There is a large offer of tutors on different platforms and at different prices. This makes finding a tutor laborious, even more, knowing how much do they actually cost, or how should you know that the difference of price is justified?
The bright side of having a diversity of options is that there are all kinds of tutors that will suit different budgets and levels. This means that you will find a tutor suited for you, but in order to be able to find what suits you best, you must know a few things first.
What is your budget?
Setting a budget dedicated to your studies will help you define your study goals and plan ahead how many lessons you might need and if you need your English tutor to have a specific qualification or certificate. Setting your budget helps you to stay organized and not overspend or go beyond your budget, it will give you a structure to remain focused on your priorities for English.
What level are you looking for?
In order to set your budget realistically, you also need to know what you want to improve and learn during your English tuition.
For example, you will need a different number of lessons and probably a different tutor for a child who is just starting to learn English or if you want to improve your knowledge of grammar and writing skills. Another example is, if you are looking for an English tutor that will help you with exam revision, you will have to define the criteria that are substantial for your revision.
Thus, finding the right English tutor depends on your specific needs, and you have to be the one to set them in advance to be able to filter the different options that exist when looking for an English tutor.
Pricing, factors to take into account
Once you have set your budget and, you know which level or criteria your English tutor must have, you can start searching and apply some filters to your research. However, here is a list of factors that affect the prices of tutors that you have to take into consideration as well.
Company English tutor
Hourly rates vary from one company to the other. Most companies are registered businesses or institutions, thus making the general running cost higher due to taxation. The main advantage of using tutoring companies is the guarantee of each tutors' level of qualifications and experience. Since most of them must hold an A Level or undergraduate degree in their teaching subject.
The main disadvantage of companies tutoring styles is their rigidity in the teaching curriculum. You can find English tutors in these settings that will give you a lot of structure and discipline. However, if you are looking for an English tutor that allows more versatility during your lessons and that can offer you a tailored experience, this might be more difficult or not possible to find in this option.
Private English tutors
Another option is private English tutors, which you can find on different platforms across the internet. There is so much to choose from that it makes it difficult to know what you should be looking for, for fulfilling your needs. Here are the essentials you should look out for, this will guide and find what adjust to your budget and level.
- Qualifications: The more qualifications do tutors have, the more likely are their prices going to be elevated. Thus, if you are looking for beginners or intermediate level of English, you won't necessarily need an English tutor with a doctor's qualification. You can start looking for tutors with a level above your own level. Sometimes undergraduates and students are great tutors for this level because they have recently studied what you will need to learn and will easily identify with your possible difficulties.
But if you are looking for something specific such as English literature, Business English or even preparing for an English Certificate you might consider a tutor with a higher qualification to address your study goals. On Superprof, all tutors qualifications are verified to make sure that your search for a tutor is safe and secure. - Experience and Reviews: If your tutor does not have all the qualifications you are looking for, experience and reviews are significant, and sometimes can even be as essential as qualifications. The great aspect about this criterium is that you are able to read the experience of past or current students with a specific tutor. This allows you to know first-hand how the tutor is and if this is compatible with your necessities. In addition, if a teacher has little or no experience, most tutors offer a free first class, which lets you get to know the tutor and their teaching style.
Superprof platform values the sharing of knowledge and experience and seeks to help passionate tutors to find their suitable student match. - Location: This last factor plays a role in the hourly rates because the living expenses of certain cities or capitals affect the price of services. In order to afford their living expenses, tutors must adapt to the city and global and local market, which makes it sometimes very challenging for them to set a price that is competitive. An English tutor from Dublin will probably have a higher rate than a tutor from the countryside, but this does not mean that their experience and qualifications are any less important!
In Ireland, there are approximately 428 English tutors, their prices vary from €1 to €50 per hour. The country average is €17 per hour, which means there is a broad spectrum of English tutors available.
The benefits of a private English tutor are considerable, having tailored lessons, boosting your self-esteem, achieving your academic goals, successfully completing your education, among more!
A private English tutor will also have the characteristics you are specifically looking for, giving you much more flexibility with your schedule and your rhythm.
Alternatives to English private tutors
If your budget is still too limited, but you want or need to keep up with English, a few more options exist out there.
English or language applications and platforms
Nowadays, technology allows us to stay connected but also to keep on learning about the topics we care about!
- One option, you can find, are YouTube channels dedicated to English subjects that can start helping you with broader questions.
- Language applications, on the other hand, are more focused either on vocabulary and memorization or simple grammar rules, most of them are free or allow you a free trial. This is a great option if you are a beginner, or you want to polish your knowledge of English.
English Tandems
If you are really unable to afford a tutor at the moment, you can always consider finding a tandem partner. In this dynamic, you must offer a language, or sometimes another subject, you are able to teach yourself in exchange for English.
Although this option is a lot of fun and allows you to meet people from different backgrounds, it does not guarantee you a qualified or experienced tandem. Most times, two people meet and have enough knowledge to communicate at a beginners and intermediate level. Finding a tutor with a higher experience or qualification in this setting is not impossible, but it might be more difficult to find.
Nevertheless, English is a beautiful subject, and we are confident you will find what suits your needs!
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