Tutors on Call

Is it Time for a Tutor?

2010-08-10T01:11:00.000-07:00

You are sitting at the pool with your children, thinking about what a relaxing summer you’ve had and how you all needed a break from school. Suddenly you panic. School is less than a month away - are your children ready? Have they been reading enough this summer? Have they written anything besides grammatically incorrect emails? Did they forget their math? Should you hire a tutor for a jump start? Should you wait and see how the year goes?

A tutoring company, like many businesses, is cyclical, with the majority of students needing support during the school year. Some people are proactive and begin in August to be prepared for new academic subjects in September. Some start in October, as soon as they see a potential problem. As I write this article in June, a few people are calling us in a state of panic for one or two instant tutoring sessions to prepare for a final. (This is not ideal).

Not surprisingly, there usually aren’t instant fixes. Learning is a process, and for learning to be successful, there needs to be communication and equilibrium between the student’s state of mind, the teachers, parents, and tutors. Everyone needs to work together to achieve a common goal. For the best results, allow at least a few months of tutoring at least once a week.

I will break tutoring into three areas:

1) Academic coaching - overall organization, study skills, and homework
2) Subject tutoring
3) Test preparation

Here is how each can be helpful to your child:

Academic Coaching: This is especially helpful for ADHD children or those with learning differences or organizational challenges. However, any child can benefit from using a coach. Coaching works best when you start at the beginning of the school year to organize notebooks and become familiar with the curriculum and teachers’ expectations. A tutor can help the student gain a perspective of what the year will entail and help keep up with expectations every step of the way. A tutor can also help keep up with daily and long term assignments. Some students have coaches for years at a time. Others can learn and incorporate study strategies that they can later apply themselves. Organization and study skills are best taught in conjunction with schoolwork and homework rather than in the summer.

Subject Tutoring: This can start at any time of the year as needed, but preferably not at the end of the year. Summer is a good time to strengthen skills.

Math: Math builds from year to year. If you never quite mastered fractions or the multiplication tables, you will definitely have difficulty with algebra. If math seems difficult or grades are lower than expected, there may be gaps. A tutor can help fill in these gaps and re-teach areas of difficulty. In math, there are many ways to do most problems, and learning more than one way is usually helpful.

Writing: Writing also builds from year to year. If you are writing below grade level, there could be many reasons. You may need to work on using varied sentence structure, using more descriptive adjectives and verbs, or adding more detail. You may need to practice arguing a point of view, backing up arguments with examples, or developing a voice. Some students need help with grammar and sentence structure. Writing doesn’t come easily for everyone, and it is difficult to get enough writing instruction in school to become a good writer. A tutor can use creative writing and areas of interest to make assignments more interesting. Since this can be time consuming, summer is an excellent time to work on writing skills.

Reading: There are two components of reading: decoding and comprehension. Having difficulty with either of these impedes learning in all subjects. If you suspect a reading difficulty, do not hesitate contacting the teacher. However, do not expect your preschooler to catch onto reading. Beginning reading is developmental and may take some time. If your child is not reading halfway through first grade, then you can take action. A tutor can help with all aspects of reading. If decoding is the main issue, testing and school based remediation may also be necessary. For reading comprehension, a tutor can teach techniques such as visualizing and active reading strategies to students of all ages.

History/Social Studies/Government and Science Courses: Tutoring for these subjects works best while the student is taking the course. The tutor can work on efficient reading strategies, comprehension, memorization strategies, and study skills.

Test Preparation: For our company, the test prep most in demand is SAT and ACT prep. Students’ scores do improve from practice and instruction. It is in each student’s best interest to strive for the highest possible score to allow for more choices of colleges. While practice test taking and strategy instruction can begin about three months before the test, you can begin preparing for the SAT and ACT one or more years ahead. You can work on writing and math skills and read diverse material, both fiction and nonfiction, on a regular basis. Build vocabulary by reading challenging material and special SAT novels, and look up words you don’t know. The more prep time, the better, and a tutor can help at any time in the process.

How do you find the right tutor? You can ask your friends for referrals, search the web, or get a list of tutors from the school. Then ask the right questions. What kind of education and teaching or tutoring experience does the tutor have? If you use an agency, how do they screen the tutors? Do they interview them on the phone or in person? Do they conduct reference checks or background checks? Will the tutor come to your home or will you take your child to a center? Will the tutoring be one-to-one or small group? Can the agency provide a different tutor if your tutor becomes unavailable? Is the scheduling flexible? Can you have a trial session with the tutor to see if it is a good match? Be sure to periodically check with your child to make sure the tutoring is productive.

Why get a tutor instead of helping your child yourself?

If you are successful helping your own child, go with it. However, many students do not cooperate as well with their own parents as with an outsider, especially in middle school and high school. Sometimes it is best to step back and spend time with your child doing more fun, relationship building activities. Overwhelming research supports the benefits of one-on-one tutoring in improving students’ grades, study skills, and confidence levels (Bloom, 1984; Slavin et al., 1991; Slavin, Karweit, & Madden, 1989; Wasik & Slavin, 1990; McArthur, Stasz, & Zmuidzinas, 1990; Hock, Schumaker, & Deshler, 1995; Lepper et al., 1997; Merrill et al., 1995; Simmons, Fuchs, Fuchs, Mathes & Hodge, 1995; Vadasy, Jenkins, Antil, Wayne, & O’Connor, 1997). Long term or short, a private tutor can help your child improve skills and build confidence.

Bring On the New School Year With Tutoring

2009-08-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

As a new year at school approaches, students and their parents will soon be waiting in long lines for school supplies, purchasing new clothing and/or uniforms, and adapting from summer ‘vacation’ to fall ‘work’. Although a tutoring program may seem like it should be the last thing on our minds, in many cases Fall is one of the most important times to consider supplementary education. Being proactive about your child’s education has many benefits including: optimizing long term grade results and organization skills; boosting consistency and confidence; and reducing stress. Here are a few helpful hints to consider when choosing your tutor in September, 2010.

Keep in mind that tutors aren't just for people having trouble in school. It is true that many students get a tutor because they are falling behind in a particular subject such as Math or Reading. However, several others work with a tutor so they can get advanced instruction, or enrichment in Reading and Writing skills, foreign languages, complex areas of science and math, and other subjects.

You should talk to the student’s teachers early in September before you get a tutor. If the student is struggling in a specific subject, they will be able to provide guidance on the key areas the student may need help in. Conversely, if you're considering a tutor to help your child get ahead in school, teachers will be able to suggest the best places for you to focus your efforts. In either case, you should discuss tutoring with the student’s teachers. They will be impressed by how proactive and involved you are in your child’s education.

Not all tutors are equally skilled. It's important to interview a potential tutor to make sure the tutor has the training and experience the student needs. Has the tutor worked as a classroom teacher? If you are interested in math, did the tutor major in math in college? Does the tutor have references from at least three satisfied clients? Ask hard questions before you put down any money or sign any agreements.

Realistic goals and expectations are the key to success. Beware of big promises of improvement: that you'll quickly be getting As instead of Cs, that you'll be able to spend less time on your schoolwork, or that you'll be able to get into any college you want. Aim for more modest goals, such as improving test scores by five or ten points, and then build on these small successes. Whatever the plan, it's important that the student, the parents and the tutor share the same goals.

The school year is full of fresh opportunities, and getting a tutor may be just what your child needs to make the most of them. Good luck.

Summertime Learning

2009-04-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

As summer rapidly approaches, many of us have exciting plans -- swimming, boating, camp, vacations, you name it. The weather is already getting warmer and the children are counting the days until summer. It is no wonder if your child is becoming less and less interested in school work. Are you worried that Jimmy and Samantha will forget what they have learned in school this year? Your worry is a valid one, for as we all know, one needs to practice any skill to keep it strong. Actually, summer is an excellent time to both apply what your child learned in school to real life situations and to learn more. By nature, children are curious. Your child may not enjoy doing homework, but in another setting, chances are that he or she enjoys learning.

Do you use Reading and Writing in everyday life? Show your child how! Together, you can:

Read a manual to repair or build something for your house or to build a model car or plane.
Discuss what you have learned from a magazine or newspaper. Obtain age appropriate magazines and newspapers for your child such as Owl, National Geographic Kids, summer Scholastic or Weekly Reader (which you can probably order through the school). Amazon also features a variety of specialized children's magazines.

Go to the library or book store regularly for books for you and your child. Make the trip exciting and fun.
Have daily reading time for the family and discuss what your child and you have been reading. Do not drill your child, but keep the discussion light and conversational.
Encourage your child to read to a younger sibling or neighbor.
Write letters to friends and encourage your child to do the same.
If possible, bring your child to your office for a couple of hours and demonstrate how important writing is in your office. You need to provide a model -- if you watch TV all evening, so will your child.

Are you looking for opportunities to practice math?

At the grocery store, see if you can estimate the price of all the groceries.
For small items, have your child use money and count change.
Measure the area and perimeter of your house.

Are you becoming exhausted? Parents do not need to participate in every educational activity. Suggest projects for children to do together. How about writing plays and then presenting them? The ideas are limitless. The important thing is to find fun and stimulating ways to practice key skills.

In addition to practicing skills, your children can learn a lot of new things this summer. Talk to them and find out their interests. The Vancouver area has an incredible number of fun and educational activities. Almost every child is fascinated with the Vancouver Zoo, Vancouver Aquarium, Science World, the Planetarium, and the Vancouver Museum. There are also several art galleries and museums; children can appreciate art at any age. Don't just go to a museum and wander around aimlessly. Focus on one or two exhibits, and take a break for lunch. Rather than rushing through the exhibits, take the time to think about and discuss what you are seeing. Listen to what stirs excitement.

Does your child show a particular interest in dinosaurs? Here is your opportunity for further research. You can follow up your museum trip with a trip to the library. You can find books, research in an encyclopedia, use the internet, or use the multimedia encyclopedia on CD-ROM. Be creative with the research. Why not prepare a fun scrapbook rather than a research report? In 1981, when I was 8 years old and sick in bed, my mother brought me beautiful large art paper and markers. I created a "moon book", which included parts from an old National Geographic magazine about the first lunar landing, summaries about the moon expedition, a poem about my dog going to the moon, and short stories. It was great fun and certainly educational.

In addition to the creative and educational activities that you can provide, your child may benefit from more structured learning. This is especially true if you notice that some basic skills are weak and you want to give your child a boost and build self confidence for next year. Many summer school programs are offered in the Metro Vancouver area, and they are generally part time. Private tutoring sessions can zero in on your child's particular needs and reinforce weak areas. If you choose direct instruction, keep in touch with your child's teacher or tutor and try to supplement what your child is studying with fun and applied activities.

Summer is not a time to forget skills, but a time to reinforce and supplement skills and knowledge. When the summer is over, keep up the enrichment that you began. Learning is a lifelong activity. Most importantly, when your child asks questions, listen and discuss. We teachers call this a "teachable moment." Good luck and enjoy!

Tutors on Call is a local tutoring company that provides home-based tutoring for all ages and subjects. http://www.tutors-on-call.com/

Falling Behind? Get Organized and Catch Up!

2009-04-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Falling Behind? Get Organized and Catch Up!

Sam moped into the house with a glum look on his face. "What's wrong?" his mother asked the usually cheerful 13 year old. "I have too much homework," he complained, "and I still don't understand the Math we did last month. I'll never catch up!" Indeed, his grades had gradually diminished as he fell farther behind.The hopeless feeling of not being in control can prevent students from making the effort needed to jump back up. They most likely feel overwhelmed and stressed. Some students have always had difficulty organizing time, materials, and homework assignments. Others have difficulty reading, writing, and studying efficiently and effectively. For many students, good time management, organizational techniques, and solid study skills can help them regain control and may be the key to success.Sam, like most students, can greatly improve his predicament with the help of a parent, friend, or tutor. Have your child follow these guidelines, but let him be in control of study patterns and organizational techniques. It is important for each student to learn to organize his time and study habits in ways that work for him. The following tips can be modified for students of all ages.

Write Down a List
Adults are always writing down lists, and sometimes the lists themselves become misplaced. Keep a special small notebook for all lists. First, list your general goals.

Here is Sam's list: Sam's Goals
1. Catch up on Math - figure out inequalities and absolute value. Also learn those awful problems about 2 trains passing each other.
2. Hand in English assignment from last week.
3. Find a way so this week's homework all gets done.
4. Find time for all this before or after baseball practice.
5. Organize papers so they don't get lost.

OK, that is a list of general goals. It may be overwhelming, but it is usually a comfort to write them down. Now it is time to break the list down into parts. Does Sam have a homework notebook? Probably. Does he always write down all his homework in it? Maybe, maybe not. What about long term assignments, such as projects and major tests? How are they handled?

Keep a Calendar
Every student should have a homework notebook which travels between home and school. In addition, it is helpful to use a large desk calendar to display the month as a whole. The space for each day should be large enough to write down at least four comments. Copy assignments from the homework notebook to the calendar. Note the days of special events, when little homework can be done. Note any test or quiz as soon as the teacher announces its date. For each day in between the announcement and the test, list what you will study. Cramming at the last minute is not as effective as spacing out the studying. In addition, cramming is unlikely to result in long term retention, which is why it is useful to keep up with the material all along, before any test is announced. Do not forget to note due dates of long term projects along with which piece of the project you expect to accomplish each day. Jot down all homework assignments on the calendar. Capitalize, highlight, or use a different colored pen to write all due dates and test dates.

Sam's Calendar APRIL 2009

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Science study pgs 4-12	Science Study pgs. 12-20 Math pg. 35 LA pg. 20	Science answer practice questions Math pgs. 36	Basketball Game Dinner with Dad	Science - review weak areas Math pg. 37 LA pg. 23	SCIENCE TEST	Go to library for moon books. Start reading
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
Take notes for moon project	More notes + outline Math p.38 Essay on dogs	Start writing report Review for Math test	Finish report & edit Practice problems for Math test	MOON REPORT DUE MATH TEST	VACATION

Alternatively, use your homework assignment book in the same way as a calendar.

Sam's Assignment Book
MONDAY, APRIL 2nd, 2009

MATH P.35
LA P.20
HISTORY
SCIENCE Study pp. 12-20
TEST FRIDAY!
BAND

Organize Your Papers
Every paper should be in its appropriate folder or notebook, never loose in a backpack. Using one folder strictly for homework and parent notices decreases their likelihood of becoming lost. Every quarter, clean out the notebooks. Save notes and tests that you may need for a midterm or final at home in labeled files.

Develop a Catching-Up List
List all the subjects that need catching up, whether it is an assignment that is overdue or something you just did not understand. For each subject, write down specifically what you need to do, when you will do it, and whether it requires someone's help. How can you tackle the assignment? Who can help? Try to catch up on only one subject or assignment in a day.

Prepare a Daily Homework Schedule
Make sure your work space has all necessary supplies - paper, sharpened pencil, ruler, etc. This way there will be fewer excuses for interruptions. Work in a space away from distractions such as TV and visitors. Review all homework at the beginning of the homework session, and visualize what completing it will be like. Then ascertain which homework may need someone's help, and schedule that assignment for a time when help will be available. Prioritize assignments. First complete the ones due tomorrow, and then begin the longer term projects.

Sam should adjust these times to reflect the amount of time expected for each subject. One subject may take longer than expected or there may be a delay due to a phone call. (Of course, Sam should keep the phone call short on a busy homework night.) If Sam has not finished his Math homework by 8:30, he could tape the TV show. If he does not have time for the overdue English assignment, perhaps he can reschedule it for the weekend. The schedule is not written in stone, but is a guide. It is better to have a plan you can modify than to have no plan at all.

Is Homework Taking Too Long? Can study skills be improved?
Some students take hours and hours to do homework that other students do in one hour. If you think your child spends too much time on homework, talk to her/his teacher to find out how much time the homework is expected to take. Then ask other parents how long their children take to do homework. Good study skills should reduce homework time. A student can read more efficiently by focusing on main ideas, visualizing, skimming and scanning. Organizing ideas for writing is difficult for many students. Writing process techniques such as brainstorming, outlining, organizing paragraphs, using more colorful language, revising, and editing are helpful. Studying for a Math test should include not simply reading over the chapter, but practicing problems, particularly those in perceived weak areas, and checking the answers.

Can Sam catch up?

Yes! He needs to figure out what he needs to do, write it down, create and follow a schedule, and learn study skills that will improve his knowledge of the subject matter and simultaneously decrease the time required for daily homework. He may need help from a parent or tutor. He definitely needs to be motivated to put in the time and effort required to catch up and improve his grades.

Tutors on Call is a local tutoring company that provides home-based tutoring for all ages and subjects. http://www.tutors-on-call.com/

Spring: Time for a Tutor!

2009-03-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Spring: Time to Make an Appointment with a Tutor!

Winter is nearly over and the spring tutoring season is upon us. Spring time is the perfect time of year to assess the progress that your child is making in school and it is also the perfect time to make adjustments to their educational plan. Regardless if your child is currently working with a tutor or not, now is the time to work with tutoring service s to fine tune their education and learning goals.

Spring means that there are only a few months of school left in the school year. This also means that there is just a short period of time to determine if your child needs to make adjustments to their learning and education plan to finish the year in line with their peers. A springtime evaluation by a tutoring service can help identify problems that your child is having, it can help determine if they will benefit from summer school and it can also help you to determine what needs to be done to correct learning problems before the next school year starts.

While spring tune-ups and evaluations are important for students that are struggling, they can also be beneficial for advanced students. Advanced students often are overlooked for tutoring assistance because they are doing fine in class. However, advanced students can benefit from an evaluation by a tutoring service, as they can help the student to set new learning goals, to make an educational plan for high school and to focus on college preparation strategies.

Tutors on Call is a local tutoring company that provides home-based tutoring for all ages and subjects. http://www.tutors-on-call.com/

Promoting the Love of Reading

2009-03-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Promoting the Love of Reading

School was always easy for Austin. He understands his homework, completes it smoothly, and then hangs out with his friends. His brother, Pete, is envious. He struggles through his homework, so that it takes him twice as long as his brother to complete it, year after year. Both know that intelligence isn’t the issue. Pete’s verbal and analytical abilities are superb. There is a very simple reason for schoolwork being easier for Austin. He is an avid reader. He reads for pleasure every day – novels, magazines, newspapers, and biographies. Since reading is so second-nature to him, he can easily read and understand everything that comes his way. Because schoolwork is all about reading, he is at home doing it. Pete is very good at basketball. He shoots baskets in his driveway every day and plays with neighborhood friends several times a week. He outperforms his brother, who rarely plays. But Pete does not read for pleasure. He only reads what is required for school. Like basketball, to be a good reader requires practice. The most significant predictor of success in school is the habit of reading for pleasure.

Benefits in a Nutshell

1. Reading is relaxing and fun.
2. Readers effortlessly improve their vocabulary and comprehension.
3. Reading stimulates imagination.
4. Reading expands the mind by teaching about different cultures, different walks of life, different personality types, and useful information.
5. Reading for pleasure consistently improves test scores.
6. Reading on a regular basis improves writing and spelling.
7. Practice is the only way to become an excellent reader.

The benefits of reading for pleasure are extensive.
Dr. Ellen M. Ashburn, a recently retired director of Language Arts, says in her article The Importance of Reading for Pleasure, “Reading just for the fun of it was making me a more fluent reader. It was increasing my vocabulary, exposing me to a wealth of experiences outside of my own little world, and stimulating my imagination. It was stretching my attention span, allowing me to empathize with others, and often changing my negative opinions to positive ones. Reading was also introducing me to language that I would not have heard in everyday conversation or on television sitcoms.” Mary Leonhardt, a veteran English teacher, wrote several books on how to get children to love reading. She emphasized helping them find books they love based on their interests. She pointed out the importance of reading series books and finding books by the same author. According to Ms. Leonhardt, “The top readers are avid readers, the students who are always reading books of their own choice, above and beyond the requirements of any high school course. It doesn’t seem to matter very much what they read, although over their years of reading they tend to gravitate to more complex authors and books.” Ms. Leonhardt’s book lists are pre-Harry Potter, but Harry Potter books have been unprecedented in getting kids to read. The ongoing saga of Harry and his friends and enemies is so compelling that children in 3rd grade are reading 700+ page books well above their grade level. So how do we get our children to enjoy reading enough to voluntarily use their leisure time to read?

Do not force your children to learn to read before they are ready.
If you do, reading will be something they hate. Studies have shown that most children begin to read between the ages 4 and 7, whatever is developmentally appropriate for them. Over time, early readers do not necessarily do any better than late readers. If you are trying to teach your young child to read, and she is just not catching on, stop and try again later. Go backwards and just work on rhymes. Make reading positive. And always continue to read aloud and discuss the books.

Reading has to be a priority in your family.
From the time your children are toddlers, reading must be presented as a positive thing. Read books every day and also allow your pre-readers to peruse books on their own. Continue to read to your children even after they can read independently. Talk about the books. Laugh about the books. Read the characters in funny voices. Relate the stories to your children’s lives. Limit TV watching, even educational TV. The problem with TV is that it does not allow the use of imaginations as reading does. It also uses up valuable time that could be used for reading. To set an example, everyone in your family should read.

To be a good reader, practice is important – what you read is not.
It is fine to read comics, magazines, newspapers, and series books – especially series books. If you can get your child hooked on a series, such as Junie B. Jones, Mary Kate and Ashley, or Harry Potter, he will always look forward to the next one. He will read by choice, and not necessarily only during family reading time. Do not try to get him to read better quality or more challenging books.

Reading for pleasure is supposed to be easy and fun.
When I was a child, I always had a book going. I brought my book to school and read it just before the teacher started talking. Sometimes I read it in the bus. I read it when I got home. Even now, with much more limited time to read, I take the metro rather than drive so I can read. Most of our local schools have silent reading every day in class. Encourage your child to keep a book going by reading it at home and taking it to school for continuity.

If your child doesn’t like to read, here are some possible reasons:
1. She/He doesn’t have time or is too busy hanging with friends, doing homework, watching TV and playing video games. Remember, it is your family’s job to make reading a priority.

2. Reading is too difficult. Maybe he/she needs remediation in phonics. The student needs to be able to read fluently to enjoy it. To read for pleasure, the student may need an easier book. It doesn’t matter if it is below grade level. The more the student practices, the more his/her reading ability will improve.

3. He/She hasn’t found what interests him. This may take some research and lots of trial and error, but everyone can find something interesting to read, even if it’s a magazine, comic book, or the sports pages.

4. He/She needs someone to take an interest. Find what interests your child, read along, and talk about it.

5. She/He needs it to be relevant. This could be directions for a model airplane or information on a football star.

You will never regret your efforts to help your children find a love for reading. In addition to finding a lovely way to relax, they will benefit by effortlessly improving their vocabulary and reading comprehension. In addition, they will enhance their higher level reading skills by having enough reading experience to detect the nuances in each author’s writing. So don’t just make reading a priority. For the best results, make reading by choice a priority. Your children will thank you later.

Suggested Page-Turners – series and popular authors
(For more books lists, see your local librarian for lists by grade.)

Lower grades
Amelia Bedelia
The Magic School Bus
Junie B. Jones
The Magic Treehouse
Beverly Cleary books
Cam Jansen books
American Girl series
Judy Blume books
Shel Silverstein books
Roald Dahl books

Middle grades
Matt Christopher books (sports novels)
Judy Blume books
Katherine Paterson
Hinton – The Outsiders
Cynthia Voight books
C. S. Lewis books
Harry Potter books

Older grades
John Grisham books
Stephen King Books
Danielle Steel books
Terry McMillan books
Tom Clancy books

Tutors on Call is a local tutoring company that provides home-based tutoring for all ages and subjects. http://www.tutors-on-call.com/

Why is Learning a Second Language Important?

2009-03-14T00:12:00.000-07:00

Why is Learning a Second Language Important?

The easiest way to answer this question is to list the benefits and advantages to those who take the time to explore the language of a culture different than their own.

On a personal level, learning a second language takes people out of their imprinted mindset and exposes them to the mores and customs of an entirely different group of people. Their view of the world expands beyond blurbs on the nightly news and into a deeper understanding of how other people think.

While this can be difficult, the effort pays off in more than simply a new list of vocabulary words. Like a muscle being exercised, the brain is able to function better in terms of organization, memory, and expression. When someone has to express themselves in another language, it automatically improves their ability to express themselves in their native tongue.

In terms of community, learning a second language will also increase understanding and compassion for other cultures. This becomes a powerful tool in fighting stereotypes and bigotry. For example, a native English speaker who takes the time to learn some Spanish before traveling to Mexico will have more than simply a greater chance of understanding the street signs and menus. By making the effort to speak to people in their language, rather than assuming they should speak English, the traveler is validating the Mexican culture. The simple act of trying to express oneself in the other language shows a respect that is usually appreciated.

Pragmatically, with the advent of the global marketplace, having a second or even third language on a resumé is almost a requirement of the job-seeking professional. Especially in careers where clients may be anywhere on the globe, the ability to communicate with them in their own language increases both the quality of the relations and the ability of the business to meet their needs. Businesses recognize that a person with the ability to speak a second language fluently is a valuable asset. It also shows off the capacity of the aspiring job candidate to learn and assimilate complex systems of information, a talent that is sure to catch the attention of any human resources department.

Resources for Learning a Second Language

With the importance of learning a second language so clear, the question becomes one of how to do it. Luckily, the same culture that makes the skill necessary also makes it easier than any other time in history to become fluent in a new language.

1. Traditional teaching: Universities, community colleges, and several private organizations offer traditional language classes. The range to choose from may depend on the size of the institution, and they will almost always charge fees for classes and materials. The need of many people to learn a second language has turned this field into a thriving industry.
2. Tutoring: Arranging for a one-on-one language course with a reputable tutoring company is a very effective way of learning a new language. The many advantages include:customized program to suit your needs; work at your own pace; get immediate feedback on your progress. Many tutoring services offer instruction in several languages and will often conduct lessons in your own home.
3. Internet: More than just Web sites, there are many Web 2.0 and social media technologies that provide language lessons, audio guides to pronunciation, feedback from native speakers and fellow students, and much more. These includes videos on YouTube and other sites; podcasts; and online messaging and chat tools such as Skype which facilitate connection and contact between students and teachers. Using these resources allows students to proceed at their own pace and within their own time frame. Best of all, most of these are free.
4. Immersion: The most complete immersion would be to actually move to the country, but that's not always a possibility. In most large cities, however, there are cultural centers, discussion groups, and other organizations that usually welcome the curious to join them. At first, communication may be awkward and stilted. However, with persistence and attention, the sounds and meanings of a language sink in and become internalized. This method of learning a language usually stays with a person longer, the equivalent of "muscle memory" for an athlete.

Whatever method is used, it should be clear that the importance of learning a second language is only surpassed by the many resources available to do it.

Tutors on Call is a local tutoring company that provides home-based tutoring for all ages and subjects. http://www.tutors-on-call.com/

Choose the Right Tutoring Company

2009-03-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Choose the Right Tutoring Company

When trying to find a tutor for your student, you are bombarded by an astonishing number of choices. A tutoring company offers many advantages over an individual.

Fit with the Student: A tutoring company has a variety of tutors. This allows them to match your student to a tutor who has the necessary subject knowledge, tutoring experience, and a complementary personality to the student. A personal connection is a very important, often overlooked key to a successful tutor/student relationship. Having many different tutors allows a company to provide your student with tutors in different subjects and to be flexible with your scheduled sessions.
Quality: A tutor has to go through a number of steps to gain employment with a good tutoring company. Qualified tutors submit their résumés to us. We interview the most promising of these candidates; then we call personal and professional references of the best tutors we interviewed. If they are highly recommended, we perform criminal background checks on each prospective tutor. If the background check is clear, we bring in the tutor for an orientation and example tutoring session. Each tutor must demonstrate the ability to tutor effectively at the interview level and the orientation level before they will actually be placed with a student. When you hire an individual tutor, you have 2 options: you can do all of that yourself, or you can risk it.
Professionalism: A tutoring company has established methods of doing business. Companies have systems of invoicing their customers and paying their tutors. This allows the tutor to focus on what they do best: teaching. Additionally, tutoring companies have a code of conduct and a level of professional behavior they expect from their tutors.
Reliability: Unexpected things happen to people. People move, retire, get sick, etc. If you are working with a tutoring company, they have another tutor that they can pair with your student to make sure that the test is still studied for, even though the regular tutor is sick. If a tutor moves away, the company can provide a new tutor and already be familiar with the situation, as opposed to you trying to find a new individual on your own.
Accountability: Tutoring companies have invested in their reputation. Their tutors work with multiple students, not just yours. They are known entities in the community. A tutoring company has more to lose and consequently more motivation to make you happy by going above and beyond to give you and your student a great experience.

Tutors on Call is a locally-owned and operated tutoring service. Since 1995, Tutors on Call has successfully satisfied the needs of our students the comfortable, relaxed setting of their own home. http://www.tutors-on-call.com

Why Choose a Tutor?

2009-03-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Why Choose a Tutor?

Tutors on Call receives many types of inquiries; some are reactive attempts to help a struggling student pass the provincial exam, while others are more proactive in nature and feature a long term approach. Typically, our students need different kinds of help ranging from remediation, to homework support, to re-enforcement and enrichment. The inquiries that are most difficult to address are the few that come in April or even later from a parent who desperately exclaims: “My child is failing all his subjects!”. I am very polite but I can’t help thinking, “Why did you wait so long to address this?”. We have been known to work wonders at Tutors on Call, even in desperate situations like this. Our tutors often can help students raise their grade from an F to a C over the course of two12-week programs, but trying to catch up with the rest of the class with one month left to go in the school year is too little, too late.

If you decide not to hire a tutor until absolutely necessary, there are many things you can do at home. If home study techniques don’t work, however, a tutor can help enormously. The key is to be proactive. Do not wait until the student is too far behind.

Tips for Homework: One of the most common reasons students get poor grades in school is due to not handing assignments. Set the expectation early in the school year that the student completes all homework, and hands it in. Asking your child if the homework is done is often not enough to keep track. Most classroom teachers invite parents to stay in touch with them by e-mail. At the end of September, you should communicate with all the student’s teachers about the quality and frequency of the homework being handed in. Offer to help in any way you can. Before Halloween, make sure you’ve contacted all the teachers once more. If the homework is not being handed in, make an attempt to determine why. Begin by discussing this with the student. Is the homework too difficult? Is the student missing important information about the requirements of the assignments? Is the student overwhelmed by the amount of homework, or a full after-school schedule? Is the student simply unmotivated to complete their homework? The following are some important tips to assist you in monitoring the student’s homework:

Reserve an area of the home specifically designated for the completion of homework for each student. Make sure it is quiet, free of clutter, and is stocked with basic supplies.
Reserve a consistent time each day to complete homework. Be on hand to provide support during that time. Encourage independence - do not do the student’s work. You may assist by asking questions and giving hints to help the student solve out the problem, on their own. This is known as the Socratic Teaching Method, and it works
Eliminate distractions such as the internet, television, video games, telephone until homework is complete.
Be firm! Ensure the student understands your expectations around homework. Discuss the consequences of not following these guidelines.
Use positive re-enforcement for finishing homework and doing a good job. Praise them and tell them you are proud of them! If you wish, offer incentives like treats or privileges.
Ensure the student maintains high standards of quality and neatness.

Some parents do not have the proper specific academic skills to effectively help their children with their homework. Others are faced with a busy work, or personal schedule. Some do not possess enough specific knowledge to offer remedial support. Some students respond well to a “professional authority” from outside the family. If the student fails to complete homework because it is too difficult, and you are unable to help, arranging for a tutor may be the answer. However, if the student is capable of completing homework on his/her own but is unmotivated due to outside interests, you may need to be more firm and restrict other interests, such as TV, computer, and socializing, until homework is completed.

Tips for Tests: If your student completes homework well but score poorly on tests it is likely that she/he is either: not practicing proper test preparation/taking techniques, or; has test anxiety (or both!). Some students get better results on multiple choice tests, while others do better on essay format tests. Learning basic study skills like visualization and memorization techniques will help. For essays, focusing on proofreading and essay writing skills may be the answer. Either way, completing several practice or ‘mock’ tests will help to boost the student’s test scores.

A tutor can assist with test preparation and test taking skills by focusing on the areas the student needs to improve on most. For example, a tutor may choose to target study skills like memorization, practice tests, and essay writing. Keep in mind that even though a student may demonstrate an excellent knowledge of a topic, and ‘ace’ the oral exam, they may fail the written test due to poor writing skills.

Tips for Studying: Many students lack the skills to effectively study for an exam. While some will not study at all, claiming they already know the material, others will skim the text and their notes. Here are examples of some effective studying techniques:

Math: Do several practice problems and check the answers
Social Studies & Literature: Learn to target main ideas. Create study sheets and flash cards. Write down questions that you think may be asked and try to answer them. Work with study partners.
Spelling, use flash cards and have someone test the student
Apply these techniques early on a regular basis, not right before the test.

There are many active study techniques taught by our tutors. Those were just a few. Study skills are best taught when they are applied to subject tutoring. For example, mnemonic memorization strategies, such as making up silly acronyms or stories to memorize details, can be integrated into social studies tutoring sessions.

Tips for Organization: Many students are unable to complete their homework or study effectively due to poor organization skills. This type of problem is common with students with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and other learning disabilities. Our tutors teach organization skills like prioritizing, highlighting, organizing notebooks, breaking down large tasks into smaller ones, and planning for long term assignments.

Tips on Dealing with Classroom Teachers: Many classroom teachers inform parents when their children are falling behind or need extra help. A few teachers may tell parents that their children are doing fine even when a parent may notice herself that a child is struggling with reading or writing. Although getting feedback from teachers is very important, make sure to monitor the student’s performance closely and regularly. Keep in mind that these days, class sizes are quite large, and your child’s teacher may not be able to see the problems you might encounter at home.

Remediation: Many students who contact us for the first time are behind the rest of the class in certain subjects. Be aware of the signs that may indicate your child is getting behind:

He/She struggles and complains, particularly concerning one subject.
It takes hours to complete the homework, and even then it contains numerous errors.
The student does not like to read anything for pleasure and/or cannot describe the content of something he/she has read.
The student is having difficulty getting past math facts, long division, fractions, etc.
The student has difficulty with reading comprehension and lacks efficient studying strategies.
The student does poorly on written assignments because his/her writing skills need work.

For the student who is behind, catching up is hard to do since the other students in the classroom keep moving further ahead. However, if no one at home is able to help effectively, a weekly, bi-weekly, or tri-weekly tutor can.

About Test Scores: Standardized tests show how students rank with other children their age. If you are concerned with your child’s test scores, discuss them with the teacher.

About Confidence: Is the student confident about school and learning? Many parents hire tutors just to boost confidence. Grades might be acceptable, but the student may be feeling unsure and may need a boost.

Enrichment: Some parents hire tutors for enrichment in reading, writing or math. Some students are bored in school and need to be challenged more.

Sudden Changes: Some parents hire a tutoring service after a sudden decrease in marks. For example, the student was doing fine until recently, when grades started to get significantly lower. Often this happens right after moving from elementary to high school, when a student who is used to one teacher suddenly has to juggle many teachers and accompanying homework. This is tough for a student who lacks organizational skills. Emotional turmoil related to family or social situations are other reasons for sudden drops in grades. In these cases, your child may need to seek the assistance of a counselor first and then a tutor to catch up.

Listen and Watch: Be sure to pay attention. Does the student complain that schoolwork is too difficult, confusing, or overwhelming? Does the student protest that there is too much work? Is reading a book, doing homework, or studying very stressful? Hiring a tutor may be just what the student needs to get back on track!

Tutors on Call, is a BC owned and operated tutoring service. Since 1995, Tutors on Call has successfully satisfied the needs of our students in the comfortable, relaxed setting of their own home. http://www.tutors-on-call.com/