Rochester's 25 school districts use various textbooks and instructional approaches, from traditional to standards-based curricula. Tutors working with students in Rochester are familiar with these different systems and can align their instruction with your student's specific coursework, whether they're using Eureka Math, Houghton Mifflin, or another program. This ensures tutoring reinforces what's being taught in class while building deeper conceptual understanding.

Many students memorize procedures without grasping why they work. Tutors help students see the patterns and connections underlying mathematical concepts—like why the distributive property works or what a graph actually represents. By asking guiding questions and having students explain their thinking in French, tutors build conceptual understanding that transfers to new problems and reduces reliance on memorization.

Yes. Math anxiety often stems from feeling lost or embarrassed, which intensifies when learning in a non-native language. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction in a supportive environment helps students rebuild confidence by breaking problems into manageable steps, celebrating small wins, and showing them that mistakes are part of learning. Over time, students develop problem-solving strategies and see themselves as capable mathematicians.

Word problems require both language comprehension and mathematical reasoning. Tutors help students decode what a problem is asking by identifying key information, translating word problems into mathematical expressions, and developing systematic problem-solving strategies. In French, this also means building vocabulary for mathematical language, so students can confidently tackle increasingly complex problems.

Look for tutors with strong mathematics backgrounds and demonstrated fluency in French—ideally native or near-native speakers. Experience teaching or tutoring math in French is valuable, as is familiarity with Rochester-area curricula. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have been vetted for both subject expertise and teaching ability, ensuring your student gets instruction from someone who truly masters both math and French.

The first session is about understanding where your student is starting from. The tutor will assess your student's current math level, identify specific challenges (like multi-step equations or graphing), and learn about their French proficiency. Together, they'll discuss goals and develop a personalized plan. This foundation ensures all future sessions are targeted and efficient.

Showing work reveals your student's thinking process, helping tutors identify exactly where misconceptions occur. When students explain their steps—especially in French—they deepen their own understanding and catch errors themselves. This practice builds metacognitive skills and problem-solving strategies that transfer across all math topics, from basic operations to proofs and complex equations.