English is a global language and it is important for the students to be well-versed in it in order to ace in life. Going higher in life is extremely hard without having a good grip over the language as it is a testing factor in several firms and colleges. Even if the child wishes to pursue higher courses from abroad, then it is not possible without being proficient in the language. If you are planning to hire an English tutor for your kids or adults, then here are a few things you should keep in your mind.
1. Are they well-versed in the language?
There is absolutely no benefit in hiring someone who is only mediocre or average in language proficiency. Check their level of expertise in the language and their pronunciation and other details. If they are speaking in an accent or an Indianized form of it, then surely they are not fit for the job. They can’t help your child be better in the language and can even impact their speaking skill negatively. So make sure to converse with them and see whether they are as good as they claim to be.
2. Patience is a virtue
Check if they are patient enough to listen to your queries. If they are not patient with you, chances are likely that they won’t be patient with the child either. The kid is being introduced to a new language. It is a new experience and the mentor plays a huge role in it. If they are not patient enough to answer all the questions of the child, the latter won’t be able to do much. A tutor must be able to explain things to children over and over until they have finally understood it. They are also expected to help them out with their assignments and correct them when they make the same mistakes again and again. If the tutor isn’t patient, the whole experience can be intimidating for the child and might impact the learning ability.
3. Check the educational background
Ask and understand their educational background. People with a bachelor’s or masters’ in the English Language would be ideal candidates. People from other streams can also be considered if they have excellent fluency in the language. Also, check whether they have any certifications to their credit. Certifications like TOEFL can be golden and would highly benefit your child. It is better recommended to choose a tutor with experience instead of trying your luck with a fresher. Someone with experience in handling the students can find the task easier and will know how to handle the job better. They will know about the easiest and better studying techniques and will be able to raise the complexity of lessons according to the progression of the child. They will have improved teaching skills and techniques which can help in better understanding.
4. Are they comfortable talking?
It is pivotal to hire a teacher who is active and comfortable speaking. Some are too shy or timid and might find it hard to start a conversation with your child. They might take the lesson and wind up without engaging in any further discussions or activities. Playful activities are one way of learning any language effectively and simply. As far as English is concerned, activities cannot be excluded. Make sure they are outgoing and smart. Check how they are interacting with your son or daughter. Ask feedback from them and take it seriously when they complain about something. If the tutor is not taking any initiative in setting up games and activities, approach them and request them to do the same. If the situation still hasn't improved, it is time to think about hiring another smart tutor
5. What does their review say about them?
Before hiring a tutor, ask around to your friends, family, and the people in the neighborhood who knows the tutor or had hired him in the past. Find out what they think about the person and ask them to share their experience. Talk with the students he had mentored before and understand the experience. You can learn a lot of things about the person this way. If you are hiring the person through any portal or application, make sure to check the reviews posted. It is still recommended to ask around personally rather than to blindly trust the reviews. Most importantly, you should find out if that person is safe to be near your child. If he or she happens to have any problems or a history of misbehavior then you will be putting your child at risk.
6. Don’t overlook the budget
Make sure that the tutor you are hiring fits in with your budget. Offline coaching can be pricey and more expensive than online tutoring. So come to an agreement with them regarding the payment and do the calculations and then make the decision.