How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by asking follow-up questions once we have solved a problem and encouraging him/her to go beyond the current problem to think of how other problems could be solved. Bringing in real-world examples also helps to make students more independent learners.

What is your teaching philosophy?

My tutoring philosophy centers on first getting to know the student's personality, learning style and goals so that I can develop an individual plan to meet the student's needs. I then teach in a highly interactive, engaging and fun manner. Being patient and encouraging along the way leads to a very positive experience for the student, thereby increasing confidence and self-esteem to be able to tackle future challenges.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

In a typical first session with a student, I will try to learn about the student's personality, interests, goals, and learning style. I will also try to better understand the student's needs and concerns so that I can address them in the best way.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

I would help a student stay motivated through lots of encouragement and reminding him/her of what they have already achieved. It is also good to link a student's progress to the goals stated at the beginning of our time together.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would attempt to use more visual aids to see if that helps.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

To help students who are struggling with reading comprehension, I ask them questions before they read the book, while they are reading, and after they finish reading. This usually helps a lot.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

When I start working with a student, I like to find out his/her interests and hobbies and also his/her feelings about the subject we are working on. I can then keep these things in mind and incorporate them while working together. Early on, I try to get the student to do more of the talking to increase the student's engagement level.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

To help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in, I usually explain the subject as it relates to the student's interests and hobbies. It also helps to play some fun, educational games related to the subject.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

To be sure that a student understands the material, I ask a lot of questions during our time together. I also encourage the student to quiz/test me on the material we have been working on.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

I build a student's confidence in a subject by helping him/her to solve problems of varying difficulty and offering continuous encouragement and praise along the way. I also exercise a lot of patience and allow the students to do as much as he/she can on his own first before offering assistance.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs by first talking with his/her parent or legal guardian, and then talking to the student directly. It is helpful to understand the student's performance in school and any test scores and grades. I also provide lots of warm-up exercises to help assess which areas need more focus.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

Students have different needs, and I adapt my tutoring style accordingly. 

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

I use a lot of different materials during a tutoring session, including the student's own textbooks, workbooks, homework pages, and flashcards. I also do a lot of research before each session to find additional worksheets online which may be helpful.