Top Tips and Resources for New Tutors

So, you’ve decided to become a tutor! This is an exciting step with many career benefits, but the first few sessions can be daunting.

To help you hit the ground running, we’ve come up with some tips and resources so you can approach your first tutoring sessions feeling confident and prepared.

Tip #1: Start on a Positive Note

First impressions count. It’s vital to start on the right foot by being on time and dressing professionally. Arriving late and dressing too casually will send the message that you don’t take your role as a tutor seriously.

To avoid being late for in-person sessions, make sure you have the correct address and familiarise yourself with the area ahead of time. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get there just in case there are traffic or transport issues.

Tip #2: Do Your Research

The more you know about your student, the better equipped you’ll be to help them. It’s an excellent idea to have more than just the basic information about their age, year and subject they need help in.

Before the first session, ask parents about their student’s school reports and exam results as well as the areas they’re struggling in. Also, find out what their expectations are for tutoring.

Tip #3: Build Rapport Early

Tutoring is about so much more than imparting knowledge and skills. Your role is to motivate and inspire students to perform at their best, and this requires a personal connection.

In your initial sessions, it’s tempting to do a lot of talking as your student may be shy with someone they don’t know. The best way to create rapport is to give them plenty of opportunities to speak. Ask simple questions about them and take note of their hobbies and interests.

Tip #4: Take Small Steps

After reviewing your student’s reports and asking about their areas of weakness, you might feel that you’re ready to launch straight into learning. We suggest that you start small by engaging in revision and assigning relatively easy tasks to begin with.

Break topics down into steps as you assess your student’s learning style and competence. This helps build confidence and ensures you have a thorough understanding of your student’s needs.

Tip #5: Choose Resources Carefully

Being prepared with the right resources shows you’re competent and serious about your role as a tutor. It also allows you to gauge learning and adapt lessons quickly when required.

It is far better to be over-prepared for your first sessions as you get to know your student. Your learning materials should cater to different levels and allow you to assess a range of skills.

Here are some excellent free resources available online:

NSW Department of Education has a free resource library for educators.
Victorian Department of Education offers a wide range of literacy and numeracy toolkits and resources.
ACT Education provides quality materials for home learning.
WA Department of Education has collated learning resources from across the country.
Teachers Pay Teachers have worksheets and resources designed by teachers, many of which are free.

Work for Tutor Doctor

Tutors working for Tutor Doctor are provided with the tools and resources needed to excel.

Working with a reputable organisation takes much of the pressure off new tutors because we do the research on students and provide you with the support needed to truly master this role.