How do you go about tutoring?

[schmalex]

Hi, I got a 50 in economics and a 98.95 and really enjoy talking about economics and helping people with stuff and would be interested in tutoring people, but I have never had a tutor before and have a few questions

How often do tutor and tutee normally meet?
What's a reasonable price to charge? Is it worth it if you need money? (I don't have a job or parents who pay for all of my expenses)
What exactly would we do during such sessions?
Anything else I need to know as a tutor?

I'm really keen on doing this so any help would be much appreciated.

[schmalex]

Cool, thanks. I'm just a little bit nervous.

[physics]

you'll be fine.
talk to them as if they were ur peers. (only u get paid for it ++)

[eeps]

To add to EternalFailure's point, I have a tutor who finished VCE last year. Once a week should suffice. I think you should try and get a feel of the student(s)' capabilities - ask him/her what they've done in school (been taught) and focus on their weak areas. Be prepared (possibly have notes ready) or at least plan what you're going to do in that session.

Go at a reasonable pace and make sure he/she fully understands everything before moving on.

[schmalex]

Okay, so I just go through the course and teach it? That doesn't sound too bad.

[taiga]

Just try and suss out the weak points first, then fix them up buy going over the theory and making sure they can apply it via questions.

Then move on to build on from what they already know, such that when you introduce a new concept you can relate it to an older one.

I think at an entry level 20-25$ is a competitive price, but don't bank on it being your only income if you need alot of money though. Nobody likes a tutor who is too mercenary.

Once a week is good, but for economics you might run out of content quite quickly if your student is a quick learner. At that stage just give him or her a crapload of questions and only tell him to come when he has a significant amount of them to ask.

[eeps]

Okay, so I just go through the course and teach it? That doesn't sound too bad.

In short, yes - that's what my tutor did. Leave enough time for revision before the exam. My tutor was good in that prior to exams, he gave invaluable tips/advice. Do that as well. It makes a tutor all the better.

[lexitu]

Cool, thanks. I'm just a little bit nervous.

I was nervous in my first session too. For every new student I think there'll be a period of awkwardness. I'm sure there's always the fear in you that they might think you don't know what you're talking about. But after a few minutes of friendly chat and the showing of your expertise you and your student will soon be relaxed and can focus on the tutoring. Of course, you might get the student that doesn't react to your style of teaching, in that case you'd probably better adapt quickly or just agree not to tutor them anymore. Good luck with it

[schmalex]

Well I used to make about 80-90 a week at Coles, but sometimes I'd only work one shift and make about 45. So I'm hoping to make about 50+ a week next year, through whatever means.