How to Be a Tutor

Patience is a virtue, especially in the world of education! If you are a patient person who likes to show people how to do things, tutoring might be for you. Do you have a knack for a particular subject like English, math or science? Many people need tutors to help them learn new things. Tutors usually teach individual students or small groups. Follow these steps to be a tutor.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Check the qualifications for the type of tutor you want to be. You can tutor in your home, at someone else's home or in an educational setting. Home tutors don't need special qualifications, but if you're going to be working for a tutor company, these companies almost always require a certain level of education from you as well as possible certificates and/or degrees.

2. Decide where and when you want to tutor. You can tutor privately after school and on weekends when children are out of school.

3. Specialize in a subject. Decide what you want to teach. You might want to focus on a particular subject like math or English. Perhaps you can teach a specific level like grade school, high school or college. It is helpful if you specialize in a certain field of study rather than try to be an expert in all fields. You will find that you will book more jobs if you are very knowledgeable in one certain area.

4. Create a resume outlining your area of expertise. Include any volunteer experience, experience working with children, experience helping others and leadership skills. You might want to include a picture with your resume.

5. Determine the ages you want to teach. Teaching children is different than teaching adults. Adults have different needs than children. Volunteer in a school if you want experience working with children.

6. Develop a contract outlining your hours and pay schedule or create a business plan stating your teaching objective, skills, hours and rate. A plan makes you look professional and covers payment details like when you expect to be paid.

7. Advertise locally. You can put ads in local supermarkets, shopping malls and convenience stores but the most effective place to advertise is at the local schools. Many schools have newsletter in which you can run an ad. Many schools also have fundraisers that you can donate your services to and get a lot of publicity out of. Ask if your local school has a list of tutors. Add your name to the list.

8. When you get intrest from a potential client, have a lesson plan and study guide mapped out so you can show them what to expect if they go with your services. This lesson plan should map out what you'll teach them as well as how long each session will be along with breaks and the times you're available.

Tips & Warnings

• Be confident in your ability to tutor others. If you are good at a particular subject and like to help others, you will do fine.
• Don't be surprised if people want you to tutor in their own homes. Some people aren't comfortable sending their children to a stranger. It is actually a good idea to tutor in the student's home. The student will be more comfortable and open to instruction.

Resources

• This website has free ideas and lessons for tutors.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[tutor101]

on 11/10/2008 I have been a reading tutor for eleven years. I charge $25.00 an hour in a rural area in Idaho. I know tutors in other parts of the country that charge much more. These training manuals have been vital to my success. "How To Be a Successful Tutor" found at www.successfultutor.com and "How to Be a Successful Reading Tutor" found at www.becomeareadingtutor.com