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

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

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!

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© sxc.hu/datarec

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!

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

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

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

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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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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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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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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Ask Micki: Shy guy who wants to be a good tutor

© sxc.hu/nazreth

Question: Hi, Micki. I need some help getting started with my new tutoring career.  The thing is, I am a little bit shy.

Don't get me wrong, I'll go out with friends, and don't get really nervous being out in public or anything.  In fact, if I told my friends that I was shy, they'd never believe me. 

It's just that I have some trouble meeting new people, and I'm afraid that it will negatively affect my chances of being a good tutor.

Any advice for an enthusiastic person who wants to tutor, but isn't outgoing?

Thanks,
ShyGuy in CA

Answer: Hi, ShyGuy, thanks for your question! 

Here's the deal, and I say this to every newly budding tutor who is worried that he or she is too shy for this business - not being outgoing is okay!  In fact, it is great - I am fairly shy myself, and it has never held me back at all.  I have also had some great tutors who were pretty shy, and they were some of the best tutors I ever had.

Also, because I was a pretty shy student, having a shy tutor actually put me at ease!

Imagine a world where everyone was the exact same -outgoing- it would get exhausting and boring!  If being a bit shy is part of your personality, embrace it, and learn to work with it.  It doesn't sound like it is debilitating shyness, so it is, without a doubt, possible for you to get out there and tutor successfully.

That said, if you are feeling uncomfortable contacting and meeting tutees and clients for the first time, there are several things you can do to help yourself and your tutoring career. 

First of all, realize that you are not alone.  A lot of people can get a little nervous before meeting new people.  It's completely normal.  Remember that the friends you hang out with now were once strangers.  Imagine if you had never taken that chance to meet those new people, you wouldn't have the friends you do now!  Be bold.  Gear yourself up to take a chance.  Get excited about meeting someone new.

I can almost guarantee that once you meet your tutee for the first time, any nervousness you had about meeting will quickly disappear, and you will feel comfortable tutoring.  Trust me, I was the same way. 

Second, be prepared when meeting your tutee.  My most successful tutoring sessions, and the ones in which I feel the most comfortable, are the ones that I have prepared well for in advance.  When I go into a session with worksheets, ideas, plans, and knowledge of the subject, I feel confident, and my shyness takes a backseat to my enthusiasm. 

Third, try some stress reduction before you meet your tutee.  Do some deep breathing, strike a yoga pose or two, sketch, take a short stroll...whatever it is you need to do to de-stress, do it, and notice how much less nervous you are about your tutoring meeting.

Fourth, and most importantly, be yourself.  Just in case you missed that, I'll say it again louder :-)  

Be Yourself

It may sound corny, but it is true.  If you are being yourself, you will feel more at ease, you won't come across as fake, you won't be stressed out trying to keep up an impressive appearance, and you will make your tutee more comfortable.  Plus, by being yourself you have the opportunity to connect with your tutee over similar backgrounds, shared hobbies, or similar interests. 

Good luck, ShyGuy!

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Photo credit: © sxc.hu/nazreth

Ask Micki: My tutor is moving!

© lusi

Question: Hi, Micki. This question is a little bit different than your usual tutor question.  You see, I'm not a tutor, I'm a tutee, and I have a problem. 

I started tutoring with my current tutor when I was in the 6th grade.  She tutored me in junior high level math back then, and continues to tutor me in math now that I'm a Freshman in college.  Needless to say, she and I have become pretty good friends, and (besides learning a lot about math) we have a lot of fun together during tutoring sessions.

Well, I just found out that she has been offered a job on the East Coast (I live in OR), and will be moving at the end of next month. 

Help! I don't know what to do about this. She has been my only tutor for 8 years, and besides feeling like I'm losing a good friend, I'll be losing a great tutor.  Are there any options for how we could work together long distance? She said that she'll still be tutoring once she moves, and that she's open to the idea of long distance tutoring, but has no idea how to do it.

Thanks for your help!
Janie, a tutee from OR

Answer: Hey, Janie!  Sorry to hear about the impending move, but it is great that you and your tutor have such a great working relationship! Once you have a rapport with a tutor it is definitely something to keep going, and it sounds like you are both enthusiastic about the idea of long distance tutoring.

You know, back when I started tutoring, I would have said "no way."  Long distance tutoring, back in the olden days, was just not very possible, particularly with a visually learned subject like math.

Nowadays, though, long distance tutoring isn't just a possibility, it is a reality for a ton of tutors and tutees around the globe.  Tutees are getting tutoring from countries halfway around the world, so cross-country tutoring is definitely something that you two can do. 

Plus, you'll be in good company as you join the thousands of happy tutors and tutees who long distance tutor.  Long distance tutoring is typically loved by people who do it, partly because of the convenience and flexibility in schedule coordination, partly because of the convenience in tutoring location. 

So how do you two work together and have effective tutoring sessions while living at opposite ends of the country?

The key, as with in-person tutoring, is good communication.  It sounds like you two already have that mastered, so I'll move on to the technological aspects.

I have worked with tutees all around the world, and it has usually gone very well.  I tend to use video chat fairly frequently, partly because I can read the body language of my tutee, I can show my tutee concepts visually, and I can have my tutee show me the work that he or she has done so far. 

So far, video chat is my favorite method for long distance tutoring.  I also appreciate the fact that there is little to no specialized equipment for either of us to purchase, making it more affordable for my tutee and/or my tutee's family.  Most of my tutees have built in cameras on their computers, or have bought a small external camera for a few dollars at a local electronics store. 

For things like essays, or other written assignments, I will have my tutee email me the work a day or two in advance so that I can review it before our tutoring session.  This also works well when I need to send my tutee a document or assignment to review before our tutoring session.

I am also fond of using online document sharing sites so that my tutee and I can share work back and forth. 

How about the rest of you readers? Any long distance or online tutors out there who have tips or techniques to share?

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Photo Credit:
© sxc.hu/lusi
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Ask Micki: How to handle problem billing

© Rob Owen-Wahl

Question: Hiya, Micki, I was hoping that you could help me with a problem I've been having on the billing end of things.  

Here's some background: I've been tutoring for about 5 years now, and have been loving every minute of it.  The problem is, when I got started, I took on a few unpaid tutoring jobs to get my feet wet, and gain some experience.

I talked things over with the 3 families, and we all agreed that I would provide 6 months of free tutoring.  No problem, I was happy to do it, excited about gaining the experience, and glad that I could help out some friends.

I think you see where this is going.  Now it is years later, and while 2 of the families began paying me for tutoring (and have kept me on as their tutor), the other family is still not paying me a cent.

At first I thought maybe they forgot about the agreement, so I brought it up, and they just kind of laughed it off, and moved on to scheduling our next appointment.  I brought up the topic a dozen more times since then, and they completely ignore the conversation every single time.

I love helping out friends, but I can't help but feel that I am being taken advantage of by tutoring every week, free of charge.  Also, it's not like they aren't able to afford tutoring.  I know this because they pay for 2 different sports tutors every week.

Is there a nice way to approach this subject without damaging a friendship or making things awkward? 

Thanks, Micki!
Ali, CA

Answer: Hey, Ali.  First of all, I'm happy to hear that after half a decade of tutoring, you still love the work - that's great!

Second of all, and please take no offense at this - you are definitely being taken advantage of right now, and real friends don't take advantage of one another.  It is definitely time to sit down and have a talk with the parents about billing, etc.

The most important thing for keeping the mood pleasant, and keeping the awkwardness out of the room is to remain friendly and upbeat as you talk with them.

I know you may understandably be a bit frustrated, but try not to get defensive or angry - talk to them with a smile on your face, and present the whole situation as nicely as you can.

Let them know that as much as you love helping them out, and as much as you enjoy the work, you have expenses/bills, and paid work is important for keeping up with those expenses/bills.

Also, you may want to mention that, as your tutoring appointments increased, you don't have quite as much free time in your day, so every tutoring appointment really needs to count financially so that you can continue to make ends meet.

Let them know up front that it is nothing personal, and that you truly enjoy working with them, it's just that you need to be able to make a living with your tutoring.  

If they are reluctant, and you really enjoy working with the family, perhaps you could offer them a deal on your tutoring services.  Offer a package deal of a set number of sessions for a set dollar amount, or offer to give them a discount on tutoring.

Whatever you decide, please stop back by and let us know how things went!

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Ask Micki: Irritated with my new tutee

© catalin82

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question, and I'm hoping you can help me.  First, a little background on me and my tutee.

I am a math and science tutor, and work mostly with high school and college students.  One of my current clients is a college freshman, and I am tutoring him in beginning chemistry.  We just started working together, once a week, about a month ago, but I can already tell that this is going to be a looooooonnng semester with him.

The problem is my tutee is really irritating. He takes personal phone calls from his buddies during tutoring, turns on loud music (complete with "pencil drumming"  the table) during our sessions, and never seems to be paying attention to the material.

Last week it was so bad that we barely covered any material at all.  Between him calling his girlfriend, making plans for Friday night with his friends, and changing the music every five minutes, we got nothing done. 

It's really starting to get to me, so any help would make me a happy guy. Thanks!

J.A., an irritated tutor in San Francisco

Answer: Hey, there, J.A..  You're right - that is annoying!  Sorry to hear about your difficult tutoring sessions - this tutee doesn't sound like too much fun to work with on a weekly basis.

Crazy as it may sound, your tutee may not even know that he's being annoying.  The next time you two meet, try sitting down and having a quick talk with him about the expectations for your tutoring sessions.  Lay out the ground rules, using an upbeat, friendly tone.

Let your tutee know that by focusing all of his attention on the tutoring session (instead of phone calls, music, etc.), he will be getting the most tutoring for his money.  Also let him know that you want to help him do his best in his chemistry class, and the most effective way to do this is to make sure that you are both putting in 100% effort during tutoring.

Also, take a few seconds to get his input on how he thinks the tutoring is going.  Learn a little about him and his tutoring expectations.

Set goals together so that you both have something to look forward to during tutoring.  Give your tutee something to shoot for - a good grade on his next exam, memorizing a particular segment of the periodic table, learning a new chemistry concept, getting a good grade on his homework assignment, etc. 

I believe that by talking to your tutee, the problem will practically fix itself.  That said, if you find that this tutee continues to disrespect your time, and isn't contributing to the tutoring sessions, it may be necessary to drop him as a tutee.  

However, like I said, I am confident that a quick conversation will straighten everything out in no time!
Good luck, and happy tutoring!

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