Dealing with a Student Who Chooses Free School Tutoring Over Private Tuition
One student stopped her tutoring because she gained access to free tutoring at her school. Despite my efforts to convince her and her parents that continuing with me would be better since she was accustomed to my teaching style, she declined. I was wondering if you had any advice on how to handle this situation if it happens again.
Should the Student Continue Tuition with Me?
Start by asking yourself, *”Should the student continue tuition with me, and why?”* Being used to a specific teaching style may not be enough of a reason for most parents to continue private tuition, especially since school tutoring is free and private tutoring is an added expense. From the parent’s perspective, this is understandable. However, if they are to continue private tutoring, the cost-to-benefit ratio must be convincing. How much more benefit will the student get from you compared to the free tutoring at school? Perhaps school tutoring is sufficient for the student. Here are a few key points to consider and discuss: 🧠
Benefits of Private Tutoring Over School Tutoring
- Going ahead of the class: School tutoring may not offer the chance to learn ahead, whereas private tutoring can push students beyond their current level.
- Learning challenging material: Students may want to be the best in their class, not just perform at the same level as their peers, and private tutoring can provide that challenge.
- Exam preparation: Private tutoring can tailor lessons specifically for exams, giving students an edge.
- Targeting specific weaknesses: Private tutors can focus on weak areas, while school tutoring often lacks this personalized attention.
- Covering other subjects: Private tutoring can extend beyond one subject, unlike school tutoring, which may be subject-specific.
Limitations of School Tutoring
- Group-based sessions: School tutoring is often conducted in groups, with little to no one-on-one attention, which may not address the student’s unique learning needs.
- Lack of study and problem-solving skills: School tutoring typically focuses on answering questions and solving immediate problems. It may not teach essential skills such as study techniques, problem-solving methods, or exam performance strategies—skills that are crucial for long-term success. The best way to learn these skills is through personal attention and careful guidance from a tutor.
- Low confidence: If the student lacks confidence, school tutoring may not help much. They may be too self-conscious to ask questions or fully express their difficulties in a group setting.
What If the Student Is Ready to Move On?
Perhaps the student has made significant progress, and they are ready to move forward independently. This is often the goal of tutoring. However, this transition can be uncomfortable for the student. You can offer to continue tutoring on a less frequent basis, such as once every fortnight or month, to provide a safety net while they venture out on their own. This allows them to maintain some support while gaining confidence in their abilities.
Follow-Up After a Few Weeks
In many cases, school tutoring programs don’t work as well as expected. After a few weeks, parents may reconsider their decision. Offering a follow-up call after a month can demonstrate your professionalism and care for the student’s educational journey. Parents will likely appreciate the follow-up and may decide to re-engage your services once they see the value of private tutoring versus free school tutoring. 📞
By maintaining a positive and supportive relationship with the family, you increase the chances that they’ll return to private tuition when they see the benefits for themselves.
