There are many ways that a one on one tutor can help students. In the classroom, a teacher inevitably must deal with the class as a whole and, unfortunately, the individual often slips through the cracks. The most important aspect of the one on one tutor is its individual nature.
2. REINFORCEMENT
Positive reinforcement is another tool that a one on one tutor has to offer. A student always prefers to hear that he/she is intelligent and grasping the material rather than being threatened into trying to learn it. Upon hearing this praise, the student strives harder to comprehend the material.
3. MAKING THE SUBJECT ENJOYABLE
If a teacher/tutor can make the material enjoyable, it is much more likely that a student will not only understand it, but will actually work to deepen that understanding.
If the student looks forward to a session, he/she is much more likely to benefit from that class. We all prefer to do activities that we enjoy rather than those we dread. It is the responsibility of the teacher, and even more that of the one on one tutor to make a subject fun.
The most important aspect of making a subject enjoyable is to praise the student's performance. When the student shows even a minimal understanding of the material a, "Hey that's great work!" from the tutor goes a long way.
On the other hand, a comment like, "That was a really stupid mistake," can leave the pupil feeling that he/she will never understand the subject. As a tutor, always try to praise your student even if you feel the praise is not entirely deserved.
4. STRATEGIES USING THE INTERESTS OF THE STUDENT
A teacher also has the responsibility of looking for strategies on how to make the subject interesting to a class. This is often difficult as there are 20 pupils with 20 different interests. Alternatively, the one on one tutor can get to know his student as an individual and find his/her areas of interest and then work on developing the material in a way that uses these interests.
For example, one way that math can be made interesting to many students is to look for real world applications. Of course, this works for many students but not for all of them.
When I was a child it was the artfully beautiful proofs in mathematics which gained my interest. The real world applications were always boring. It is the strength of one on one tutoring that the tutor can assess the pupil and work on the best method for that particular individual.
5.HOW CAN A TUTOR FIND OUT WHAT INTERESTS HIS STUDENT?
First off, he/she should shed the formality of the classroom. Even with my younger students, I prefer that they call me by my name, "Les" rather than the forbidding Mr. Belzer.
Second, simple questions about sports, hobbies, games, and computer activities can reveal a lot about the way a student thinks. Show the student that you are interested in his life and problems. If one is truly interested then a rapport is easy to establish.
Having a one on one tutor has many benefits to the student. By applying the above methods, a tutor can inspire their student to appreciate the material and stimulate in him or her a desire to improve their knowledge and thus improve their grades.
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