A private English tutor is an individual who teaches students outside of the classroom. This person usually works with students who require additional assistance beyond what is provided by teachers or professors, and the private English tutor may be employed by a school or work as a freelance tutor. Working in a one-on-one setting during private tutoring lessons ensures that the student receives more attention than he or she would in a classroom full of other students. The tutor’s grade level of instruction will be determined by his or her qualifications and preferences.
Even native English speakers find it difficult to master the English language, so a private English tutor can assist a student in developing stronger English skills as they relate to the classroom material. This requires the private English tutor to assess the student’s current ability levels and learn about the topics covered in the student’s classes. If the tutor is employed by the student’s school, he or she may work with the student’s primary instructor to develop a tutoring plan. If the tutor is a freelancer or works outside of the school, he or she will be responsible for assessing the student and developing a tutoring plan on their own.
If the private English tutor works for the school, the school is likely to pay the tutor an hourly wage. If the tutor is a freelancer, he or she will price his or her services competitively with other tutoring services. Independent tutors should be thoroughly researched to ensure that they are qualified for the job; English tutors should have a college degree in English or related studies, as well as some teaching experience, though this is not always required. Tutors who work at a school will benefit from teacher referrals, whereas independent tutors will need to advertise their services in order to find students in need of instruction.
Unlike a primary teacher, a private English tutor does not have to prepare lesson plans or lecture students. Rather, the tutor will assess the student’s needs and devise a tutoring strategy to aid in the student’s comprehension of key concepts. This could include giving practice tests, providing learning tools and aids, discussing topics with students, or coming up with new ways to teach concepts to a specific student. Each tutoring session will be unique and tailored to the needs of the student.