Tutoring is a beautiful profession that requires passion, being your own boss and can have flexible hours. In addition, it is a very rich environment with students from different backgrounds and levels that challenge you every day.
The tutoring sector has expanded in recent years, and even more so now since the sanitary crisis. Furthermore, parents want their children to excel at extracurricular activities or improve the ones they may find difficulties with at school. Another important factor is the social mobility that is possible through extracurricular activities for children from more challenging backgrounds.
According to a 2016 study, the Sutton Trust found that the proportion of students who have received tuition in England and Wales has risen from 18% to 25% over the last decade.
As the demand increases, the tutoring workforce is also expanding. Individuals from a variety of sectors have been attracted to this profession, where you can decide your schedule, your rate, and also increase or decrease the number of students you are able to tutor. This is a productivity and career model that adapts well to nowadays needs and lifestyles.
Experience as an added value
For many tutors across the UK or Ireland, the most difficult question is 'how much should I charge for my experience?'
How to estimate your experience and its worth
Setting an hourly rate can be difficult because so many factors are into play, no hourly rate is the same for everyone teachers and students.
The following criteria must be taken into account when considering an average rate:
- The subject: some subjects require more experience and qualifications than others.
- The location or region: the living costs are not the same everywhere in the UK, thus affecting the price of the lessons. The offer and demand dynamic also impacts the price in some locations.
- The level of the pupil: depending on the level of the pupil, the lessons can have a different format
- The style of the lesson: some lessons are more technical and structured, while others might be lighter and allow the content to be more fluid.
- Finally, how much is the experience of the tutor adding value to the class for the student?
Experience is estimated according to the tutor's background and there can be numerous backgrounds, but they all fall under three categories:
- Experts or professionals: this is the most notorious kind of experience for some subjects that require expertise from someone that has worked or works in a specific field. Professionals are valued for their extensive knowledge and experience that learners can only acquire through tutoring or with years of personal experience. Being an expert in a field changes according to the subject, for example in languages a 'professional' might be a native speaker that has a linguistic academic background. The advanced knowledge of a subject means that they often charge the highest rate for tutoring, also because professionals are not as common as we think. However, some professionals do not always have the pedagogic background that your level might require, you can always ask what is their methodology to be sure this is a good fit for you.
- Qualified teachers: They have a solid pedagogic background on the subjects they offer and are able to adapt to several levels. Although they may not be on the cutting edge of the field, they have a sound knowledge of the subject and are familiar with the school syllabus, tests, and governing body standards. As a result, they can charge a substantial rate for their lessons.
- Undergraduates: Students frequently offer tutoring lessons as a part-time job alongside their studies to gain experience in their subject. They might be the least experienced of the three categories, but their passion, enthusiasm, and motivation make up for it. They can be very suited for children, beginners, or if you are a learner on a budget. Undergraduate tutors are very hard-working and can be better adapted to teach younger pupils. Being the least experienced among the other categories, they usually charge a lower rate for their tuition.
- Other experiences: even if you have less experience, in a specific subject or field, do not undersell yourself. If you have decided to be a dedicated tutor and are preparing your lessons with structure, and are keeping up with the subject, you are able to charge a reasonable price. Your time is valuable and there are many ways to add value to your class in addition to your experience. Charging too little for your time and dedication can affect how pupils perceive you and could affect your tutoring career.
Do formal qualifications weigh more on the price tutors can charge?
Formal qualifications do play a role in the requirements for tutoring. However, they are not the one and only factor that weighs in for some students.
The main reason is, what are your pupils' needs and aims, this will depend on their learning style and there is no qualification that compares to experience, pedagogic or personality.
Some pupils will look for a tutor with specific qualifications because some subjects might require a better understanding of the field. In this case, a university degree for tutoring will advocate for your knowledge and will have an effect on your rates.
Tutor responsibilities
As a tutor, you have a responsibility to be transparent and care for your reputation and for your students. This means that you should not teach a subject you don't know anything about, this is very detrimental both for you and for the development of your student.
Some students really depend on tutoring to achieve certain goals and scholarships, do not engage in an activity that could cause academic failure to one of your students, this will also be a career failure for your tutoring reputation. Be mindful and honest about your qualification and experience, this is the best way to have a dynamic and healthy teaching and learning experience for both you and the pupils.
Does a background in teaching affect wages for tutors?
This is very variable because experience is as valuable as qualifications. The more experience and qualification, the more are parents or prospective students going to consider you and your rates very seriously.
As mentioned earlier, honesty and transparency are key, even if you might not have a lot of experience. Even if the experience is proof of your competence as a teacher and gives students and parents more confidence to hire you and pay a higher price.
When qualifications are the strongest selling point of your tutoring services, this allows you to keep your rates higher than if you did not have them. In this case, parents and students will look for a specific kind of support and will expect very well-structured lessons and study plans. Therefore, thorough preparation and feedback on assignments and a profound understanding of the curriculum you are teaching are essential.
Another element that is most important when charging more for private tutoring lessons regardless of your experience or qualifications is professionalism, this will set you aside and makes a major difference.
Professionalism
This includes but is not limited to the following services:
- reliability and punctuality,
- individualized study plan,
- adequate preparation for lessons,
- thorough assignment feedback,
- Identifying strengths as much as their weaknesses,
- tracking of progress.
These practices should be applied by all tutors regardless of the level of experience, qualifications, or price rate. However, the expectations of your student will increase in line with your rate.
When adding all these elements, you will most likely be able to gather a very good track record, which is one of the first things that new students will see when searching for a tutor. The more mentoring you do, the more you will be able to gather reviews and the more will students trust in your tutoring abilities. Never be afraid to ask for feedback and a review!
If you do not count on experience at all, what can you do to increase your experience and therefore later on your rate?
How can I gain experience as a tutor?
If you are just getting started, do not be afraid, there is always room to grow and there will always be a student that will search for your specific qualifications and location.
That's why it is so important to build your profile and list all your capabilities and stronger points to stand out in your differences!
This will help you to differentiate yourself at the beginning. Once you have gathered a little experience, this will get you started to keep on growing. It will take time, but do not discourage, your rates should reflect your development.
Periodically, you should consider and review how much you charge to reflect the experience you have accumulated, in addition to your credentials. Do not forget to keep an eye on the other prices on the market to keep on a realistic price rate without undermining your time or over-evaluate it.
We also recommend you to ask your students for feedback on your teaching style, this way you will also learn something and improve possible mistakes or flaws in your teaching style that you had not noticed.
If you want to learn more about other factors affecting your rates, find out how rates vary across the UK and according to your subject.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
