Education

Throughout the years that children spend in school, it’s not uncommon for them to lose their motivation to learn. Sometimes, it’s temporary, and children can regain their enthusiasm. Nonetheless, that may not always be the case.

Due to a number of reasons, children may become demotivated, and that can severely affect their performance and grades at school.

While grades don’t necessarily reflect a child’s intelligence and knowledge, they still are deemed essential and can affect a child’s future choices and outcomes.

Therefore, parents frequently consider hiring a private tutor. If you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, you may be wondering if it’s is worth your money. Let’s examine the benefits and disadvantages of private tutoring so that you get a clear picture of what you can expect.

The Benefits of Private Tutoring

1. Personalized Approach and Pace

An average American classroom has approximately 23 students. Yet, this number can be higher in more densely populated areas.

While larger classes require fewer costs, they are less beneficial for children. In fact, various reviews and studies conclude that smaller classroom size is more advantageous for students. As a result, teachers are unable to answer the needs of each and every student and need to follow an average pace to complete the syllabus planned for the academic year.

Since all children are unique, some will be able to learn quicker than the average while others will need more time to process information. Neither one of the situations is optimal for the children.

Private tutoring helps counter that. Skilled tutors can assess each child’s learning needs and set the pace necessary to achieve the desired results.

2. Fewer Distractions

A large classroom environment can be highly distracting, preventing children from being able to use their time wisely. Since private tutoring usually happens in a quiet and peaceful setting, there are fewer distractions. Tutors can give students their full attention, and students can fully focus on the study material.

3. Improved Confidence and Self-esteem

The one-on-one approach, when working with a private tutor, can help students to become more confident about their knowledge in the subject. Continuous positive reinforcement from that can be beneficial for their self-esteem. As a result, they can become more active and participative in school as well.

4. Increased Intrinsic Motivation

If a tutor can tailor the learning environment to meet the student’s needs and find ways to make the subject matter relevant and applicable, it can improve a child’s intrinsic motivation to study. Intrinsic motivation is not only more effective long-term but can also yield much higher results.

5. Better Performance at School

Since children are able to process and assimilate information at their own pace and are guided by intrinsic motivation, they are more likely to get better grades at school as well. Increased confidence and self-esteem can make them less likely to question their knowledge and less afraid of making mistakes.

6. More Future Opportunities

One of the main reasons why families opt for private tutoring are the benefits of better future opportunities for their children. Since colleges take grades into account, better performance at school can open doors to better colleges and jobs.

7. More than Just the Syllabus Material

Since a tutor can tailor private tutoring sessions to each student’s needs, they can involve topics and material that is related to the syllabus material but covered in it. In this way, they can increase children’s interest in the subject and show ways of applying their knowledge in real life.

Disadvantages of Private Tutoring

1. High Costs

One of the main disadvantages of private tutoring is its costs. Hiring a quality tutor with qualifications and prior experience can be costly, and many families may not be able to afford it.

2. Potential Waste of Money

Families that are on a tight budget may opt for cheaper tutoring options. However, that increases the risk of private tutoring, turning out to be a waste of money.

Usually, tutors with extensive experience and certifications charge more and can provide higher quality services. Meanwhile, tutors who charge less do so for a reason. They may either lack experience or qualifications. Therefore, it may be useful to do a test session or a few before committing to long-term tutoring.

3. The Tutor May Not a Good Match

A tutor’s personality and the child’s ability to get along with them can improve private tutoring results. Studies have indicated that children perform better when they can relate to their tutor.

The opposite, however, can even be harmful. It can cause the child to dislike the subject or even rebel against it. Thus, it’s essential to address the issue if you notice that your child is showing dislike or resentment against the tutor.

4. The Tutor May Not a Certified Teacher

Unfortunately, many believe that hiring someone with a degree in a specific subject can result in good tutoring results. Nonetheless, it’s not a guarantee. Teaching is a skill, and not everyone possesses it.

Hiring a tutor who lacks teaching skills can result in boring lessons and even further decrease your child’s motivation to study.

5. Safety Concern

Many parents do not feel confident leaving their child with an adult they may not know well. To prevent any negative instances from happening, it can be beneficial to seek private tutoring through an agency that vets their professionals or requesting a criminal background report from the tutor.

6. Children May See It as an Obligation

Let’s face it. Private tutoring is often a choice made by the parents rather than the child. Because of that, the child may feel obligated to go to tutoring sessions rather than actually enjoy them. Hiring a tutor who lacks teaching skills or qualifications or whose personality your child does not get along with can make this issue even worse.

7. Less Time for Extracurricular and Other Activities

Tutoring takes time, especially if you need to travel to a different location. Therefore, it can occupy the time that your child could spend on doing their homework, participating in extracurricular activities, spend their time with family and friends, or simply rest.

We’ve tried to balance the number of benefits and disadvantages of private tutoring for a more objective review. So, what do you think? Is private tutoring beneficial or not worth it? Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and let us know what you think!

If you live in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and would like to get professional help or STEM classes and programs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer different class options, workshops, homework support, and more.