During school holidays, and especially after the tumultuous term we’ve just had, no one would argue that our students need a rest. Time away from school brings with it the question of whether they should take a break from their studies, and if so, when school and tutoring should resume.
Whether we realise it or not, many students, parents, and even teachers, believe that tutoring is only necessary during the 9 or 10 weeks of term time, and that it’s only useful when the student has assignments or homework. But that’s not the whole picture. An understanding of the role of a tutor in your child’s education may be helpful at this time.
So what do tutors do?
The role of a ‘tutor’ has more in common with concepts such as ‘guard’, ‘guide’, ‘mentor’, and ‘coach’, compared to ‘teacher’ which is more synonymous with ‘instructor’, or someone who models a procedure or concept.
At Nepean Tutoring, we want to emphasise that tutors are far more than homework helpers. The role of a tutor is to guide students to the point where they become independent learners. Independent learning skills benefit the learner beyond an academic context, equipping them with critical thinking and problem solving skills to carry them into future decision making situations as they step out and live their own lives.
The purpose of tutoring is to guide students to become independent learners through individual attention and a structured approach to skills development. With consistent effort, over time, students are capable of:
- Starting homework and assignments on their own
- Knowing where to find reliable information and what to look for
- Understanding texts and taking notes in their own words
- Developing and articulating their own ideas
Habit coaches affirm that regular practice is fundamental to skill development, whether that be playing the guitar, achieving fluency in French, becoming a prize-winning novelist or a world-famous sportsperson, or learning to read and write.
The benefit of your commitment to a 10-week tutoring package is that scheduling in regular revision allows students to work on their weaknesses and fine-tune vital learning skills before the pressure of keeping up with the homework and assignments begins. It reinforces a habit of learning that is vital for success. The first week of tutoring, particularly for secondary students, should be dedicated to a combination of:
- Goal setting and planning their schedule to balance study with extra-curricular activities
- Revision of difficult concepts
- Instruction on study skills, exam techniques and essay writing
- Encouragement to maintain a positive mindset
When the student doesn’t have specific content from school, tutors use the student’s interests to make the sometimes tiresome work of practice and revision more engaging through activities that encourage curiosity and foster a desire to learn. This is particularly relevant for our younger students.
The skills and confidence to tackle life’s problems independently is the greatest gift that we as parents, tutors, and educators can give to future generations. A week or two of tutoring without the pressures of homework and assignments can make a huge difference in developing curiosity and persistence, which are essential characteristics of learners who successfully adapt knowledge and experiences to solve school and life problems.
Nepean Tutoring is dedicated to providing effective and dynamic educational support and developing foundational skills to equip and inspire the next generation of inquisitive, independent learners. Our 10-week packages ensure that we don’t lose important learning opportunities in that process.