How to tutor

<p>I'm a freshman who might start tutoring a 10th grader in next several weeks. I have absolutely no experience in tutoring, and I'm nervous about starting it. Also, I lack social skills, and I'm worried if this will make tutoring more difficult. I got A's on the subject I'm going to tutor, but I know knowing and teaching are two different things. Just because you are good at something doesn't mean you can teach it well, right?
Could anyone with experience please give me tips about how to tutor?
Thanks.</p>

<p>Being that this is one-on-one tutoring, you only have one student whose needs you have to meet. This makes things easier.</p>

<p>The most important thing is to make sure you know what the student struggles with and what pace he learns at. Ask a lot of questions about if he understands the material, what he's doing in school, what sort of progress he's made so far, etc. Also ask him how he learns best and try to develop a strategy based on that. (Some students prefer to write the information out to grasp it better, others are better at having someone read to them). Also, some students are best when the information is applied to something. Think about it enough in advance that you have good examples to work from when you're teaching.</p>

<p>Lacking social skills shouldn't be a problem since you're not there to take this kid out to lunch or something. I've had teachers who I KNOW have no social skills/social life who can teach and work with students with no problem.</p>

<p>Whatever you do be prepared for anything. Make sure he brings his book and notes. Do your part by bringing paper, pencils, calculators, etc.</p>

<p>What subject are you going to tutor?</p>

<p>I tutor kids from K-8 through a program here at my school. I find that the way to tutor really depends on the kid and the subject. Also, are you there for homework help or analyzing weaknesses or both? For example, if I'm tutoring someone in math, it really helps to figure out what they do and don't know. I have 7th graders right now who are still counting out addition and subtraction on their fingers, so that helps me to know that I need to get some flashcards and drill them.</p>