What to Expect From Your Tutoring Sessions
Once you and your child have decided to enroll in a tutoring program, you may wonder what to expect during your first few sessions. Procedures may vary depending on the tutoring program's method, but there are some basic protocols that most programs follow. This article includes some of the basics.
Skill Level Test
Many tutoring programs begin by giving students a skill level test. If your child is being tutored for several different subjects, the test should include all of them. On the other hand, if your child is being tutored for a single subject, the test will only address that subject. Many of these tests resemble the standardized multiple-choice tests that most children takes at the end of the year for the state education department.
This test is given so your child can be placed with other students with a similar skill level if you're having him or her attend group tutoring. It can also help a tutor determine what material your child needs to review if he or she is receiving one-on-one tutoring. The professionals at Study Guides and Strategies (www.studygs.net) report that these tests aren't meant to diagnose learning disabilities. They say that a professional academic counselor or medical professional should test for learning disabilities.
Tutor's Conduct
You may want to discuss with your child beforehand how the tutor will be working with him or her. According to Candice Kramer of PBS Campus (www.pbs.org/campus), a tutor is like a coach. He or she can provide additional explanations, help with assignments and offer emotional support. She also says that a good tutor asks more questions than he or she answers because the tutor is trying to encourage students to come up with their own answers. Remember a tutor isn't there to give your child answers - a tutor's role is to help the student grow by gaining a better understanding of the material. Your child needs to understand why the answer is what it is rather than simply knowing what the answer is.
Study Plan
Many tutors will ask students what their expectations are for their sessions. Is he or she trying to catch up or stay ahead? By asking students what their goals are, the tutors can tailor a study plan to meet these specific goals. The type of study plan can vary depending on the tutor and the methods he or she chooses to use. Some tutors ask students to complete additional tasks, such as research, in order to gain more background information on the subject. These tutors may also use outside study materials like workbooks or worksheets to help increase the student's understanding of a lesson and help him or build some confidence. Other tutors may only work on the assignments that the student brings to the session. Most tutors will expect assignments to be completed or attempted before the session, so the student can come prepared with questions, making the session more productive.
These are a few of the basics of tutoring. The director of the program may review more procedures with you as you begin to discuss their approaches. Consider taking your child with you to these meetings to help him or her become more prepared for the sessions.
