How Should the First Meeting of Student and Tutor Go?

Table of Contents:

Why is the First Impression so Important?

The first impression is important when a tutor and student meet for the first time because it can set the tone and establish the expectations for the future of their working relationship. A good first impression can create a positive and supportive learning environment, where the student feels comfortable and confident. This can make the student more engaged and motivated and can lead to better learning outcomes. In contrast, a negative or unprofessional first impression can create a negative and unproductive learning environment, which can make the student less engaged and motivated, and can lead to poorer learning outcomes. Here are some things to look out for on the first meeting of student and tutor:

The Importance of Right Questions in the First Meeting of Student and Tutor

As a parent, you can play an important role in helping your child find the right tutor and in supporting their success in tutoring. During the first meeting between the tutor and your child, there are several key questions that the tutor should ask to gain a better understanding of your child’s needs and challenges and to develop a teaching plan that is tailored to their individual needs. Some examples of questions that a good tutor might ask during the first meeting with your child include:

📌 What are your goals for tutoring?

📌 What subjects or topics do you need help with?

📌 What are your strengths and weaknesses in these subjects?

📌 What do you struggle with the most when it comes to studying?

📌 How do you prefer to learn?

📌 What is your schedule like and when are you available for tutoring sessions?

📌 What are your expectations for tutoring and how can I help you achieve your goals?

This can help the tutor to provide more effective and efficient support and can help your child achieve their goals more quickly. As a parent, you can support your child’s success in tutoring by ensuring that the tutor asks these types of questions and by providing your own input and feedback on your child’s needs and goals.

Tutor Should Ask some of the Questions Directly to the Child

During the first meeting between a tutor and a child, it is important for the tutor to ask the child about their goals and needs. To do this, the tutor should ask the child directly about what they want to achieve through tutoring, and about any specific areas where they need help or support. This can help the tutor to understand the child’s individual needs and challenges, and to tailor their teaching approach. In addition, asking the child directly can help to build trust and rapport between the tutor and the child. This can make tutoring more effective and efficient.

As a parent, you may have a better understanding of your child’s struggles and challenges, and you can provide valuable input and feedback to the tutor about these issues. However, it is still important for the tutor to ask the child directly. Great tutors can also become role models and can help to inspire, motivate and build confidence through tutoring. Therefore, it is important for both the tutor and the child to communicate openly and honestly with each other, and to trust each other, in order to make the learning process as effective and efficient as possible.

The Tutor Should Explain How Their Lessons Work Generally

📌 Tutors should explain their study plan and how can they change it according to the child they are working with.

📌 Tutors should explain how they work with the child. How do they spend that one hour of a session? How well can they manage time? However, this can differ by the age of the child. For example, if your child wants help with A-levels or GCSEs, a tutor should not teach through games, as they would have done with younger children.

📌 When clarifying how they work with the child’s parents, tutors should explain their feedback process. For teenagers especially this talk can be uncomfortable and tutors are aware of that, so make sure not to demand too much from them. This will only alienate your teenager even further!

📌 The Tutor should also tell you what resources they have, and whether those will suit your child. If your child is a visual learner but the tutor relies primarily on verbal explanations. That might not be helpful.

The Tutor Should Assess the Child’s Skills on the First Meeting of Student and Tutor

This first meeting is an opportunity for the tutor to get to know your child and see what they’re like. They should ask them questions about their strengths and weaknesses, their learning style, time management skills, personality, interests and goals.

Asking about interests outside school may not seem helpful, but it helps the child and the tutor to bond and gain trust. In addition, the tutor then can find interesting recourses that will appeal to the child. Giving the child test during the first meeting may not be that helpful, since the child may be scared and forget everything they know. Despite this, if the child feels comfortable with taking the test, it can help the tutor to adjust lessons and resources already on the second meeting. They should ask your child first though, this can also make your child feel extra comfortable and understood.

Tutors can also find out that way if there are any communication issues between them and the child when it comes to expressing themselves verbally or in writing. This will help both of you decide on which teaching methods will work best for the child. It will avoid the lessons from becoming too boring!

Tutor Should Speak in a Way that Child Understands too

Tutors should try to speak in a way that the child understands. This can be done by using simple words, visual aids and humour. They should use examples when giving instructions, or just by telling stories about their own experiences at school.

Importance of Voice Tones in every Meeting of Student and Tutor

Tutors should also make sure that they speak loudly and clearly enough for the student to hear and understand them. If the student is in their early years, they might respond better when the tutor talks in a little high-pitched voice. Tutors should also make sure their voice doesn’t change throughout the lesson. It should sound natural at all times! Changing the tone of voice out of the blue can cause anxiety in a child. Read more about school-aged kids being sensitive to pitch-related cues.

Summary

We hope that we’ve given you some ideas on how to approach assessing the tutor. Above all else, remember that no matter what kind of teaching style or technique they use with the class, their primary goal should always be to make sure students feel comfortable with whatever subject matter is being covered. Tutors can be very experienced and skilled. However, if the child does not like them as a person, lessons may not work at all.

You can find tutors on every social media, including Reddit, Facebook and etc. For example, if you want to find online English tutors, search for “online English tutor” in different groups and communities. If there are no posts about it, post about it yourself and help out others too.

However, it’s safer and more convenient to go for an online tutoring service and one of the best platforms is Edumentors.

Edumentors.co.uk has great tutors who just went through the same as your child, not too long ago. They can understand children and relate to them quickly, which helps to gain trust and respect. Young tutors are more enthusiastic, motivated and up-to-date on new teaching techniques. Their dedication makes it easier to personalise lessons and personalise assessments.

All of them go through a robust interview process and qualification check – tutors should have the highest grades in the subjects they want to teach. They are also required to have a DBS check before hiring, so the safety of your child is not something to worry about. Make a shortlist of tutors and book a free session with them. They will be happy to explain how they teach and tell you about their past experience.