Once considered a luxury service, tutoring is almost essential. With the internet, finding a tutor is now easier than you can imagine. No wonder we are in the age of distance learning; learners no longer have to be physically present in a classroom.
But while online learning offers several perks, not every tutor can meet your learning needs. Here is what you need to consider when hiring an online tutor.
Specialisation
You may want to call it compatibility or expertise. Whatever it is, the tutor must be a specialist in the subject you want to learn. Imagine taking your toddler to a general practitioner instead of a paediatrician. It is the same thing we’re talking about here. Subject specialists know about their areas of specialisation a lot better than general tutors. They know which teaching styles work best for the subject, so they don’t gamble with their services. If you’re preparing for a job interview, look for someone who specialises in helping with interview questions or something else related to interviews.
Availability
With online learning comes convenience because you learn when you want. Besides, it is possible that your tutor is several miles away from you. That means you may be in different time zones. Choose a tutor who will be available at hours that are most convenient to you. You don’t want someone available only from midnight when you need that sleep badly.
Good Communication
Some tutors will give you an assignment and go missing for days, only to resurface on the submission deadline. Who do you turn to if you need clarification on the assignment? A good tutor should always be available online to promptly deal with emergencies or queries. In their responses, they should also be thorough and comprehensive. The language they use should be simple and easy to understand.