends who don`t understand what tutoring is. London-the city I`m based in-is full of fantastic schools both state and private and, because of this, the catchment areas for schools is constantly shrinking. This is why we see parents suddenly going to church every Sunday or diverting their post to a relative`s address: there simply aren`t enough schools in largely populated areas. So yes, competition to get secondary school places is tough (especially in North London) but I have never, ever been asked to drill a child solely for the 11+ exams. Naturally, parents worry about their child`s chances of getting into a good secondary school but all of my regular clients have contacted me at least a year before preparations for the 11+ purely to get their children confident in their reading and writing. For all you skeptics, that myth about `North London Mums` just simply isn`t always true. Also a quick note: we`re not all terrifying battle axes with as much charm as a Victorian governess, many of us just want to help your child be the best they can be!

2) Tutors have zero respect for teachers:

This is a tricky one, I will start by saying that I respect the profession of teaching almost more than any other, it is a purely selfless and incredibly challenging job for anyone. Unfortunately, us tutors do not have the best of reputations amongst Britain`s teachers. In my experience I have had several clients tell me that teachers have actively advised against hiring a tutor, I think this may be because of the perceived notion that parents bring tutors in because they think the school is failing their child. This is not the case, often the common complaint is that parents want some one on one teaching purely because of classroom sizes. If their child is shy and not able to express themselves in classroom debates it often helps to have smaller practice sessions at home, with a friendly face they don`t see everyday at school. What I personally try to offer is an experience different from school, at it`s heart is the aim of academic improvement, but sessions with me are relaxed and tailored to fit the child`s own pace. As somebody who was incredibly shy at school and loathed doing class presentations, I think I`d have benefited greatly from personal coaching, which is why I strive to provide that service today. In conclusion: tutors are not trying do the teacher`s job for them, we are not in anyway undermining the school system, tutors work to help with individual improvement.

3) Tutors are lazy, sub-standard teachers

As I mentioned above, tutoring is a very different job to that of a full time teacher. I have said on several occasions that I have no desire to teach, quite frankly the idea of disciplining a classroom of 20 terrifies me. I made the decision not to become a teacher because I knew that the classroom environment doesn`t suit me. This however does not mean that I don`t spend the majority of my week preparing lessons, examining past papers, writing progress reports and reading various books for various clients. To imply that a tutor is in some way just a rubbish teacher is insulting to both tutors and teachers alike as the style of learning is completely different . I have had several friends make noises about going into tutoring because `it`s flexible hours and easy money` and each time I`ve explained just how much work and effort goes into the job as somebody is paying for your time and it would be disrespectful for the child if you attend a lesson unprepared. Another question that is often asked is `do you ever re-use worksheets?` To put it simply: no. Every child is different and reproducing the same work in an environment eared towards individual learning is ridiculous. Honestly, if you think tutoring is as simple as that, you`re in the wrong job.