A friend of mine recently went to a Zumba class and found it pretty hard to follow the steps (who doesn’t?) because the instructor didn’t speak AT ALL!  It turns out that Zumba licences are surprisingly easy to come by (£200, one day course, that sort of easy) but if the person running the class isn’t a properly qualified instructor they aren’t allowed to give verbal instructions in case you fall over and sue them!

Tutoring is very much the same scenario: anyone can call themselves a tutor – you don’t even have to do a one day course or spend £200 on a licence – but by and large only a professionally qualified teacher is capable of the assement, lesson design and instruction that will really boost your child’s educational progress. 

It’s really hard to know how to find a tutor that will get the best out of your child, so here is a list of questions to ask when searching for a tutor:

1.  Is this person fully qualified and have they been CRB checked?

A qualified teacher will be able to show you their certificate of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), their degree certificate and until earlier this year (when it got the chop), their General Teaching Council registration.  An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check is essential for a tutor, and it goes without saying that all Better Tuition’s teachers have these renewed every three years.  Our teachers are fully qualified and we display their teaching qualifications in our waiting area.  We don’t employ unqualified ‘instructors’ or 20 year old students: we employ properly qualified professionals because we know they’ll get results.

2.  How will my child be assessed by their tutor?

Beware the tutor who assumes that your child is average or thereabouts and proceeds accordingly.  No child is average: yours in particular is completely unique (!) and it is impossible to begin tutoring them without a thorough assessment.  At Better Tuition we offer a FREE assessment which covers (depending on the areas you are concerned about) maths, reading, spelling, writing, and/ or science.  We identify strengths and weaknesses and give your child targets to work towards.  You are under no obligation to sign up for lessons if you come for a FREE assessment, but many do and this thorough assessment helps us plan the first lesson.  After that, assessment is ongoing and embedded in every single lesson.  Why not call 0161 748 3912 now to book your  place with us now?

3.  What feedback will I receive from my child’s tutor?

At Better Tuition we work as a team with parents: we give verbal feedback after every single lesson.  Parents are shown the lesson plan for their child and each activity is explained.  Equally importantly, we listen to the parents and value their input.  Children are formally assessed every twelve weeks and you will receive a written report.

4.  Where will the tuition take place?

Will it be round the tutor’s kitchen table, in a quiet corner of your house (so you have to creep around for an hour or two) or in a professionally equipped tuition centre?

5.  What kind of resources will my child’s tutor have available?

A well worn text book and a bundle of tatty worksheets or a vast range of books (we have more than 300 individual text books), professionally designed worksheets (we have around 2500), exclusive computer software, audio, visual and kinaesthetic learning aids: which is better?  There’s only one way to find out: book a FREE assessment at the Better Tuition Centre on 0161 748 3912 and come and see the difference true professional dedication makes.

Finally, if you’re not after a tutor at all but would  like to track down a Zumba class run by a properly qualified professional, I can recommend Julia Norton.  She teaches at various locaitons in Urmston throughout the week and all the details are here. She is a great instructor and I can’t tell you how I know this but she doesn’t laugh at you if can’t do any of the steps whatsoever.