How to Conduct an Initial Tutoring Session
As an academic tutor, your initial tutoring session is an important time to set good precedents and instill confidence in your student and his parents. The following are some tips for how to approach this important meeting.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Prior discussions with parents
- <br>Student's classwork and/or textbooks
Instructions
-
-
1
Have a comprehensive discussion with the parent before you arrive. At the end of the discussion, you should know why the parent is hiring you, what the family's goals are, and if the student has any pressing, upcoming assignments. If possible, arrange to see the student's prior classwork and/or textbook before you begin. (If not, you can do this after the initial lesson.)
-
2
Arrive on time (or just a few minutes early), dressed professionally. Introduce yourself to your new student and her parents.
-
-
3
If your student does not having a pressing assignment or exam, use the beginning of your lesson to discuss the student's concerns and conduct a basic diagnostic (this is probably more appropriate if you have been hired to teach remedial skills).
-
4
More than likely, however, you were called to help the student with a particular assignment or exam. If this is the case, address this first, as you must help the student feel like he can successfully approach it when you leave.
-
5
Curb negative language. While you want to understand the issues with which the student struggles, allowing her to continually put herself down is destructive. Try not to let parents express extreme disappointment with their children at this time either.
-
6
Follow up with the parent and share what you observed and how you will address it. You can also modify the length or day of the lesson if it didn't seem to address the student's needs.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you are tutoring in a student's home, the parents will likely tell you where to work. Particularly if you are tutoring a student of the opposite gender, make sure to keep the door open if you are not in a public space. This prevents any questions of misconduct arising.
