New ITA Blog Update

Great news - The new and improved ITA blog is up and running!
Head over to Tumblr, and see what's new!

http://itatutors.tumblr.com/

Message from ITA: New blog coming soon!

Hi all,

Just a quick heads up to let you all know that a new ITA blog is on the way!

What does this mean for you?
Plenty! The new blog will have a few great new features, including an easier way for you to submit all of your burning "Ask Micki" questions.  Plus, we are rolling out a new streamlined layout that will make reading, posting, and searching easier than ever!

Don't worry - we will still be maintaining access to the old ITA blog (accessible through a link on the new blog), just in case you want to go back through any of the old postings.

As soon as we get the new blog functioning at 100%, we'll be posting the new link, and a Tweet announcing the unveiling!

Message from ITA: Privacy Policy and T&C Locations

Hi, all!
Recently we had a question from someone asking about the location of our privacy policy and terms and conditions.  It got us talking about the possibility that other visitors to the site may be missing them as well.

Since we strive to be as upfront and transparent with our policies as possible, we thought it might be a good idea to take a few minutes and post links to the policy pages for everyone. 

Privacy Policy: http://www.itatutor.org/privacy.php
Terms & Conditions: http://www.itatutor.org/FAQ-tc.php

These policies are also available by scrolling to the bottom of the FAQs page on the ITA website.   
 Thanks everyone for your time!

Ask Micki: Really dislike my tutor

© sxc.hu/deboer

Question: Hi, Micki. I am a tutee with a question, and I'm hoping it doesn't make me sound like a complete jerk. 

I get tutored through my school's learning center, and they assign you a tutor to work with for the semester.  Last semester, I had a great tutor who helped me get a B in trigonometry, a virtual miracle for me!  She was friendly, funny, and really helpful.

This year, though, my old tutor has graduated, and I was assigned someone new.  Here's the thing, I really dislike my new tutor. 

He's a pretty decent tutor (not the best I've had, but not the worst either), but he is so difficult to get along with during our tutoring sessions that it is driving me crazy.  He's kind of argumentative, says some abrasive things, and is very curt with how he talks to me.

We've talked a little bit about it, but he tells me that I'm being too sensitive, and that once I get to know him I'll "get over it."  It's been 2 months, and things are only getting worse every week.

Needless to say, I'm not happy. 

Any ideas on what to do next?
During our last meeting, he practically yelled at me for "not getting" a complex math problem, told me to "shut up" when I asked a question, and then got huffy when I said that I needed more time to work on it.

Thanks, Micki.
Signed, Allison P. from SC


Answer: Hi, Allison, sorry to hear about your tutoring situation.  Conflicts in personality, and attitude types not meshing, can make tutoring difficult.  In some cases it becomes uncomfortable, and that can lead to unproductive tutoring that can feel like a total waste of time.

Sorry to say, that sounds like the boat you are in right now with your tutor.  Since you've tried talking things through with him, and that didn't work, your next step should be talking to the learning center coordinator at your school.

Trust me when I say that the person in charge of the tutor learning center has undoubtedly heard this before, and he or she should have something in place to help match you with a more suitable tutor.  I am 99% sure that your learning center supervisor has fixed a situation just like yours before, and it won't be a big deal to switch to someone more suitable for your tutoring needs. 

That said, I also think that it is important for you to be very open and honest with the learning center supervisor.  Tell her exactly what you wrote in here to the blog.  It is important for the supervisor of the learning center  to know what is going on with the tutors.  Let him or her know that this tutor could use help with communication, and express your thoughts on how he makes you feel during sessions.

Tutoring requires patience, great communication skills, and the ability to help others learn.  It doesn't sound like he is performing too well on any of those fronts right now, and may need some help in the form of tutor training.  Harsh as it may sound, if your tutor refuses to change after talking to a supervisor, it may be best that he find another line of work. 

*****
Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/deboer

Field Notes: The radio as an ESL learning tool

The radio has been around for a long time, and yet I feel as though it is one of the most overlooked learning tools for ESL students and ESL tutors.

I often ask my students to tune in to the radio in between tutoring sessions.  Why?  A lot of reasons!

1. The radio is an excellent way to pick up new ESL vocabulary.  This is especially true if your ESL students tune in and listen to a talk radio station such as NPR.

2. The radio is an excellent way for ESL students to listen to conversations in English in between tutoring sessions.  Being able to hear normal to fast-paced dialogue is great practice for the real world.

3. Exposure to conversational English is also a winner when it comes to learning about culture.  Music, jokes, topics of conversation, and holiday talk can all be great help to the ESL tutee who wants to learn more about the culture in which he or she is living.  Ask your tutees to bring a radio discussed topic or two with them to the next ESL tutoring session.

4. Music is a fantastic way to learn English.  Have you ever heard a catchy tune in an unfamiliar language?  Try it sometime.  I guarantee, after several listens, you will be singing along in another language!  With the help of a dictionary, frequently sung words suddenly go from being a mystery to being part of your ESL student's vocabulary.

The next time you get together with your students for ESL tutoring, bring up the radio idea.  It is fun, and your students are guaranteed to love it!

Tammy (again) from WI :)

Ask Micki: Sale on tutoring?

© sxc.hu/Thoursie

Question: Hi, I have a question that deals with the business side of tutoring.

Is it inappropriate to offer sales or promotions for tutoring services?

Here's my idea: I'd like to have a "Back to school" type of deal where I give parents 20% off of my tutoring services.  It would be for tutoring appointments in September only, and would last from September 1st through the end of September.  Is this a good idea? Bad idea? Inappropriate in any way?

Thank you so much for your help!
Becky Anne from MI


Answer: Hi, Becky Anne -  This is a great idea!  Everyone loves a deal, and offering a discount for your tutoring services is not inappropriate at all.  I have heard from a lot of tutors who have done this, and they all report great success with the technique!

Plus, the fact that you are making this an exciting, focused ("Back to School"), limited time promotion almost guarantees success.

On another note, you are also doing your tutees a favor.  With the economy being like it is right now, I know that your tutoring parents will really appreciate the break in cost, especially with all of the other back to school expenses looming overhead.

Good luck with your sale, and stop by when you get a chance to let us know how it worked out for you!

Ask Micki: Another Helicopter Parent Dilemma

© sxc.hu/ilco

Question: Hi, there, Micki, I need some advice on an irritating situation involving my tutee's mom. 

I tutor an 18 year old student in math, and he is a really great tutee to work with every week.  He really puts in the effort, is always on time for tutoring, pays attention during tutoring, works extra time to understand the concepts, and always has his homework finished so that we can review it together.  In other words, he is a dream tutee!

Unfortunately, his mom is a complete helicopter parent, and won't let us work for more than about 5 minutes without interrupting.  I may sound as though I'm exaggerating, but I'm not.  Last time I tutored, I covertly timed how often we were cut off during tutoring.  It was, on average, once every 4 minutes.  She'd tell him he was doing the problem wrong, would tell him to make sure an pay attention (the irony!), or would interrupt to tell him about the chores he would have to do after tutoring.  Needless to say, this is creating problems for getting through tutoring sessions, and each session probably only contains about 30 minutes of actual tutoring thanks to all the interruptions.

She's a nice woman, but it is getting kind of annoying.  I've tried subtly asking for a quiet space with no interruptions, and have asked her politely for fewer distractions.  Even my tutee has asked her (very nicely) to stop interrupting.  It did nothing.  She doesn't insist that we meet at her home, so do you think it would be appropriate to move to another place?

Help, please!
Anonymous

Answer: Hi, Anonymous, thanks for the question, and sorry to hear that you're dealing with the dreaded chopper parent.  It can be tough, frustrating, and the constant disruptions can really rob your tutee of proper tutoring. 

That said, it may make you feel a bit better to know that you are not alone.  Helicopter parenting seems to be a growing phenomenon, and it is definitely creeping into the tutoring arena.  In fact, we have had our fair share of questions on this blog alone about how to work around this helicopter parenting.  It may not always be easy, but it can be done!

It sounds like you and your tutee have already taken the first step - good communication about the situation.  Since it didn't work out, it is time to go to Plan B. 

Yes, by all means, try someplace different.  Move to a different tutoring location, somewhere quiet where you can both concentrate on math.  Try meeting at your tutee's school, at a local library, or at a local community center room.  In all of these places, the tutoring environment is typically quiet, perfect for studying, and that there are often ample resources (math books, WiFi, online math tutorials, etc.) that you can both use during tutoring.

In fact, once the summer is over, and school starts up again, meeting someplace closer to your tutee's school (such as a local library, his school library, etc.) may work out great, and be easier for both of you when it comes to scheduling and convenience. 

Good luck!

Ask Micki: Yes or No?

© sxc.hu/ba1969

Question: Hey, Micki, I need a quick answer to a question about prizes and tutoring rewards.  I tutor kids in English, mostly elementary school students in grammar, spelling, etc. 

Since most of my tutees are under the age of 11, they are still excited about stickers, pencils, toys, etc.  I was thinking that it may be a good idea to implement some prizes or rewards for my young tutees, but my friend said that you should never bribe kids.

Help!
Alan from PA

Answer: Hey there, Alan, thanks for the question.  First of all, I have to say, that even as a full grown woman, I still love stickers, pencils, and toys, so you are never too old for the fun stuff - it never goes out of style!

Second, little prizes and rewards for your young tutees are definitely not the same thing as a bribe.  A bribe, in the spirit of the word, is a way of controlling another person (typically making him or her going against his or her ethical beliefs) by promising money or goods. 

Providing prizes, on the other hand, is a way of rewarding great behavior, good study habits, and enthusiastic learning.  In other words, prizes are similar to a raise at work, or a medal for winning a competition - they act as rewards, and help enforce good behavior. Nothing wrong with that!

Ask Micki: Free or cheap math tutoring supplies?

© RAWKU5

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a quick question for you. I have just started tutoring really recently, as in a few days ago, and I was wondering if you could help me figure out what supplies to get.

I tutor math to elementary school children, and I am looking for some fun math supplies to get that will make tutoring a little more exciting for my tutees. 

The thing is, I am also on an extremely tight budget.  I'm a single mom to 2 kids, and don't have much expendable income after bills, food, and everyday life expenses.

Any ideas that won't cost anything, but will be fun (and educational) for my little math tutees?
Thanks for your help, Micki,
Angie (ITA tutor from CA) 

Answer: Hi, Angie! Good for you, wanting to make math more fun for the kids while still teaching them what they need to know - your tutees will love you for it! 

The good news is, it doesn't have to cost a fortune to have fun math learning tools on hand for your tutees.  In fact, it can range from free to only a few cents in printing costs.

Your first stop should be right here at ITA!
Check out the resources that we have just for math tutors:
http://www.scribd.com/collections/2907423/Mathematics

Some of these will obviously be a bit out of range for your elementary school math needs, but a lot of them will work great for your tutees.  Best of all, they are free!

There are also some free resources out there for math tutors that can be found online.  Head to your favorite search engine, type in, "printable free math resources," "printable math tutor worksheets free" or something along those lines, and take your pick of some good resources for math tutors.  A word of caution: the majority of these resources will be for personal use only.  In other words, you can't reproduce these and sell them, claim them as your own, etc.  But they should be just fine for what you will be using them for - tutoring your math tutees. 

Last but not least, don't overlook your own creativity! Try your hand at making paper (or clay) pizzas and pies for fraction work, colorful worksheets for addition, fun little quizzes for subtraction, math games, flashcards, etc.  Get creative, keep it colorful, have fun, and ask about what types of things your tutee kids would like to see (Dinosaurs, Cowboys, Sharks, Horses, etc.).  Not sure what age your own children are, but if they are about the same age as your tutees, try running some ideas past them. 

Good luck, and stop by when you get a chance to let us know how things worked out for you!

**********
Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/RAWKU5

Field Notes: Math Flashcards

When I found this blog, I knew that I had to write a quick post to sing the praises of flash cards for tutoring math - they are phenomenal, and my tutees and I love it when we use them.

Why?
Easy! They are easy to personalize, can be changed based on my student's math level at the time, and are economical enough that I have a set of math flash cards for every student I tutor. 

So how do I use them, and do they work?
Well, first let me tell you a little about my tutees - I tutor math to 2nd-5th grade kids.  Not exactly a thrilled bunch when it comes to doing math problems.  I knew I needed something more entertaining than their math class books and practice assignments.

So, I talked to each kid I tutored, and figured out some of his or her interests.  Then, I personalized each set of flashcards with pictures and stickers of their favorite subjects.  One of my tutees loves horses, so her flashcards are horse themed. 

Of course, all of the flash cards also reflect the level of math tutoring that we are working on at the time.  Using the horse flashcards as an example: my tutee is working on multiplication and division.  So, along with pictures and stickers of horses, each card features a multiplication problem or a division problem.  Putting the flashcards couldn't be any easier, and my tutees really seem to enjoy them.

I have also noticed some positive changes since I began using these flashcards a few months ago.  My tutees became a lot more interested in math tutoring, and their grades improved.  It's been great for all of us, and I even earned a nickname from one of my students - "The Flashcard Lady." :)

Field Notes: Food and Drink in ESL Tutoring

Field Notes: Using Food and Drink in ESL Tutoring

After my ESL students and I got back from our field trip together, I realized that I had another tip to share about how to make ESL tutoring a huge hit, a lot of fun, and educational all at the same time!

This ESL tutoring technique is all about food and drink (something we plenty of at the farmers market).

Yes, it is great to bring in food to work on vocabulary (apple, banana, carrot, cookie) and grammar (this is a cookie, these are carrots, etc.), but the learning with food and drink realia for ESL tutoring goes beyond that.

Food is a very cultural product.  What is completely normal to eat in one location may be completely outside of the realm of "normal food" for another culture.  I'll never forget one student I had who was so excited about sunflower seeds.  He had never tried them before, and it was love at first bite! 

Try bringing in a few foods to your next ESL tutoring session.  A few students may love the foods, and a few may hate them.  Either way, a good time will be had by all, and the conversation will be flowing.

The point is, sharing foods from each of your cultures is a great exercise in cultural learning, vocabulary, grammar, and traditions.  I believe that when learning a language, it is important to immerse yourself fully in that culture.  Seek out foods, try traditional drinks, listen to the music, watch the cartoons...whatever gets you involved at a cultural level.  Food is a huge part of this immersion. 

Food as ESL tutoring realia is also a great chance to learn how to follow directions in English.  If you are comfortable doing so, all of you can meet at someone's home, and make some type of food together.  Better yet, make it a full on meal, with each ESL student following a different recipe.  This will allow your ESL tutees to gain confidence in reading comprehension.  Plus, who doesn't love a good meal prepared with enthusiasm?

~ Tammy

Ask Micki: Tutee Poaching

© datarec

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a situation here that is really ticking me off, and it involves an ex-friend, and fellow tutor.


Here's what has happened: my friend and I decided to start tutoring math during our first year of college.  We used to kind of cover for one another, and when she couldn't make appointments, I'd cover for her.  Of course, if I couldn't make sessions, she'd cover for me.  It worked out great, and at one point, we even talked about going into business together.

I'm glad we didn't.  Now, a few years later we are both still tutoring, but there's a problem.  She has been stealing my clients.

She has dropped her rate to a ridiculously low amount (about 25% of what she used to charge. What I still charge.  It is a very fair rate.), and she has been putting ads up at school about avoiding the expensive tutors and hiring her instead.  She has also taken down my posters from the school bulletin boards, I've watched her do it.

To make matters worse, one of my tutees told me that when she ran into her at school, my ex-friend started bad mouthing me, saying that I charge too much, and that she is just as good for much cheaper.  The thing is, I have heard from other tutees that she is not as good, just way cheaper. 

It makes me wonder how many other tutees she told this to who didn't tell me.  Let's just say, I've lost about 10 clients this year, and I'm not happy about it.

What do I do? I've tried talking to her, and all she did was tell me to "get over it" or lower my prices.  We have tried talking about it before, and it always ends badly.  So now what do I do?  Put up ads talking about how cheaper isn't better? Talk to her clients about her? I'm really annoyed, and not sure how to handle this.

Thanks,
Anon.



Answer: Hello, there, anonymous.
Wow, that's an uncomfortable and frustrating situation, I'm sure.

The good news is that it sounds like you are dedicated to quality tutoring at fair rates.  Chances are, several of the tutees who switched to her lower rates will be coming back to you once they discover that they miss the quality tutoring you provide.  The tutees who have stuck with you know that it is about value, not low price, and that they are getting a lot for their money with your services.   

So, keep your head up, and don't let it get you down (I know, easier said than done, but give it your best shot!).  Just continue to offer good tutoring at fair rates, and you will get clients who want to learn.  Word spreads fast, and good tutors are always in high demand. 

Since it sounds like you two are beyond talking about this, we need to move on to Plan B.  As annoying as this situation is, the first thing to do is take a step back from the situation.  Stay calm, cool, and collected.  Getting angry won't help, and a smear campaign is only going to make things worse.

Instead, talk to the clients you have now.  For the tutee who mentioned having talked to your ex-friend, be honest about your concerns.  Let him or her know that there may be cheaper services out there, but that they get what they pay for.  Don't name names, and don't use this as an opportunity to stoop to your ex-friends level.  You are simply giving your client an idea of why you charge what you do. 

Offer loyalty incentives for current clients.  Give them bulk discounts for paying up front (guaranteeing future business).  Offer discounts after sticking with you for X amount of months.  Provide additional services, such as homework verification services, etc.  You get the idea - give little bonuses that keep your tutees coming back for more. 

Also, try widening your tutoring area.  Put up flyers at other schools.  Tutor other ages, such as elementary school or junior high.  Try advertising your tutoring at local community centers.  Anything to distance yourself from the pettiness that seems to be taking place on your school's bulletin boards.

Also, like I said earlier, just continue to provide great tutoring, and word will get around.  Good tutors are always in demand, and people will pay for quality.

Good luck!

---------------------
© sxc.hu/datarec

Field Notes: ESL Tutor Field Trips

I recently returned from a field trip that I took with a few of my ESL tutees, and I just had to share my great experience with my fellow tutors!

I tutor a small group of ESL students in very beginning English.  We're still working on basic vocabulary and grammar, and I am always looking for ways to keep the ESL tutoring fresh and fun.  I know how boring ESL can get, as I was an ESL student many, many years ago. 

Anyway, a while back, I wrote in this blog about realia, and the fun of bringing "stuff" into your ESL tutor sessions.  Well, yesterday I took that a step further, and 3 of my students and I took a trip to the local farmers market.  It was great, and we had a blast!

The benefits of planning out an ESL field trip like this were many.  It gave my ESL tutees:

1) The opportunity to practice their vocabulary with the vendors.  Buying fruits, vegetables, and other items allowed my students the opportunity to brush up on (and practice) their vocabulary.  They were able to practice known words while picking up new words and phrases.  I made sure that each of them had their vocabulary books with them so that they could write down the new words and phrases.

2) A chance to practice their conversational skills and grammar in a casual social setting.  Being able to converse with one another in English, talk to the farmers market vendors, speak with other shoppers, and talk to me in a relaxed environment gave my ESL tutees the chance to relax and enjoy their new language skills.  Each of them came to me afterward, and told me how easy it was to practice speaking English when they felt comfortable and excited about what they were seeing at the market.

3) An opportunity to take the idea of realia to the next level.  Pictures of fruit can be pretty, but it is no substitute for the real thing.  Seeing, touching, and smelling the fruit is a sure fire way to get the physical piece of fruit, and the vocabulary word, linked together permanently in the mind.

4) An opportunity to work with money.  Paying for goods, receiving change, and figuring out costs in US dollars was a great exercise that my ESL students were excited about.  This part of the day made me happy for all of that realia "play" money we had worked with together! It was great to see my students feeling so confident.   

5) The chance to get to know one another a bit better.  While my students and I talked over lunch, we all had the opportunity to learn more about one another.  This is invaluable, and will undoubtedly make us all more relaxed (and ready to learn) during our next ESL tutoring session.

We had a great day together.  My ESL tutees learned new words and phrases, they had the opportunity to practice their new English skills, and they gained confidence in conversation.  Plus, it was just good, old fashioned fun!  The next time any of you ESL tutors have a session, try taking your lessons on the road.  You'll be glad you did! 

Tammy (still from WI :)

Ask Micki: Learning French, Tutoring French

© pinzino

Question: Hello, Micki, I have a question about foreign language tutoring and I am hoping you can help me. 

I began taking French over a year ago now, and enjoy every minute of it.  While I am far (really, really far) from being fluent, I am very comfortable being at the intermediate level.  I understand the grammar, the language rules, and have an intermediate level vocabulary. 

My question is this: I was contacted by someone who has a 12 year old daughter.  She has just started taking french in junior high, and is starting from the very basics.  I was asked about tutoring this student in French, but I am not sure if I should say yes.

Like I said, I'm not fluent.  Is it unethical, or wrong, or anything to tutor someone in a language that you yourself are not 100% fluent in yet?

Thanks for the help,
Olivia from IL


Answer: Hi, Olivia.  Good question - my short and sweet answer - go for it!

You will be tutoring this young girl in the basics of French and, from the sounds of it, you have already mastered that level.  So, for this young girl, you are an expert at basic French.  Even if in your own mind you have a way to go before being fluent, at this basic French level, you sound as though you are more than qualified to tutor. 

You don't have to know everything there is to know about a language (or any subject for that matter) to tutor it.  It just helps to know more than your tutee, and (of course) to know how to properly tutor your tutee.

Think of it this way - if you had been contacted about tutoring junior high level algebra, and you know advanced algebra, then you would be qualified to tutor algebra at various levels.  You wouldn't need to know calculus and linear algebra to tutor basic algebra, you would just need to know how to tutor your junior high student at the level of algebra that he or she actually needs. 

So, yes, I would definitely go for it. Have fun! Chances are your enthusiasm for your new language will be good for your tutee, and will make the tutoring sessions even better!

*****
Photo credit: © sxc.hu/pinzino

Ask Micki: Question from a tutee

© linder6580

Question:  Hi, there, Micki, I have a question for you. Not as a tutor, but as a tutee. 

I am a grad student at university, and I get tutoring at my university's learning center.  My tutor is a smart guy, and a good tutor, but he is making me really uncomfortable with his pushy flirting.  It started out innocently enough, and I kind of tried to ignore it, but lately it has gotten out of hand.

I don't feel comfortable being hit on by my tutor.  I'm there to learn, plus I am already in a relationship with someone. I told him all of this, told him that he needed to stop, and told him that he was making me uncomfortable, but it didn't do any good.  He's still being pushy.

Last week he kept putting his hand on my leg, asking me to stay late until the tutoring center closed.  Then he went on about the things he could do for me after hours.  It was bad enough that I canceled my tutoring session for this week.  I don't want it affecting my grades, but I don't want to hurt his feelings.  What do I do?  This doesn't seem right to me.

Thanks,
Anonymous and needing help!


Answer: Hi, Anonymous. Yikes, that sounds awkward, and (honestly) a bit scary! Sorry you are going through it, but I applaud you for knowing where to draw the line when it comes to keeping the tutoring professional. 

You are right when you say that what he is doing seems wrong - what your tutor is doing is against the ethics followed by professional tutors.  He is being completely unprofessional, and taking away the effectiveness of the tutoring environment.  

You mentioned that you already tried talking to him, and it didn't work out, so my suggestion of trying to have a conversation with him about it is out.  It sounds as though this tutor is beyond the conversation phase of things. 

You also mentioned that you are getting tutoring at your university's learning center, so I assume that there is someone in charge there (a director, a supervisor, etc.).  I would recommend talking to the supervisor in charge of the learning center, and let him or her know about what has been going on with you and your tutor. 

Be prepared to give details, times and dates (to the best of your recollection), and be open and honest about how it is making you feel.  

Chances are, he or she can help you two get things figured out, or refer you to another tutor who will behave more appropriately.  Either way, your tutor's behavior is beyond inappropriate, and he needs to have a talk with the person in charge about it. 

Letting a supervisor know what's been happening will help you, and prevent him from making other tutee's uncomfortable in the future. 

Honestly, if you want my personal recommendation, I would talk to the learning center supervisor request a new tutor, because this young man does not sound as though he knows how to behave appropriately with his tutees. 

Whatever you do, don't let this turn you off of tutoring completely - trust me, there are plenty of well trained, ethical, great tutors out there who know how to treat tutees with respect. 

Good luck, and please, stop by and let us know how things went!

*****
Photo Credit:
© sxc.hu/linder6580
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/linder6580

Ask Micki: Focus or no focus?

© ljleavell

Question: Hi there, Micki. I'm a new tutor who is excited about getting started in the business.  I've tutored my first few people, and enjoyed every minute of it.  I like working with people of all different ages and levels of understanding. The challenge is fun, and it keeps my job interesting. 

Problem for me is that I'm having trouble choosing a tutoring focus. 

Most of my friends who tutor are "college level English tutors," "junior high algebra tutors," "high school chemistry tutors," or some other specific type of tutor.

Me, on the other hand, I have been bouncing around between math and chemistry at all levels, elementary school all the way through college. 

How do I narrow in and choose a single focus for my tutoring? Do I need to? Will it help my tutoring business down the road if I make a choice to narrow in on a certain kind of tutoring?

Thanks,
Jay from CA

Answer: Hi, Jay, thanks for the question!

My shortest answer for your question is, "Nope!"
But let me give you the longer version of my answer, too.  :-)

Right now, you are in a great tutoring situation.  You possess the enthusiasm for tutoring, you like tutoring all levels, you have a knowledge of two often troublesome subjects for students (math and chemistry), and you enjoy the ability to assist students at all grade levels.  I'd say you are doing well just the way you are working things now. 

Not everyone is comfortable tutoring certain age groups (kids, junior high students, adults, etc.), and not everyone is comfortable tutoring certain knowledge levels (beginning, advanced, etc.).  You, on the other hand, seem comfy tutoring at pretty much any age and any level - that is a strength, for sure, and will only benefit you in the tutoring profession. 

As for your tutoring business, I'd say the more people you can help, the better off you are (for a host of reasons - the joy of helping others, being able to assist a wide array of students, an increase in business due to your varied level focus, etc.).  So don't change a thing.

In other words...Get out there and tutor whoever, and whatever, you'd like! 

Good luck, and happy tutoring!

-------------------
Photo credit:
© sxc.hu/ljleavell
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ljleavell

Field Notes: Never Assume

I wanted to share something that happened to me this week that I think might help another tutor out there. 

I just recently encountered something that, in my 17 years of tutoring, I have never had before - my tutee started crying during tutoring. 

It kind of came out of nowhere, really caught me off guard, and I just kind of froze at first.  I'm not a very emotional girl, and I don't come from a very emotional family, so I was kind of at a loss as to what to do. 

To make matters more unexpected, my tutee is a big, grown man (sports player) in his late-20s, who just went to pieces on me during tutoring. 

We obviously stopped what we were doing (going over equations), he took a few minutes, composed himself, and then we took a few minutes to talk. 

I asked him, without getting too personal, to let me in on what was bothering him.  I figured it was pure frustration with the material (calculus), and that he was fed up with the difficulties he was having with the class (he was barely getting a C-).

Turns out, it was far worse than mere coursework or tutoring frustration. 

He has an elderly relative who is very ill.  A relative he has been very close to since he was a kid, and the thought of losing this relative is breaking his heart. 

The tears didn't stem from frustration, but from being overwhelmed.  The situation with his relative, combined with working 40+ hours every week, family problems, sports obligations, and a full time course schedule, was just too much for him to handle. 

Understandably so.  It would have driven me to tears as well.

After talking for a few more minutes, we switched gears, and went into problem solving mode again. 

But this time it wasn't math problems we were solving.  This time we were going over some stress management strategies, laying out a better study schedule, and discussing ways that he could lighten his schedule a little bit. 

At the end of our 10 minute discussion, my tutee felt better, and I had learned something important. 

Never assume. 

Assuming that my tutee was simply frustrated would have made me miss out an opportunity to get to know my tutee better. 

My incorrect assumption also would have robbed my tutee of the opportunity to "get things off his chest."

The wrong assumption would have eliminated the possibility of having a constructive discussion with my tutee, and subsequently wouldn't have allowed me and my tutee to come up with some strategies for dealing with his schedule and stress level. 

So any tutors out there who find themselves in a similar tutoring situation, remember: Communication is key! Don't assume anything, and keep those lines of communication flowing between tutor and tutee. 

Anonymous in MA

Ask Micki: What to do?

© andreyutzu

Question: Hi, Micki, I need some assistance figuring out a situation with a tutee. 

Here's what's up. I have a tutee who is a good friend of mine.  I have tutored her in math for the past 3 years, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Now, she has moved on to both a pre-calculus and a statistics course.  The pre-calculus is no problem at all.  We're working together with it, and it is going well.

The statistics class is another story, and I have to admit that I am lost.  Like, completely lost.  I have no idea about any of the concepts, and just don't feel comfortable at all tutoring her.  What can I do? 

Will it ruin our tutoring relationship if I find her another tutor? I know a student who is great with stat, and would be a good fit for my tutee's personality and schedule.  I just don't know if I should go for it or not.  Is it an unprofessional thing to do in the tutoring world?

Thanks,
Janet H.


Answer: Hi there, Janet! I think it is great that you have worked with your tutee for 3 years, and that you two have had such a successful tutoring relationship for so long - congrats! 

I also think that it is admirable that you put enough energy and care into your tutoring sessions that you recognize when it is time to refer your tutee to another tutor, and take the time to make it happen. 

The short answer?  Definitely give her that referral!

It is considered very professional to refer within the tutoring world.  Not only that, referrals between tutors are encouraged, and help to strengthen the professional tutoring community as a whole.  You want the best for your tutee, and if that means finding another tutor who can help her more effectively, that is the most professional thing you can do for her.

So refer away!  Your tutee will appreciate it, the referred tutor will appreciate it, and you will be happy sticking to tutoring pre-calculus.  Everyone wins!
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Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/andreyutzu
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/andreyutzu

We asked, you answered!

Here are the results!

 

The breakdown by the numbers (multiple choices allowed) was:
Math: 70%

Foreign Languages: 75%

English: 66%

Humanities & Social Sciences: 33%

Tutoring Business Tools: 25%

Other: 8%

Thanks again to all the tutors who voted - be watching for more learning resources in the areas you requested!

Ask Micki: Mom wants to get involved

© ilco

Question: Hi, Micki.  I have a rare sighting that I want to share with you today.  It's a sighting that I rarely see when tutoring kids of the 21st century...

A mom who wants to get involved without being a total helicopter parent about it! :)

All joking aside, it is pretty refreshing, but I am stuck.  How can I get her involved with my tutee's math tutoring (2nd grader working on fractions right now)?

Thanks a lot!
Becca from FL

Answer: Hi, Becca, thanks for the chuckle!  It's great to hear that you have a tutee whose parent is enthusiastic, and wants to bet involved without helicopter parenting the lessons and tutoring. 

There are a definitely a few things that you can do to get Mom in on the math tutoring so that she can help your student throughout the week, between tutoring sessions.

1. Playtime
Have Mom play some fraction type games with her son.  I know, they sound boring, but trust me when I say that they can be made fun.  Paper crafted pizzas, cakes, and pies can easily be turned into a restaurant game - tons of fun!  Mom can order different combinations of foods, and have her son put the order together before delivering it to her.  She can even "tip" her waiter according to how correct her order was!

These paper fraction foods can also be used in a bakery or grocery store games, and Mom can place orders for various food combinations, just like with the restaurant game.  

2. Interim Tutoring
Have Mom supervise, and support, during her son's homework.  Something tells me this Mom already does this, but just in case she doesn't, get her involved.  Make sure she knows how important it is for her to check over her son's homework, and make sure that she feels comfortable stepping in as an interim tutor if he is having trouble with fractions between tutoring sessions. 

3. Question and Answer
Have Mom ask questions that get her son talking about his studies (in this instance, fractions).  Have you ever noticed that when you talk to someone else about concepts, they tend to stick in your brain?  By getting her son to talk about fractions, Mom will be able to help her son understand and verbalize his new subject matter.

4. Learning Everywhere
Make every day, and every event, a learning opportunity.  If the family heads out to a pizza parlor (yes, I love pizza!), Mom can have her son talk about the fractions involved for each whole pie.  If they go to a store, a baseball game, an arcade...wherever they go, have Mom keeping an eye out for fraction lessons that can be casually worked in to the event.

Good luck, and enjoy the great tutoring environment you have there.  Say thanks to his Mom for me, too - she sounds like a good parent!

*****
Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/ilco
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ilco

Field Notes: Helicopter Moms

Is it just me, or do there seem to be an overabundance of helicopter parents nowadays? 

I mean, parental involvement is great, without a doubt, but it has gotten ridiculous.  Back when I was a kid (I know, I know, battle cry of the older adults, but I swear I'm only in my mid-30s!), parents weren't afraid to let you try things for yourself.

Sometimes you tried and succeeded.  You felt great about what you accomplished, and it gave you the confidence to go out and tackle anything that you dreamed of doing.  It was a great feeling, and it went a long way in helping you become an independent, confident young adult.

Then there were the times that you tried and fell short of what you wanted to accomplish.  This was also good.  Failures, mistakes, or whatever else you want to call them help build character.  Smart people learn from these mistakes.  Failures develop strength and determination in a person, and there is a great feeling of accomplishment when a student can turn an "I can't" into a "I did it!"

By not letting their children try, helicopter parents are robbing their kids of these possibilities and experiences.  I doubt a child gets the same long-term sense of satisfaction from his mother doing his homework for him. 

You may think I'm kidding, but I'm not.  In the past few months, I have tutored 3 students (7th-9th grade) whose mothers have actually done the homework for them.  No, not helped - they actually did the homework for their children! 

It was in the mother's handwriting each and every time. I was appalled.  I mentioned something, politely of course, to the moms in question, and all gave me a variant of the same answer.

"That's my child, so I have a right to do his homework.  He was getting a B and we (we??) need an A."
Then they sat back as though nothing had happened.  As though what they just said made any sense at all to the development of their child academically or socially.

It honestly left me staring at them, slack-jawed, for a few minutes.  I kept waiting for the laugh, coupled with a "I'm kidding," but that never happened. 

At what point are you crossing the line from Helicopter mom to cheating facilitator?  I'd say completing sheets of homework for your child qualifies. 

Sorry to rant, but these helicopter parents can drive me crazy some days.  Has anyone else had problems with helicopter parents? Ever had a homework scenario like mine? What did you do?

Joana in CA

Ask Micki: Group Tutoring Motivation

Question: Hi, Micki. I need some help with my group tutoring sessions.

I tutor English, and one of my ESL tutoring sessions is in the form of group tutoring.  I tutor 3 ESL students at my college.

They are great students to tutor, really enthusiastic about learning, but I would like to find a way to make class a little more exciting.

I guess what I am looking for are some ways that I can increase motivation, and provide some fun, rather than just using the ESL textbook that they all use. 

Thanks!
Becca from NV

Answer: Hi, there, Becca, thanks for the question!

I think it is great that you are so involved in making sure your tutees not only learn the material, but also that they have a good time doing it.  I'm sure they're happy to have such a proactive, thoughtful tutor!

Here are a few ideas that work really well with ESL tutees, particularly in group tutoring settings.

1. Use realia. 
Realia can provide a breath of fresh air from the usual book based learning.  These tutoring props also help ESL students work with new vocabulary in a real-world setting.  Clocks, money, brochures, and grocery items are some good examples of items that can be used to illustrate and reinforce vocabulary and grammar.  For a really great example of realia in ESL tutoring, check out this blog posting from an ESL tutor. 

2. Get your group talking.  
Conversational skills are an important part of ESL learning.  During a conversation, both vocabulary and grammar are utilized, and ESL students can begin to get comfortable conversing with other speakers of English.  Take this into your group setting by asking and answering questions back and forth with your tutees.  Then, have them talk to one another about various things.  Each tutee can talk briefly about classes, the weather, their family, or what time of the day it is.  Anything to get your tutees talking with you, and with one another.

3. Stories as learning tools.  
Have each of your tutees, in turn, tell a brief story about something that has happened in his or her past.  This can be anything - a favorite trip, beloved pet, family memory, or anything else that your tutee wants to tell a story about during tutoring.  If you have students who are new to learning English, you will want to ask them to write out their short story ahead of time, so that they have something prepared before your next tutoring session (this way your tutee are not put on the spot with the exercise).

4. Show and tell.
Not just for kids, show and tell can be a powerful learning tool for ESL students of all ages.  Much like telling a story, having your tutees talk about favorite or cherished items will get them to open up and practice conversation skills.  Every ESL tutor I know loves the show and tell technique when working with their tutees.   

5. Play a game.
Games are great motivators when it comes to learning.  There's nothing quite like learning while having fun - it hardly seems like work at all!  Try to find a couple of tried and true games that will help your tutees learn English.  Or, if you are feeling creative, come up with some games of your own.  Try a version of Hangman, or hand out simple crossword puzzles.  Anything to make learning English a little more fun.

Implementing a couple of these techniques will make your ESL group tutoring a little more fun, and will keep your tutees motivated both during and after the session!

Ask Micki: Pay increase etiquette

© penywise

Question: Hello, Micki. I am struggling with an etiquette scenario, and was hoping you might have some advice for me.

Simply put, I need to increase my tutoring rates.  When I started out about 10 years ago, I was charging a really low rate.  I hadn't done much research and just sort of picked a random number.  It was lower than what other tutors were charging and, looking back, this was both good and bad.  I had a lot of business, sure, but I wasn't making nearly as much as I should have been. 

Fast forward to 2011, I am definitely not making as much as I could be now.  I'm making about half, sometimes less, of what other tutors make per session.  Also, the fact that the cost of living has increased over the past decade doesn't help my financial situation much.

So I looked over my expenses, researched rates for other chemistry tutors, and know exactly what price range I want to charge.

The problem is, I've never asked for a raise of any kind before.  How do I increase my tutoring rates without coming across as greedy?  I really like my clients, and don't want to offend anyone.

Thanks in advance,
Mike from VT


Answer: Hi Mike, thanks for your question!  Tutor pricing can be a very tricky thing, especially when you are first starting out like you were 10 years ago.

Charge too much, and you risk not getting any tutoring business.  Charge too little, and you wind up cheating yourself. 

The good news is that it sounds like you have gotten things pretty much figured out regarding your new price point.  You have found your ideal rates, and can be confident knowing that you are charging your tutees for quality tutoring.

Ready for more good news?  Believe it or not, increasing your rates is easier than you might think.  It can be as simple as printing out a quick paper letting your tutoring clients know:

a) How much? What your new rates will be.

b) Why? Let your tutees know why you are increasing your tutoring rates.  Giving clients a quick explanation for the new rates will help humanize the increase, and will help clients better understand why you are charging what you are charging.  Keep the tone upbeat, straightforward, and to the point.  Chances are, they will appreciate your reasons (increased expenses, cost of living, etc.), and they will definitely appreciate your honesty about the increase.

c) "What's in it for me?" Include any discounts that you want to offer clients (if applicable).  This can be done in two ways.  The first is a bulk rate discount that offers lower rates if your client agrees to a set number of hours.  So, if you both sign a contract that guarantees you, say, 35 hours of tutoring, you can offer a lower rate based on that contract.  The second approach to offering a discount is to individualize the discount for each client.  If you have been tutoring a client for 9 years, for example, you may want to give them a better discount than you would a client you have only had for a few years.  It's a loyalty discount.

d) Show gratitude! Thank your client for all of the business that he or she has given you, and assure your tutee that the quality of the tutoring will be just as good as ever.  Showing gratitude can go a long way.  By thanking your tutee for their business, you are making the transition to higher tutoring rates much easier for them to accept. 

When you hand over the new rate sheet to clients, have a quick talk with them about the increase.  Go over what is on the sheet you typed up for them to read.  Let your clients know that the increase will also help fund learning materials, printing costs, etc.  Be upbeat, straightforward, and friendly.

You may be a little nervous, but trust me when I say it will all work out fine.  I have found it necessary to increase my rates every few years, and it has always worked out well.  In fact, I can honestly say that in all of my years as a tutor, I have only lost 3 tutees after raising my rates.  Everyone else stuck with me.

Good luck, and let us know how everything works out for you!

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Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/penywise
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/penywise

Ask Micki: Ideas for rewards?

© D. Sharon Pruitt

Question: Hi. I was wondering if you have any ideas for rewards? I'd like to give some incentives to my young students, and I would also like to give some kind of rewards to their parents.

My students are mostly between about 6-9 years old.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Micki,
Helen

Answer: Hi, there, Helen.  How great that you want to provide rewards and incentives to your tutees and the parents - very nice!

Tutee rewards can provide a great incentive for young tutees to keep up with their work and pay attention during sessions.  They get excited about earning rewards, and it can give your tutees an exciting goal to strive for through the week or month.  

On a business level, rewards for parents are also a good idea.  By providing incentives for parents, you will likely be ensuring that you have happy, repeat customers who are willing to recommend you to friends and family. 

That said, there will definitely be a pretty big difference in the types of incentives you provide.  Here are a few ideas:

Kids

1. Pencils, pens, and erasers are always a hit with kids.  Always.  Just make sure they are fun.  No one wants a plain ole' boring #2 yellow pencil.  Pick up some scented erasers, colorful pencils, or crazy pens to give to your tutees.  The more fun they are the better!

2. Stickers - Most kids cannot have enough of them! (Check out my blog posting all about these popular little rewards)  Crazy shapes, scented, sparkly - pretty much any kind of stickers will be a hit!

3. Games and books are also a good choice for rewards.  Now, obviously, since these rewards will be a bit more expensive, they will be higher level rewards.  However, if your students are willing to "save up points" or wait a little longer for a reward, games and books can be great incentives. 

Parents/Guardians

1. Offer a free session for a certain number of paid sessions.  You have probably seen those reward cards at coffee houses and other retail establishments.  Why not take the idea into the realm of tutoring?  For example, you can print out a punch card that reads, "For every 11 paid tutoring sessions, the 12th tutoring session is free!"

2. Discounts for time packages are always a hit with parents and guardians.  Instead of charging, for example, $45/hour, offer parents/guardians a $35/hour rate if they agree to have you tutor for at least 30 hours.  They will be happy at the $300 savings, and you will be happy with the repeat business!  Just make sure to get something in writing so that you can all keep track of the hours tutored, and so that you all have a copy of the agreement. 

3. Offer discounts for referrals.  If, for example, your tutee's parent refers a friend to your tutoring service, give your tutee's parent 20% off of future tutoring sessions.  Something like that is always appreciated. 

Stick with these basic ideas, or build off of them and come up with some customized ideas of your own.  I guarantee your tutees and their parents/guardians will be thrilled!

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Photo Credit: © D. Sharon Pruitt
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/dspruitt

Field Notes: ESL Technique, Realia

I was reading the blog the other day, and noticed someone asking about ESL terminology.  Well, that got me to thinking about my own ESL tutoring, and I wanted to share a great technique that always works well for me and my students.

It's "Realia."  In other words, it is "stuff" that I bring to my ESL tutoring session.  Kind of like tutoring props. 

By using real objects during my ESL tutoring, I can help my tutee increase his or her vocabulary, act out English speaking scenarios, and improve his or her conversational skills.  Plus, it gives my students real, actual, tangible things to use when working through sentences and grammar.

A great example of realia I use all the time: travel brochures and play money.  My student and I go through the travel brochures together, and then my tutee chooses where he or she would like to go on vacation.

Then, my tutee tells me how they want to travel (train, ship, airplane, car, etc.), where they want to stay (good for learning basic travel/hotel vocabulary), what time and date they would like to leave and return (great for learning numbers, time, and calender dates), and how they want to pay for the vacation.  If my tutee wants to pay with cash, it gives my tutee a chance to practice counting money in English. All while looking at some great pictures of travel destinations!

Also good is the fact that this kind of realia is easy to travel with, because it folds flat, and is lightweight.  A definite must if, like me, you ride a bike to your tutoring appointments.

So far, I have had a lot of success with this technique, and my students really seem to love it!
Tammy from Eau Claire, WI

Ask Micki: Math tutee in over his head.

© lusi

Question: Hello, Micki. I need help in a big way.  I just started tutoring a guy in mathematics, he's taking Calculus I. 

He's friendly, pays attention while we're tutoring, and is always on time for sessions.

In other words, he is a great tutee.  Except that he is having a lot of trouble with the math.  I mean a lot of trouble, as in he cannot do it.  On his first test he received a 35%, and the homework hasn't been going as well as we'd both like either.  I think, honestly, he's just in over his head.

He also told me that his parents used to pay a tutor to do his math homework for him while he was in high school. 

Obviously, this got him decent (unearned) grades in high school math, but has done him no favors now that he is in college. 

He is really trying to put in the effort, and get past this learning block, but it just isn't happening, even after a month of tutoring (3 days a week).  Should I tell him to drop the class?

Thanks,
MathDude01

Answer: Hey, there, MathDude01. 
Great name, by the way - no question in my mind about what you tutor :o)

Sounds like a tough situation. On one hand, you want to be encouraging, and help your tutee achieve all of the success that he strives for during his academic career.  On the other hand, you want to keep him grounded in reality, too, so that he doesn't fail the course for the sake of "hanging in there."

If it has been a month, and you're seeing no improvement at all (consistently low test scores, inability to work problems even after you two have gone over them several times, having a hard time grasping the concepts, etc.) then, yes, I would advise him to drop this math class, and opt for a lower level math course.

If he can get into a lower level math course, that will give him the opportunity to brush up on his math, get familiar with the material, and undo some of the intellectual damage that his parents did by paying for his high school grades.  

A lower level math course will also help him bolster his confidence in math, and give him the opportunity to practice his skills before moving on to Calculus I.

It's also important to keep in mind that only he can make the final decision. 

You're helping to guide him towards a class that would work out best for him, but he needs to make the final call. 

That said, approach the situation in a friendly, upbeat manner.  Chances are, he'll appreciate the advice, and will be much happier with the grades he'll be earning in his new (lower level) math class!

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Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/lusi
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/lusi

Ask Micki New to ESL and confused!

© lusi

 Question: Hi Micki, I’m hoping to be an ESL tutor, and I need some guidance.  

I got the idea to be an ESL tutor recently, and am really excited about it!  I’m just starting out, trying to get all of the information I can, but I have to admit that I am kind of puzzled.  It seems like there are A LOT of different terms out there when it comes to ESL related subjects, and I am completely confused by them.

TESL, TEFL, TESOL, ESP, ELT - help!

What do they mean, what do they do, and are there any that I need to be less worried about than others?  

I want to tutor ESL, but I also want to know everything I can about the terminology so that my students can feel confident that I know what I am talking about when I meet with them.

Thanks for your help!

Confused Katie in RI

Answer: Hi there, Katie!  Great question - you hit on an important aspect of the tutoring profession.  

Pretty much any profession under the sun with have its own lingo.  A lot of it is terminology and jargon that you will pick up as you move forward in your profession - in this case ESL tutoring - however, it is a great idea to have a foundation of knowledge to use when you are getting getting started in your new career.

In other words - way to think ahead! It will save you time and trouble later.  With that said, let’s get into Micki’s quick guide to ESL acronyms - you may want to grab some coffee or tea, this is going to be a long post!

ESL - English as a Second Language

This is the term you will likely encounter most often.  It refers to a person whose mother tongue is a language other than English, who is learning English in a foreign country.  An example of an ESL student might be a Russian man learning English in the US or Canada.  

EFL - English as a Foreign Language

This term is similar to ESL in that it refers to a student who is learning English, whose mother tongue is a language other than English.  The difference is, while ESL students learn English in an English speaking country (UK, US, Canada, etc.), EFL students learn English in a non-English speaking country.  For example, a Japanese woman learning English in Japan.  

TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language

TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language

TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

              (or Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

All of the above terms and acronyms refer to the practice of teaching English to non-English speakers.  TESOL refers to both a professional association in the US, and the field of ESL teaching and tutoring. Usually, you will see TESOL used more often in the US, while Canada typically uses TESL.  For the most part, the terms are used pretty interchangeably.

You will likely be seeing the above terms and acronyms most often as you begin your ESL tutoring career.  However, here are some other terms used in the ESL profession.  

ESP - English for Specific or Special Purposes

ESP puts into practice exactly what we were talking about - specialized lingo and terminology for specific professions.  The main focus of ESP is on teaching specialized terminology that is most often used in very specific fields.  An example would be a professional in medicine or technology who needs to learn specialized English terminology (vocabulary and context) within his or her field.  

EAP - English for Academic Purposes

EAP refers to preparing students to speak English in an academic setting within an English speaking country. A high school student in India, for example, who wants to study at a university in Canada.  Typically, EAP utilizes a more formal approach with a lot of focus on reading, writing and presenting.

ELT - English Language Training

ELT is training relating to the teaching or tutoring of English as a second or foreign language.  It is a term widely used in the UK.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

This is the test that measures a non-English speaker’s ability to understand English.  Typically, foreign, non-native speakers of English take the TOEFL as part of the application process to colleges and universities in Canada and the US.  A student from Malawi who wants to prove her English language abilities, for example, would take the TOEFL test for admission to college or university.  

TOEIC - Test of English for International Communication

The TOEIC, much like the TOEFL, is a test used to determine a non-native speaker’s English communication abilities.  The TOEIC is more recognized in Europe and Asia, whereas the TOEFL is more widely recognized in Canada and the US.

Phew - Thanks for sticking with me through all those acronyms!  And good luck on your journey towards becoming an ESL tutor - with your enthusiasm (and quest for knowledge), I have a feeling you will be really successful! 

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Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/lusi

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/lusi

Ask Micki: Younger sibling blues.

© theswedish

Question: Hi, Micki, I was hoping to get some help with a kind of delicate situation.  It's a little awkward, so I'll be keeping everyone's names (including mine) anonymous. 

See, I've been tutoring a student in 9th grade math for the past few months.  We meet once every week for an hour.  She's smart, pays attention, gets involved during the tutoring session, and is a pretty cool kid to tutor.

The problem is her younger brother.  I'll call him Mike (not his real name).  He's in the 7th grade, and is one of the most ill-behaved, annoying kids I have ever met.  He will walk by the table, knocking the books off of it on his way past us.  He'll throw pencils, erasers, and other things at us during tutoring.

Recently he's started throwing this little bouncy ball against the wall really hard, watching it bounce wildly around us while we try to work.

So far, I've tried ignoring it, but it didn't work, unfortunately. 

I also tried talking to his parents, but they just laughed, and said "Well, boys will be boys!"  Ugh. Annoying, and way less than helpful.

As you can tell, I'm getting frustrated, and am not sure what to do next.
Help!
Feelin' frazzled in FL


Answer:  Hi, there, Feelin' Frazzled, sorry to hear about your annoying situation.  You have my sympathy - that sounds really frustrating to deal with on a weekly basis!

The great news is, I am sure I can help find a way for you to keep tutoring your tutee with a lot less interference from her younger brother. 

First of all, I commend you for talking to his parents.  You did the right thing, and (in my humble opinion) they were not helpful to you, or to their daughter who is trying to be a good student in the midst of chaos.  By ignoring her needs and favoring the boy's bad behavior, they are doing everyone involved a disservice. 

That said, here are some options for you:

1. Talk to "Mike."
Let him know that it is really important that you and your tutee get some time to work together on her math.  Honestly, he seems like a disrespectful kid, though, so this may not work quite as well as I would hope.  That said, give it a try!  You never know.  He may just be desperate for attention, and you talking to him one-to-one may just be the attention he needs to snap him out of his annoying behavior.  Just remember to keep the conversation upbeat and positive. 

2. Move locations.
Since Mike is allowed by his parents to rule the home, you might try moving locations to a place where Mike isn't.  Try heading to the library, or another quiet area where you two can work.  If Mike is not there, then you two can focus more on getting the work done, and less about being harassed. 

3. Try ignoring him a little while longer.  Okay, obviously there is a shelf life for this idea - if it has been many months of no change, then ignoring him probably won't be effective.  However, if this is a fairly new behavior, ignoring him a little while longer may work wonders.  He may finally get bored and simply give up.

4. Try talking to the parents again.  Now, I know what you're thinking - it didn't work the first time, why do it again?  If you can sit down with them and impress upon them just how negatively the interruptions are affecting the tutoring sessions, they may be more inclined to start acting like parents and make some changes.  It is definitely worth a try.

Good luck, and please stop back by, and let us know what happened!

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Ask Micki: Flyers? Good idea or not?

© irum

Question: Hi, Micki. My friend and I were just talking about how to get the word out about our services (we're both tutors. She tutors science, I tutor math), and we have a friendly debate going.

I swear by flyers. I put them up at the local schools, libraries, and anywhere else I think students might be frequenting.  One of my best "hot spots" is the coffee house that's about a block away from the college.  I've gotten a ton of business from that spot!

My friend, on the other hand, thinks that flyers are outdated in the modern world, and that I'd be better off going high tech, posting my tutoring services on websites. 

What do you think?
Can you help us settle our friendly debate?

Thanks!
Jasmine, NM

Answer: Hey, Jasmine, thanks for the question. 

Well, you and your friend will be happy to know...drum roll, please...
You're actually both right!

No, that's not my inner diplomat talking!  There are a lot of benefits to both techniques, and combining them can make you a tutoring powerhouse when it comes to finding new clients. 

I post quite a few flyers myself, and I always make sure to ask my tutees which flyers they used to contact me.  Based on their responses, I've been able to pretty well home in on which areas work well for my flyers, and which ones don't.  

I would guess that probably about half of my business comes from good, old fashioned paper flyers stuck up on bulletin boards. 

The other half of my business comes from online advertising.  Bulletin boards, forums, blogs, social media, tutor-tutee matching services, etc. can all be great resources when it comes to finding new clients. 

Maybe both of you could try combining techniques - merge the low tech and the high tech.   Help each other learn what techniques work best. 

Trust me, you two will both be happy with the results! 
Good luck finding those tutoring clients!

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Photo Credit: © sxc.hu/irum
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