The Role Of The English Tutor

In our current difficult socio-economic climate, with its pressurised school classroom environments; it seems that many youngsters do not always have access to individual specialised academic coaching, when they need it most. Such support is, in my experience, essential in helping youngsters make significant levels of academic progress. My own personal academic success is due, in part, to the significant amount of individual tuition I received as a child, being coached in areas that proved challenging. Unfortunately, many of our youngsters do not have individual access, on a 1:1 basis, with a teaching professional in school, who has the time to help them practise the English Language skills delivered to them in the classroom; as a result many of pupils are struggling to make the progress that we know that they are capable of.

1:1 tuition provides sensitive, focused and above all a detailed opportunity to tackle areas that are proving challenging for pupils. Pupils who have been previously unable to develop ideas adequately, begin to expound upon their thoughts and employ the language techniques which were previously a mystery to them, in order to secure the coveted A*-C grades. This is achieved through comprehensive coaching that allows students to explore word by word, the effects and use of language and punctuation, in an unpressured environment that allows them to begin to `catch up` with their peers. One of my biggest joys, as an English tutor is when tutees, fall over themselves to tell me that they have used the sentence structures and points of grammar I have shown them, or developed an idea in their writing, for their English classroom teachers. Success feels good.

One of the biggest benefits of an English Tuition program is that pupils have the opportunity to progress at a faster pace -having `on demand` an English Teaching Professional who can expertly and immediately spot areas of weakness and offer immediate solutions and training - this has truly enabled many tutees in my charge to begin to flourish and excel, gaining confidence and much needed self-esteem. I have witnessed and helped countless leaners cross the boundaries of not only the Ds into Cs category, but from Cs to As and even Es to Cs at GCSE. As a tutor I have unique opportunity and responsibility to influence not only the knowledge and practical use of English Language, for pupils who are struggling, but to discover the very individual barriers to learning that have prevented these pupils from reaching higher levels of success. I have found that through careful relationship building and coaching I have been able to positively affect the thought processes, misconceptions and self-esteem issues of my tutees and help them overcome these obstacles and begin to grow as writers and thinkers.

In my experience, as both an English Tutor and Teacher of English, the question isn`t whether a pupil can progress the three or more levels of progress required, but whether we, as educators, parents and guardians, can intervene and meet the needs to of those who fall short of the target, at an early stage. As a private tutor I have the privilege and luxury of coaching pupils at both KS2, KS3 and KS4, as parents see the need for intervention in their child`s communication abilities - I have watched these youngster grow and mature into young adults who are able to express themselves clearly, to the point where my services as a tutor are no longer required.

Tuition is important and forms a valuable part of a child`s journey towards success; meeting their need to be coached.