Ask Micki: Non-academic Tutoring?

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a chance to tutor a subject that is not an academic subject, but I'm not sure about taking the job.

You see, usually I tutor English, but I also play the guitar. Recently one of my English tutoring clients asked if it would be willing to tutor her in guitar, too. I'm really used to the English tutoring style (essays, grammar, etc.), but I have never tutored a non-academic subject. Should I go for it? Is there anything I need to know or do differently for music tutoring?

Thanks for the help - Tony P., English Tutor, from Mt. Pleasant, SC

Answer: Hi, Tony! First off, yes, I would definitely take the guitar tutoring gig if you feel comfortable enough with your skill set to pass along your knowledge. Tutoring, whether a nontraditional or academic subject, is all based off of the same principle - to help a tutee master a set of skills.

Tutoring music is a lot like tutoring any other subject. You will be helping your tutee learn skills (guitar chords, music reading, etc), that she can put into action. The only difference is that instead of turning in a paper, she'll be strumming a song.

I know a lot of music tutors who also tutor academic subjects, and they actually prefer the convenience of being able to tutor multiple subjects with a tutee they already familiar with - there are a lot of benefits with this arrangement: you already have a great working relationship with your tutee, you already know his/her learning style, you know the route to the tutoring location, you know how the tutoring session will go, etc..

Even better, some of these tutors have told me that tutoring something a little more fun, like music or sports, actually improved their academic tutoring sessions. One tutor I spoke with told me that tutoring clarinet once a week with his tutee improved their tutoring relationship, and made their math tutoring a lot more relaxed and effective.

So, the quick answer to your question is: Yes! I would go for it - Have fun branching out and tutoring something a bit outside of your norm!

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Negative Tutee

Question: Hi, Micki! I'm an English tutor who has been having some trouble with a tutee being really negative. Every time we get together for tutoring, he tells me "my professor hates me," "English stinks," "my professor wants us all to fail," etc. I've tried boosting his confidence during tutoring, but it's not helping. The tutoring sessions are really negative, and I think it is preventing him from learning the material. What to do?

Thanks,
Michelle W., English Tutor from Madison, WI

Answer: Hi, Michelle. Sorry to hear that your tutoring session have been such a downer. Negativity can drag down even the most positive tutor, and can be tough on both the tutor and the tutee. Since your tutee is frustrated with his course, maybe you could approach his learning style during tutoring. Maybe respond with something like:

"Sorry to hear that this class is giving you a hard time this semester. Let's check out a few of the things that are giving you grief. I'm sure we'll be able to work through the problems together, and give you a good understanding of the material."

" I don't think that your professor hates you. He/she may just have a different learning style than you do. Let's go through the material together so that you'll have a great understanding of things, even if your professor isn't totally clear."

"Let's review how you've been studying and doing your essays/homework. Maybe we can find some ways to streamline things a bit, and make your homework (and lecture) time less stressful."

Notice, in all of these responses, you're getting your tutee actively involved in finding tutoring solutions with you.

Now there are those rare cases when a professor and student really don't get along, or the professor is simply (forgive my tactless word choice) a jerk. In those cases, your tutee may not be able to solve things through tutoring. If the professor is really awful, he/she may need to go to the school administration to figure things out.

That being said, a lot of students are convinced that they have a prfoessor who is trying to fail everyone in the class. In most of those cases, a different learning approach during tutoring can help. And remember, a positive tutor can work wonders for confidence, self-esteem, and learning.

Good luck an, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: 3 Hours of Tutoring?

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question about how long is too long for weekly tutoring sessions. I tutor a college student in Chemistry, and he was letting me know about his class schedule this semester. My tutee is carrying a lot of units, and was wondering if we could do a three hour tutoring session once a week instead of our usual three-one hour tutoring sessions. Any thoughts on this tutoring idea?

- Chem Tutor in SC

Answer: Hi Chem Tutor - good question! The short answer to your tutee's question is "no." For weekly tutoring, the three hour session is typically not the best way to go for a variety of reasons: concentration, tutoring burn out, knowledge retention, and test schedule incompatabilities are some of those reasons.

A three hour chemistry class would be bad enough, but having to stay focused and eager to learn during three hours of tutoring is nearly impossible. Plus, having to remember important details and concepts for six days straight could be a problem, particularly during exam time.

My advice would be to sit down with your tutee and try to find three mutually workable days/times for your tutoring meetings. If there is any way that you can fit in three one hour tutoring sessions, or even two 90 minute tutoring sessions, I would definitely do that.

Maybe, to make things easier, you two could meet at the school's library, at a halfway point, on weekends, early mornings, or later at night? Stop back and let us know how things work out for you!

And, as always, happy tutoring!