What Does an English Tutor Do? Discover How They Can Support Your Child's Academic Journey!

Are you a parent concerned about your child's English proficiency and wondering if you should use online resources or hire a professional to assist your child? Many parents are unsure about what an English tutor does and whether the investment is worthwhile. 

 In this blog, we will look at what an English tutor does, the signs that your child may need individualized English tutoring, and what to look for when hiring a professional tutor.

What Does an English Tutor Do?

An English tutor does a number of tasks and offers all of the services listed below to help students succeed in their academic and personal journey.

• Essay and Writing 

An English tutor will help your child improve his or her essay writing skills. They will guide your child through the entire writing process, beginning with brainstorming and ending with polishing the final draft. 

They teach students how to logically organize their thoughts, write strong thesis statements, and develop compelling arguments, among other things.

• Reading Comprehension

English tutors teach students how to go beyond just reading words to actually understanding the deep meaning of complex poems and novels. The tutor breaks down the text to help students understand difficult vocabulary, identify themes, analyze characters, and summarize articles.

• Grammar and Terminology

Your child will learn all the technical rules of the English language from an English tutor, including sentence structure, punctuation, and proper word usage. This will help students increase their vocabulary and become more proficient communicators.

• Exam Preparation Strategies

An English tutor can help your child prepare for tests like the SAT, ACT, or AP English by teaching them a variety of test-taking strategies for timed writing, reading speed, and logic that are used on standardized English exams.

• Homework and Project Guidance

An English tutor can assist your child with their regular school assignments and projects. They will also provide any additional explanations needed to help them understand and complete their schoolwork correctly and on time. 

What Are the Signs Your Child Needs English Tutoring? 

The following are the signs that your child is struggling with English and needs the help of an English tutor to get back on track.

• Low Grades

If you have noticed a drop in your child's English test scores when compared to other subjects and previous terms, it is a sign that your child needs English tutoring.

• Poor Sentence Framing

If you have noticed that your child stutters and has difficulty framing sentences verbally and in writing, it is a sign that they need English tutoring to understand the grammar rules and punctuation errors.

• Struggling With Classwork

If you’ve noticed that your child struggles with classwork and homework—either by taking too long or not completing it at all—it may be a sign that they require tutoring. 

• Low Confidence

“Many students perform poorly because of the mental strain caused by their anxiety of taking the test.” (source). Students who study hard are more likely to experience anxiety. 

It is a sign that your child needs an English tutor to help them overcome their anxiety and ensure that their hard work pays off.

What to Look For When Hiring an English Tutor?

When looking for an English tutor for your child, you must consider the following factors to ensure that you have chosen a trustworthy professional tutor. 

Features to Look for	Reasons It Matters
Experience	When searching for a tutor, you should make sure they have at least 10+ years of experience so you can be sure they have worked with all kinds of students and know how to address and correct their weaknesses.
Track Record	Make sure the tutor has a proven track record of success stories of students who have obtained exceptional marks on school or entrance exams.
Credentials	“34.6% of American tutors have college experience but have not yet earned a degree.” (source). This means that it is essential to ensure that the tutor has a high-level education degree, such as a PhD, so that you are confident that they have advanced skills and can guide your child in the right direction.
Custom Study Plans	You must ensure that the tutor creates custom study plans for your child by identifying specific weaknesses and developing a strategy to achieve the goals.

Why Is Individualized English Tutoring So Important? 

Here's why one-on-one tutoring is more beneficial to your child than tutoring in a crowded classroom.

• Safe Space  

Individualized English tutoring gives your child a safe space to ask questions without feeling uncomfortable. This is especially helpful for introverted students who are hesitant to ask questions in a crowded classroom. 

• Self-Paced  

With one-on-one tutoring, the tutor can slow down on difficult topics or speed up on specific topics based on the child's needs. It allows students to learn at their own pace rather than rushing to keep up with their peers. 

• Individual Weakness 

Individualized tutoring allows the tutor to offer complete personal attention to your child. This allows the tutor to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses and create a personalized study plan to help students achieve their academic goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How effective is online English tutoring for students?

Yes, regular attendance at online English tutoring sessions is just as beneficial as in-person tutoring.

Q2. Can English tutoring help students who are anxious about standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT?

Yes, an English tutor will make the students aware of the exam's structure, high-impact questions, and strategies for completing them on time, allowing them to be prepared and confident.

Conclusion

Now that you understand what an English tutor does, you can see how important their help is for your child's academic and personal success. Personalized English tutoring is extremely important because it provides a safe environment, personal attention, and customized study plans.

Elizabeth Breau, an award-winning PhD tutor, is among the English tutors who have over 10+ years of experience providing flexible and personalized tutoring to help students achieve their goals. Get in touch today by visiting the Prep for Success LLC website!