Choosing a tutor: 8 things to consider
A good match matters more than a long CV. Eight things to weigh up when you compare tutors, and what to watch for in the trial lesson.
Most families choose a tutor from a name, a rate and a recommendation. Those matter, but the things that decide whether lessons work are usually already in front of you, in the tutor's profile and quote, and in the first lesson. Here are eight things worth weighing up.
When you compare tutors
- The levels they teach most. A tutor who teaches P6 Mathematics every week knows the PSLE paper well; one who mostly teaches JC may not. Look at the subjects and levels on the profile, and at their years of experience.
- How they teach. The profile shows each tutor's teaching style in their own words, and many have a short introduction video. A patient, step-by-step tutor suits a different child from a brisk, exam-drill one. Think about which your child needs.
- What other families say. Reviews on Learn Now come only from completed lessons. A ✓ Verified badge means we have checked the tutor's qualification documents. A new tutor with no reviews yet can still be a great fit; the trial lesson is there for exactly that.
- Whether the times really fit. Each quote comes with the times the tutor can do. A great tutor who can only make it every other week is not a weekly tutor, so check the times against your week before you choose.
- The rate, in context. Compare the quote with the usual rate for the level (see what tuition costs in Singapore) and with the note the tutor wrote in their quote. A higher rate is not always a better tutor, and the cheapest is not always the best value.
In the trial lesson
Messaging with the tutor opens once the trial is paid. The trial is where you see the things a profile cannot show.
- Your child's response. By the end of the first hour, your child should be answering, asking and making mistakes out loud. Long silences are worth noticing.
- Something specific. A good first lesson ends with a short, concrete picture of where your child stands: "Fractions are fine; the problem is long word problems." That tells you the tutor was paying attention.
- A plan and a way to follow it. You should come away knowing roughly what the next few lessons will cover. On Learn Now tutors can leave a note for the family after each lesson, and every lesson has a record you can both see.
After the trial
Ask your child one thing: would you like to go back? If the answer is a clear yes and the tutor did well on the points above, you are probably in good hands. If not, there is no package to cancel: you simply don't continue, and you can trial another tutor.
How Learn Now helps
You post what you need and compare quotes from tutors who teach it, each with their rate, times and profile. You book one trial lesson first and only continue if it suits you. Every tutor confirms a declaration before quoting, and each lesson's payment is held until it has happened.
Post what you need. It is free.