What to Observe during the First Lesson?
After getting recommendations from either your friends or a tuition agency, your next task is to observe the first lesson between your child and the tutor. These are the few key points to observe (from a non-intrusive manner):
Any communication barriers between the child and tutor?
Is the tutor is able to explain the topics effectively, in a way your child is able to comprehend?
Is the tutor on time and gives your child the undivided attention during the tuition session? Frequent checks on mobile phone is a good indicated of a distracted tutor.
Tuition Goal Setting
It is important for goal to be established between the tutor and child. This is the only way to ensure that you are getting your return of investment in your child education. A good goal usually follows the SMART characteristic.
(S)pecific: Who is involved, what to achieve? (To get A2 in Maths).
(M)easureable: What is meant by improvement? How to measure grades improvement? (Using certain critical examinations as a check).
(A)ttainable: Identify goals that are attainable, through good planning.
(R)ealistic: Set goals that are realistic which the child is willing and able to achieve. Do not expect your child to As when he or she is currently failing the subject. (Improve 2 grades from a D to a C).
(T)imely: Set a time frame to achieve the goal. (3 months’ time).
Some tutors and child sets a 1-2 grade improvement goals within a 3 months period.
Follow On Monitoring
Investment in stocks requires constant monitoring. Similarly, investment in your child education also requires constant monitoring. Do not expect miracles to happen overnight. Your child who may be able to achieve his ‘A’s right after the first tuition session. Give the tutor and child 1-2 months before expecting to see any significant results.
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