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Do I Need A Tutor?

How do I know if I need a tutor?

For most people, learning English is something they need extra help with. Such people are often surprised at how much progress they can make with an English tutor. Read on, and see if an English tutor could be what you need.

First, you need to understand what an English tutor does. Generally speaking, an English tutor will coach you in the areas you need help in, giving you extra explanations, pronunciations, alternate meanings, correct sentence form, etc., or working through school assignments with you. Tutors are exceptionally good with helping people who are new to English or studying English for the first time. Tutors are not there to do the work for you, but to help guide you. Tutors do not take the place of a full English teacher or class, but rather as an aid or helper for you. Tutors usually charge a fee for their services, but in return they will work with you in whatever ways and for however long the two of you can agree on. This is why it is important to choose an English tutor who is right for you. Some tips for choosing a good tutor are located at the end of this page.

A common mistake made by English learners is, that by studying English with fellow English learners, they believe that it is helpful in learning the language more correctly and efficiently. This will never happen and you could end up making your learning experience a waste of time and actually have to unlearn incorrect things you thought were correct. NOTHING will help you more than learning from a native English speaker, that is someone born into and raised speaking English. Many students of English are fooled into believing that learning English from a non native speaking English person is as good as learning from a native English speaker. This is INCORRECT! Many non native English speakers claim they can help you learn English and that they are good at spoken English. DO NOT fall for this, or try this, if you are serious about learning to speak English correctly! It’s a shame some students learn such poor sounding English. If you bought a car from Honda, would you take it to the Ford dealer to get it fixed!!??

An English tutor can be hired for any amount of time you like. It’s up to you and the tutor to decide on what that can be. An English tutor can provide a fresh approach if you are finding your school teacher does not explain things in a manner you can understand, or give you enough time to practice, or take the time to really help you on a personal level. Often a classroom is not the best learning environment. Many people have been impressed with the results an English tutor can help them attain. It’s almost guaranteed that you will not only learn more and more accurately, you will speak clearer and with more confidence, and that will make you feel proud of the work you have done, and the skills you have learned, with the added bonus of gaining the respect from other native English speakers. An English tutor can also be an extremely great helper to those just arriving in Canada and do not know much English, yet do not want to, or have the means to take a full English course. An English tutor can help you with all the most basic and important words that will help you get around, read, or most important, communicate. An English tutor can also become your friend, something hard to find when you don't speak English well. Do you think you need a tutor?

When to seek an English tutor.

If you are just beginning to learn English.
If you want to continue learning and improving your English.
If you just arrived in Canada and need to start learning English.
If you're a home-stay or international student and learning English.
If you are having difficulty understanding people who speak English.
If you are having trouble speaking to other people in English.
If you are having problems writing or reading in English.
If you have trouble pronouncing English words.
If you are falling behind in class.
If you are performing poorly on tests.
If you want or need help preparing for an English test.
If you are having trouble understanding homework assignments.
If you are having problems communicating in English at School, Work or in Public.

What to look for in an English tutor.

Empathy - The tutor should be sensitive to the emotional and intellectual needs of the student.
Ability to Listen - Communication is both speaking and listening. A good tutor will listen more and speak less.
Patience - This is a tutor’s most important characteristic! Patience benefits both the student and the tutor!
Respect - A tutor should respect the student for his or her unique qualities.
Understanding - A tutor should understand how the student feels, and understand the situation if the roles were reversed.
Kindness - A tutor should always be kind and make the student feel good, never casting a negative attitude or anger toward the student.
Equality - A tutor should treat everyone equal, whether his student is young or old, male or female.
Encouraging - Essential to the student, The tutor will encourage the student to believe he or she will achieve their goals.
Enjoy their work - A tutor should enjoy tutoring because of the satisfaction of seeing the student achieve their goals, not simply as a means of earning money. A tutor must have a sincere interest in helping the student learn English.

*Please keep in mind, English Tutors are knowledgeable but they will not know everything. Truthfully, no one knows everything. If a tutor does not know an answer, he or she will tell you and attempt to find the answer for you.