One situation in which the saying "The more - the merrier" isn't right, is when I have to choose one of a million tutors. How do I recognize the right tutor for me?
And trust me, it is one of the most important decisions when it comes to learning. Scientists have discovered that one of the main success factors is the willingness to learn from your teacher/tutor.
So, how do we choose our one-in-a-million?
Determine Your Needs
What exactly do you need help with? I mean, you know the subject, but do you need someone to practice with you? Or do you need an explanation expert that makes everything sound simple? Tutors and teachers generally have a great knowledge of the subject, but they are people as well, so everybody is keen on something a bit different.
Qualifications and Expertise
After 10 years of teaching experience, I still don't know if this is the least or the most important thing. How important is it for you to learn from someone with a doctor's degree?
The first students that I took when I was still at university, had as good results as these nowadays after 10 years of work and a lot of degrees and training. The difference is that I need to make less effort. Now I have all the tricks on my sleeve, without spending 2 hours to prepare for the class. So my advice is: Give the novices a chance - they try harder to make you happy!
Scheduling and Availability
Scheduling and rescheduling individual classes are a teacher's nightmare. We plan our day around the schedule, and then 15 min before the class, the phone rings...
Flexibility is important, but firmness is important as well. If you don't skip a single class in the next 6 months, the chances are, that you will get better results.
On the other hand, what is the point of individual classes, if not the flexibility?
Choose wisely, do you need someone who will keep you on track? Or do you need someone who will be adaptable to your dynamic schedule?
Reviews and Recommendations
Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is the real Pandora's Box of your task. Which reviews are genuine? Which ones are relevant? How do I trust these people?
We'll never know unless the reviews are posted on a genuine platform for tutoring and by validated users. On our platform, for example, you are prompted to leave a review after taking the class, which means that not everyone can comment.
It is very important to know that the recommendations are credible, exactly because of that, you can ask your friends to recommend a tutor that they have tried out.
Your friends know you and they know them, so it might be a good match.
Trial Sessions
Trial sessions are rarely available and say a lot about the tutor that you are trying to start learning with. Many trial sessions are a general conversation about the needs and goals, which teaching methods will be used, or which learning materials are more compelling to the student.
This makes things easier as it is kind of an introduction and a smoother passage to teaching.
Cost and Payment
Once upon a time, there was a saying: "If you don't know what is good, ask what is expensive." But nowadays, we don't live by those standards anymore.
The sensible thing to do is find a good ratio between price and availability. Tutors and teachers who have a lot of students are probably better than too-expensive teachers with emptier schedules.
It strongly varies by region, but the price for one hour should be between 12 and 20 EUR for standard subjects. If you need help from an expert, the price will probably not be lower than 50 EUR per hour.
Conclusion
Pose questions, use filters, read reviews, and with a pinch of luck you will find your learning soulmate at the first attempt.
You can always give it another try!
Just use your brain to follow your heart!