Why Should I Become a Tutor?

If you find yourself asking: why do I want to become a tutor, here could be why.

Not only does becoming a tutor open new doors for opportunities, but it also offers a range of benefits to help you expand your professional network too.

Private tuition will help you to learn through teaching, and also quickly help you to expand your network by introducing you to new people. As a mentor, you gain valuable skills that will serve you in every area of life, well into the future.

When asking yourself why do I want to become a tutor, remember that employers seek candidates who possess traits such as authenticity, flexibility, good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and open-mindedness. These qualities are all part of the experience you will gain as a private tutor.

As you assess the strengths and weaknesses of your students, you will learn how to create tailored tutoring programmes that lead them to academic success.

In a nutshell, through your interactions with your students, you become the learner in a partnership known as 'reverse mentoring' and this in itself is a good enough answer to the question: why would you like to become a tutor?

So, Why Would You Like to Become a Tutor?

Have you found yourself asking yourself any of the following questions?

• Do I need experience to become a tutor?
• Why do I want to become a tutor?
• Why should I become a tutor?

Then keep reading to find out how to become a tutor in South Africa.

It's important to ask yourself if using your skills to encourage others will be beneficial for your future. The good news is that there are plenty of advantages to teaching privately.

Tutoring allows you to increase your income while working from home, making it ideal if you are still in school, at university, or job hunting. Beyond the financial benefits, private tuition is also valuable on a personal and professional level, making it a great addition to your CV.

As a tutor, you can teach any subject you are passionate about. Whether you're helping students tackle algebra and calculus, improving their reading and writing skills, teaching languages, history, geography, or even piano, there are endless possibilities.

You can choose to teach one-on-one or small groups for peer tutoring. Additionally, one-on-one tutoring can be particularly useful for children with specific learning difficulties or disabilities such as dyslexia, as they may require personalised supervision and extra encouragement to feel confident in school.

Sharing your knowledge as a tutor also allows you to exhibit skills that employers love, such as communication, patience, and adaptability. Overall, tutoring is an excellent way to use your skills to make a positive impact on others while also enhancing your own personal and professional growth.

Why do I want to become a tutor? It’s a good question!

The Booming Business of Private Tuition

Teaching should stem from a love of the profession and a desire to contribute to a greater cause. As the demand for personalised tuition increases, many companies have capitalised on this trend and formalised the process that used to be delivered only by formal teachers. Today, there is an abundance of organisations that specialise in home tutoring, such as Kumon and Superprof.

According to The Guardian, the proportion of schoolchildren receiving additional tuition has risen from 18% to 25% in the past decade. Reasons for resorting to after-school tuition range from keeping up with schoolwork to passing grammar school entrance exams.

As you can see this alone is a good enough reason to ask yourself why you should become a tutor!

The rise in demand for hourly private lessons means that individuals can earn extra cash through tutoring. In Singapore, Anthony Fok became the first millionaire tutor, and many others have since made their fortunes in the same way. However, it's important to remember that teaching should always be motivated by a love of the profession and a desire to contribute to a greater cause.

Next, you may be wondering, do I need experience to become a tutor?

Tutor While You Study

If you're convinced that private tuition is a growing industry, but worried that being at university might hinder your chances of becoming a tutor, fear not - being a student can actually work to your advantage. In fact, an increasing number of undergraduates are choosing to provide educational support to those in need.

So, actually, you are an ideal candidate to become a tutor, as you have valuable knowledge of how institutional systems work in terms of learning and revision. Also, your flexible university lifestyle will allow you to work around busy schedules making you a convenient option for families.

In terms of the benefits, tutoring can provide a financial boost to students struggling to make ends meet, and is often more interesting and rewarding than traditional student jobs. Additionally, tutoring can help you impove your own subject knowledge and exam skills, which is valuable for your own academic success.

For instance, if you studied matric sciences and are now pursuing a BSc in Applied Mathematics, your expertise can be invaluable to matrics who are nearing the end of their school career. The same goes for students of humanities, who can provide lessons in English writing skills or reading comprehension.

Online tutoring is another option that allows you to help others while staying on top of your own studies. With tutoring, you can create your own schedule that fits around your classes and other commitments, making it a great choice for students seeking flexibility.

In summary, tutoring can be a perfect way for you to earn some income and gain valuable experience in your chosen area of study.

So, why would you like to become a tutor?

How Tutoring Can Make You Valuable to an Employer

Looking for more reasons to consider tutoring?

We've got you covered!

Private tuition can boost your CV and provide valuable talking points for future interviews, as it equips you with a range of skills that employers value.

Here are some of the qualities that top the list:

• Optimism: As a tutor, you'll need to instil confidence in your pupils and help them overcome challenges.
• Adaptability: You'll work with a variety of students, each with unique needs and learning styles. Flexibility is key!
• Curiosity: A love of learning is essential for any good tutor, as is a genuine interest in your pupils' progress.
• Interpersonal skills: Effective communication and the ability to connect with others are vital to success in teaching.
• Conviction: You'll need to believe in yourself and your abilities in order to inspire confidence in your students. Remember, being a tutor also means being a project manager. You'll need to assess your student's needs, set achievable goals, and work towards measurable results. These are all valuable skills that can make you a highly desirable candidate in any field.

How Tutoring Helps Your Career

By now, you have probably realised that there are numerous compelling reasons to pursue tutoring. Whether you're a university student, a working professional, or someone retraining for a new career, the advantages of tutoring are too good to ignore. You can offer homework assistance to school-aged students, prepare them for important exams such as the National Senior Certificate, or even teach a musical instrument that combines your passion with your job. However, passion alone is not enough to guarantee high-quality teaching.

Becoming a private tutor is an excellent way to acquire relevant experience and training to become a certified teacher. No matter what subject you choose to teach, tutoring will enhance your professional knowledge and skills. For instance, if you aspire to be a team leader, you'll have the opportunity to develop organisational and managerial skills. If you intend to start a business, you'll learn to market your services at a reasonable price. If you aim to be an engineer, you'll understand the importance of popularising abstract concepts. In short, tutoring equips you with the ability to interact with clients confidently and efficiently.

More than just a simple way to earn money, tutoring and educational support are in high demand.

By assisting young primary school students in keeping up with their peers, providing revision courses to secondary school pupils, or helping students prepare for exams, you can make a significant difference in their academic progress and contribute to their successful educational careers.

Tutoring provides numerous benefits such as boosting self-confidence, proving competence, and providing a strong foundation for your professional career. It's an exciting and rewarding way to build your skills, help others, and make a difference. With so many great reasons to become a tutor, what are you waiting for? If you want to know how to become a tutor in South Africa, you have come to the right place.