kurt.physics said:
I am considering doing tutoring in mathematics for years 7 to 11 including adv and extension.
have to say i agree with namu here. i really wouldn't suggest tutoring someone in your own year. firstly, even if you are super fantastic at the subject, having a bit more time to "absorb" the full content is important - especially because you'll find that Yr11 and 12 maths is not always so easy. you want to make sure you're done and dusted with everything yourself before you start tutoring it. secondly, as namu says, it'll be harder to find people who will be tutored by someone their own age. (not that i'm doubting your abilities or anything!! ps you are doing yr11 this year right?)
kurt.physics said:
How do i start it off?
What do tutors do? Would i reteach what they are currently learning in class? Do i ask if they have any problems with what they are learning? Do i teach them different stuff?
it's a good idea to spend the first session seeing where they're at, even a free one. ie. doing a really quick summary of the course, getting them to talk you through some sample Qs, reading through their past assessments etc. you can use this to decide how to approach the rest of your sessions with them.
in my experience as a maths tutor i've noticed 3 kinds of "tutees":
1.
people who are really quite smart and hardworking, and probably only want a tutor because they are perfectionists paranoid about complete course coverage. They probably just need someone to discuss homework problems with. so you should just tell these people to bring their own problems to discuss with you. you might teach them the occasional new "trick". these people might not need regular tutoring, perhaps just casually at important times eg. before exams
2.
people who need to revise/ reinforce class content. these people will be reasonably quick on the uptake, and are usually recalling rather than relearning content. for these people, brief explanations+notes will be useful in your sessions. get a set of problems that test different aspects of a topic, try to get them to do some examples and let them talk you through it. these people tend to have more issues with HOW to study rather than WHAT to study.
3.
people who are struggling/ don't pay attention in class. these people may have shocking maths teachers, may have little motivation towards their studies or may simply not be very maths-inclined. often they are getting tutored at the insistence of their parents. these are the people whose sessions you will "structure" the most. you may have to write notes for them during your sessions, reteach them content, do examples yourself and then get them to do some with you. giving them a few set Qs for each week will also be helpful.
it's also a good idea to do a quick recap of the last week at the start of each session. i also find that most of my students need a few minutes each session for problems with homework/classwork.
other things:
- don't go any longer than 1hr at a time!!! both you and your student will be bored and exhausted
- prices: should be based on what level maths your tutoring and how "experienced" you are. of course it depends on what people are willing to pay as well. but $10 an hr is way too low! i started out with one yr10 girl when i was in yr12, charged $25/hr. now that i've finished my hsc, got new tutees all in yrs11-12, i'm charging $30/hr. i'd start def at $20/hr at least. that is absolutely slave wages for a tutor you have no idea!
- it's a good idea to invest in some of those "excel" maths books or similar so you have something to work from. textbooks are good too
- finally, remember that the benefit of tutoring is one-on-one learning! so above all else, it's really important that your relationship with your "tutees" is casual and friendly. people work harder for people they like and respect, so this should be top on your list of priorities! although i'm sure you know that already...
if i think of anything else i'll post again.
but anyway, good luck with your tutoring (should you decide to do it)! it's a rewarding job that's fun and reasonably well-paid!
