I believe by asking students to explain the solution to problems to me rather than me constantly correcting them helps them become independent learners. This is because both the student and I can see where they are having an issue with the concept, and sometimes explaining their thought process out loud helps the student find where they made a mistake, making them feel more confident.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would try teaching it in a different way. Each student has a different style of learning. Additionally, the teaching style that works for one subject might not be appropriate for a different subject. So it is best to cater the tutoring approach to the student and the subject matter.

I've found that students who are struggling with reading comprehension usually need to read slower and check more frequently for an understanding of what they've read. For example, start off making sure the student knows to take their time and read every word versus speeding through the content to finish sooner. Also, instead of waiting until the student has read an entire book or assignment, checking for comprehension after each paragraph or page. Another key to reading comprehension is vocabulary. I would show a student how to use the context of a word to identify its meaning if they do not know it's exact definition.

Practice and communication. In order for most students to be receptive to tutoring, we have to build a relationship. I need to understand where the student is struggling, and the student needs to understand that tutoring is not just an extension of the classroom but it's meant to be more personalized to their needs and hopefully more fun.

To get a student more engaged in a subject that is difficult for them, I would try to relate it to something they enjoy. If I know I have a student who enjoys sports or the arts, I would try to incorporate those things into the subject they are struggling with.

To confirm that a student understands the material, I typically ask the student to explain it to me as if I'm the student and they are having to teach me something new. In addition to that, I would ask for practice problems.

I build a student's confidence through the use of positive feedback and asking follow up questions. For example, "That was close, but what should you have done differently?"

In the first session with a student, I typically try to get to know the student and their learning style through a series of questions. I also introduce myself, give a little history to make them more comfortable with me, and I ask what they feel like they are struggling with so that we can start there.

By asking what they feel like they are struggling with and using that as a starting point. From there, I ask them to solve a few problems and explain to me what they are doing step by step.

The types of materials I use depends on the age of the student, the subject and how they learn. I've found that flashcards are very helpful in most situations.