A new year often brings new aims and ambitions – maybe this is the year you’d like to become a private tutor? Last year we asked our tutors why they became tutors and what they get out of it. This is what one of them said…
“Tutoring gives me great satisfaction when I know I have helped a student achieve higher grades than they expected and when they gain admission into a school they have desired for. I enjoy helping others and the relationships made with both my students and the parents and I tend to have long lasting clients due to the good working relationships made with the students who benefit from my sessions. Many thanks for valuing my opinion, it is very much appreciated.”
Are all your tutors teachers?
No, our private tutors come from all kinds of backgrounds. Yes some are teachers, lecturers or teaching assistants but we have tutors who are professionals with a particular skill (so for example a writer could be an English private tutor). Most of our team are based in Cheshire or Manchester as that’s where our students are.
Not being a qualified teacher doesn’t instantly discount you from being a tutor and we find non-teachers have a different and very useful way of looking at problems. What is usually important is that you’re qualified to at least the level above the subject you want to tutor in (which means if you want to tutor in A Level Maths then you’ll probably need a Maths degree).
The kind of people who are attracted to tutoring are usually very committed to learning and absolutely love their subject area. You’ll probably have an idea about learning styles and understand how important it is to be flexible to meet the needs of your students.
Students will really come to rely on you so you’ll need to offer a consistent amount of tutoring hours across the academic year (that’s September until July).
Why do people become private tutors?
There are all kinds of reasons you might want to become a private tutor, to supplement your income or to use your skill or passion for a subject to help a student. And you’re probably wondering what you’ll get out of private tutoring…
1. An additional income (that’ll vary depending on what subject you teach, what level you teach at and how many hours you tutor for).
2. Flexible hours that work around your existing job.
3. Students in your local area (and at 121 Home Tutors we can ensure they don’t attend a school you teach in).
4. Ongoing support and training (look out for companies that can offer you this).
5. Even a possible new career path.
If you’d like to know more about becoming a private tutor in Manchester or Cheshire contact us or check out FAQs on becoming a private tutor.
I am interested in becoming an English tutor to children from primary, (key stage one level), upwards, offering additional support in basic skills, ie, reading and writing.
I have no formal teaching qualifications but am qualified to teaching assistant level and have experience in this role. I have O Level Grade C in English language and English literature and I have a natural enthusiasm for the subject. Would I need qualifications at a higher level and have you any further advice you could offer?
Thank you in anticipation.
Helen Street
Hi – enthusiasm for a subject and knowledge of current curriculum requirements, as you must have to qualify as a TA, would stand you in good stead to be a tutor, certainly for KS1, possibly KS2, literacy.
Helen,have you had any success in private tutoring,?As I have been a T.A now, for 11 years teaching 121 at school as well as teaching english addidtional langauge(EAL) 3x aweek.I have been approached to tutor 121 after school is this legal? as I am not a teacher.
Kind regards
I would like to tutor KS1 -KS4 English, but I am not a teacher. I had a distinction in English at Olevels; I did Alevel English Literature and I am a lawyer.I’ve got 3 months of teaching experience in a primary school (pre-University)and I have a raging passion for English. I think I am a closet teacher and I really want to be out. All these qualifications are from overseas but recognised in UK. Please advise.
If you’d like to email us your CV and a little more about yourself ( info@121hometutors.co.uk) then we can determine if we would be able to help you on your way to becoming a tutor. We have had others in your situation that have gone on to become very successful tutors so don’t let limited experience put you off as we can help you build experience with the right tutees. Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi, I am 25 and have an unfinished law degree, but have recently re-taken my English A levels to improve my previous grade and change my degree to English Literature. However, in the mean time I would like to tutor English GCSE students, is this possible? as I have no teaching qualifications, or experience. However I am friendly, very passionate about my subject and explain things well. Tahseen
Hi – you can find out a bit more about becoming a tutor (and apply) https://121hometutors.co.uk/become-a-tutor/. We don’t always require a teaching qualification but usually ask that you are at least once level above the students you want to teach (so for A Level tutoring you would need a degree).
Hello, I jumped over to your site via Pinterest. Not something I frequently read through, but I really enjoy your opinions none the less. Thanks a ton for writing something worthy of reading!
thank -you 🙂