How to Become a Tutor: What Qualities do You Need?
A tutor is a very special person, someone who can teach and coach a student, can identify the problems in the learning process of the student, and then formulate and carry out a plan to help the student work through the difficulties and become successful in their subject.
Four of the basic traits a tutor should possess are:
It probably goes without saying that a good tutor would have some knowledge, experience and background in the subject they are tutoring. Your combination of knowledge and experience will be one of your greatest assets in your tutoring business.
As a tutor you should be both a good listener and a good communicator. Being able to effectively transfer your knowledge to your student is paramount. A tutor does more than just transfer knowledge; a tutor is also good at identifying why the student is having a learning barrier and helping the student to break through that barrier. The ultimate goal of a tutor is to prepare the student to no longer need the tutor.
- Patience and understanding
You are working one on one, most of the time. Each student will be an individual with their own personality. You need to learn to exercise both patience and understanding, even when you have explained something very clearly and the student is just not getting it. You must show the student that he/she can trust you and that you will be understanding as he/she works through the difficulty.
- Ability to make a plan and carry it out
As you are working with your student, you will be looking for the areas which are tripping up your student. You will be making a plan for the student to take him/her from the current level they are in to the level of success you both think they can attain. You need to be realistic in these goals while at the same time giving your pupil a challenge to reach up to.
Your students will be able to tell if you genuinely care about them. Sharpening your people-skills through practice and study gives you more confidence as a tutor and as someone your student will both look up to and be able to relate to.