Q&A for How to Be a Good Tutor

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What should I do as a first time tutor?

Ted Dorsey, MA
Academic Tutor
Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Ted Dorsey, MA

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

Make sure you and the student are the right fit for each other. Tutoring should feel productive right away. If it doesn't, you might not be the right tutor for that student, which is fine. If this is the case, make sure to help the student find a tutor who can better meet their needs and learning style.

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Question

How can kids become successful tutors?

Community Answer

The best way to become a successful tutor as a kid is to explain the concepts in a way that someone your age or younger will understand, as sometimes teachers at school can explain things in a complicated way. I personally find that I learn better from people closer to my age, as they usually "speak my language." You could either tutor people your own age in subjects you excel in now, or you could tutor younger kids in subjects you did well in previously.

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Question

Does a tutor need to be certified?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. A tutor simply has to be well-educated in a subject and able to teach it.

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Question

What are the best ways to tutor math?

Community Answer

I find that the best way to tutor math is to find good worksheets that pertain to what they are working on or struggling with. You should try to see what they can do on their own when given a worksheet, and then help with the things that they got wrong or don't understand.

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What is the best way to motivate my brother to study more?

Community Answer

Find out what type of learner your brother is. Does he learn best through listening? Have him talk about the subject and record him. Then you can listen to the recording. If he likes to move around and be physical, incorporate some of the subject matter and make it a game. If he likes to observe, draw graphs for him about the main ideas of the subject. Have him pretend to be the teacher and you are the student. He has to teach the class to you.

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Can I be a good tutor for young children if I don't have that much education?

Community Answer

As long as you understand the topic you are teaching the younger child, then yes. You do not want to be caught not knowing any of the material.

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Question

How long should the sessions last?

Community Answer

Sessions should be about one hour long.

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Can I tutor someone in my own home?

Community Answer

Of course! As long as the student is okay with it, and you don't get distracted, this is totally fine.

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How do I tutor my 8-year-old sister?

Community Answer

Find out what she is having trouble with and follow the advice above.

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How do I be a good tutor to someone who is sensitive?

Community Answer

Be nice to them a lot, for example if they get upset when you are trying to explain them some concept they don't get properly, talk a little softer for them. Maintain your voice tone low but clear enough to hear. When you are tutoring, take some breaks on something fun, whether it is what-you're-teaching related, or something totally different, make things fun, and for the most part, be softer on them.

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How can I best communicate with my peers as their tutor?

Community Answer

Figure out how they communicate, and don't feel like you have to keep everything serious. Put yourself out there and build relationships.

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