How to Become an English Tutor

Becoming an English tutor can be a rewarding way to earn an income. Unfortunately, the endeavor is sometimes easier said than done. Speaking the language is not enough to be an efficient tutor. Learn how to become an English tutor and earn an income by helping others enhance their understanding of the English language.

Instructions

1. Be a native English speaker or be fluent in the language. A firm grasp of the language must be at your disposal. If grammatical basics are sometimes confusing to you, brush up on the basics of sentence structure, including nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs. Also, make sure you are versed in the difference between active and passive sentences. Simply speaking the language will not be sufficient to be a good tutor; you must also understand the fundamentals of the structure of the language.

2. Put together a list or compilation of your credentials. If you tutored during high school or college, describe the details of your work on a tutoring resume. If you have a college degree, the fact that you are educated and wrote numerous papers in college can also be included in your resume as experience. Even your grades in English class during high school can be included as a testament to your knowledge in this area. If you were ever responsible for any form of writing or editing for a company, this is also good experience to include on your resume. It is important to put an accurate reflection of your firm understanding of the English language on your resume so that potential clients will know that you are qualified.

3. Put together a portfolio of work samples for prospective clients to view. The ideal portfolio will include before and after samples of your clients' work so you can showcase the improvement that your tutoring service offers. If you have not tutored before or do not have these samples available, there are other types of samples that can be included in your portfolio. Include samples that highlight your excellence with the English language. For example, you can include college- or high school-level papers that received high marks and showcase your understanding of the language. If you have written pieces online or for publications, you can also include those as they are a testament to your writing skills. Anything that you have written can be used in your portfolio if it samples your writing skills and highlights your use of the English language.

4. Market yourself to grow a client base. There are numerous ways to do this. For example, you can place fliers around a nearby college or high school campus. Also, local restaurants and grocery stores sometimes have community message boards where you can place fliers that offer your services. In addition to fliers, you can take to the Internet to market your services. Sites such as Craigslist.org allow you to post services to a local site that will reach other members in your community. Word of mouth and references can also work wonders. Getting in touch with English teachers at local high schools and colleges and explaining your service to them may lead to referrals in the future.

5. Get ready tutor your first client. When tutoring your client in English, it is important to remain patient and understanding. At times, it may be frustrating if your client does not understand what you are trying to teach him but if he already understood these concepts, they would not require your services. Try breaking down each concept to its simplest form so that your client can understand and then build from there. Keeping your clients happy is a sure way to maintain their business and receive referrals.

Tips & Warnings

• Always remain patient with your clients.

• Continue to market yourself to grow your client base.

• Remember, just because you speak English does not mean you will do well as an English tutor.

• Be careful not to overbook yourself.