{"id":333,"date":"2024-02-11T23:21:28","date_gmt":"2024-02-11T23:21:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/?p=333"},"modified":"2024-02-19T22:28:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T22:28:41","slug":"is-it-better-to-go-with-qualified-school-teachers-or-experienced-tutors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/11\/is-it-better-to-go-with-qualified-school-teachers-or-experienced-tutors\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Better To Go With ‘Qualified’ School Teachers OR Experienced Tutors?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A common question you\u2019ll find parents asking all the time before they sign their kids up for tuition lessons: <\/span>\u2018Are your tutors qualified?\u2019<\/em>.<\/b> Honestly, I can\u2019t remember the number of times I\u2019ve been asked this question. Let’s just say it’s too many times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Always remember, parents will try whatever they can to get the best deal out of you i.e. best teaching for the lowest price. And this is one tactic that they use where they want <\/span>\u2018qualified\u2019<\/span><\/i> teachers to teach their kids. Once I remember, I was being really low-balled during negotiations, but I wasn\u2019t having it. So, I said to the parent: <\/span>\u2018You would like a \u2018qualified\u2019 teacher and yet you\u2019re only willing to pay \u00a35 per hour? Did I understand that correctly?\u2019 \u00a0<\/span><\/i>That was my way of implying that how can you expect to get quality teaching for when you’re only willing to pay the bare minimum. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I understand it can be difficult with money, especially when there is a cost of living crisis, economic downturn and high inflation. An average household has around 2 kids and every little bit adds up. But for some cultures it is worse as these communities tend to have bigger families. This only makes things financially more challenging for them, so they look to save money wherever they can.<\/span><\/p>\n

But education and tuition services are here to stay, and parents will continue to invest in their children for their better future. <\/span>But why?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Well the answer lies with how governments run their respective countries. Their aim is to establish functioning economies, for which they need educated people with a variety of skills, to create value in society and help improve the standard of living for the public. This creates jobs and opportunities. So education isn\u2019t going anywhere anytime soon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what would you look for in a tutor if not the <\/b>\u2018qualified\u2019<\/i><\/b> status?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

There is no simple answer for this one. But more importantly, I always categorise tutors into what I call the <\/span>\u20184 buckets\u2019<\/span><\/i>. These will serve as a good screening mechanism to get the best tutor possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Can they teach?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Do they have subject knowledge?<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Are they likeable?<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Are they committed?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Let\u2019s explore these in more detail.<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Can they teach?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Here the focus is very much on their ability to be able to transfer their knowledge to the kids in a manner they can understand best. Here are a few things to look for:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Can they demonstrate authority and confidence whilst teaching? Only then will students take them seriously.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Is their pace slow enough so that kids understand the content<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. They don\u2019t assume that kids understand everything. That\u2019s more at university level where a professor will walk in, deliver their lecture and then walk out.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Engage kids and teach on a board for clarity and future reference.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Prior experience in teaching also helps with their ability to teach<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      2. Do they have subject knowledge?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

      The focus as you can imagine is on the subject expertise. Here are a few things to look for:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. How much content do they know and at what level.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Knowing more content is beneficial. Students will have confidence in the tutors ability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        3. Are they likeable?<\/b><\/p>\n

        The focus here is whether or not students want to learn from their tutors. Here are a few things to look for:<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Are they approachable?<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Are they easy to talk to?<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. Can students talk about sports, politics with them etc.<\/span><\/li>\n
        4. Will students be comfortable talking about the latest video game that has just come out?<\/span><\/li>\n
        5. Do they command students\u2019 respect?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          4. Are they committed?<\/b><\/p>\n

          The focus here is whether or not they want to push themselves to deliver results. There are tutors who would simply walk in a min before time and walk out on the dot. But there are others with a great attitude, an attitude with which they are willing to do more in the given time. They\u2019re not simply there to kill time, assign questions to students and to go home afterwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          These 4 buckets are the most important factors to consider when looking at tutors. <\/span>The rest doesn\u2019t matter.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

          When kids go home and tell their parents that they really enjoyed their lesson, no parent in their right mind will discontinue lessons (unless financial reasons). All they want to see are results – that\u2019s all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Initially, the parents would be sceptical if a <\/span>qualified<\/span><\/i> tutor is not the teacher, but this will go away once they see the value you add through commitment and dedication. More on this in future blogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Let me tell you a story<\/b><\/h3>\n

          There was a tutor who used to teach young kids (KS1, KS2 class). And I desperately needed a tutor for my GCSE Science class that year. I knew they were doing their Phd at the time, and ticked all 4 buckets, except they lacked experience in teaching older kids. Going from teaching KS1 students to GCSE students is no joke. It takes a change in approach and focus. So naturally I was sceptical at the beginning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          My brother also knew who this teacher was, but he wrote them off saying that they don\u2019t have the experience to do the job. You need confidence, you need experience, you need this, you need that etc. etc. etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          But my philosophy has always been to give people a chance, and that\u2019s what I did. What happened next was amazing. They excelled at teaching older students and the class was full of students; so much so that we were considering hiring another to help out with the class.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Interestly, I had another tutor who taught both at my tuition centre and my brother\u2019s. One day they reached out to me and said: <\/span>\u2018I would like an opportunity to teach older kids. Think I am better suited at a higher level\u2019. <\/span><\/i>They were teaching younger kids at the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          I remembered the success from my earlier experience and am a person who believes in giving people an opportunity. So naturally after further discussions, they were given the opportunity they were looking for. And truth be told, we both haven\u2019t looked back ever since. They proved their worth and students are doing very well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Amazing things can happen when you give people an opportunity. And the only way to find out is by giving them an opportunity and support. If you can do that – I guarantee your tuition business would run without issues.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n

          In this debate between <\/span>\u2018qualified\u2019<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>\u2018non-qualified\u2019<\/span><\/i> teachers, it is important to understand that it\u2019s \u2018<\/span>only\u2019<\/span><\/i> the parents who think they should have qualified teachers to teach their children, but it is our job to demonstrate to them the value and quality we can bring to their children\u2019s academics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          You don\u2019t have to be a \u2018<\/span>qualified\u2019<\/span><\/i> teacher to bring value. It\u2019s merely a perception created by the parents in their mind. Once you are able to overcome it, it gets easier. Ultimately, the goal is for kids to improve in their academics. Whether it comes from a <\/span>\u2018qualified\u2019<\/span><\/i> teacher or not, it doesn\u2019t matter, because what matters is the academic results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          I\u2019ve had university students and Phds who teach at my tuition centres. Like any business, some have been very good and others not so much. But that\u2019s part of running a business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Your job as the tuition business owner is to simply make sure teachers have their <\/span>\u20184 buckets\u2019<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          If a university graduate or Phd can tutor, why would you want to hire a qualified tutor and pay them double what you pay others. It doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          Qualified or not-qualified, focus should be on the 4 buckets for quality delivery. However, I would say one thing though, that the only time qualified teachers might be a good option is for older students i.e. GCSE and A-Levels and that\u2019s because older kids are quick to build perception about teachers and their credibility. If they know they are qualified and teach at a school as their full time job, then chances are that they will be more comfortable and will settle in quickly. But it doesn\u2019t mean that someone else is not able to bring the same level of quality. <\/span>Unfortunately, as human beings we are quick to judge, so it may need to be factored into consideration.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          A common question you\u2019ll find parents asking all the time before they sign their kids up for tuition lessons: \u2018Are your tutors qualified?\u2019. Honestly, I can\u2019t remember the number of times I\u2019ve been asked this question. Let’s just say it’s too many times.\u00a0 Always remember, parents will try whatever they can to get the best deal out of you i.e. best teaching for the lowest price. And this is one tactic that they use where they want \u2018qualified\u2019 teachers to teach their kids. Once I remember, I was being really low-balled during negotiations, but I wasn\u2019t having it. So, I said to the parent: \u2018You would like a \u2018qualified\u2019 teacher and yet you\u2019re only willing to pay \u00a35 per hour? Did I understand that correctly?\u2019 \u00a0That was my way of implying that how can you expect to get quality teaching..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=333"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":368,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333\/revisions\/368"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runyourtuitionbusiness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}