One-on-one or group tutoring. Which one is better for your student?
At Educational Connections, we have worked with thousands of students, providing a number of different tutoring services. Over the years, we have found one-on-one tutoring to be much more beneficial and effective than group tutoring in terms of results and overall experience. We offer primarily one-on-one, in-home tutoring services for these specific reasons:
Customized Lesson Plans
One of the biggest and most important benefits of one-on-one tutoring is the ability to have customized lesson plans for your student. When the tutor is able to focus on one individual student, he or she can pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses and come up with a plan that would work best for them. If the tutor finds that a student does not understand certain concepts, they have the flexibility of spending extra time reviewing them until the student fully grasps them.
In group tutoring, this is not possible; often tutors and instructors must follow a pre-planned curriculum, which causes some students to get left behind. Group tutoring focuses on overall improvement and strategies, whereas one-on-one tutoring focuses on students’ specific needs and goals.
Less Pressure, Less Distractions
Since many students are taking the SATs and ACTs around this time of year, test prep tutoring is commonly done in group form. However, having your student tutored in a group for test prep has many disadvantages.
When your student is surrounded by peers, it may be difficult for them to voice their concerns when they are having trouble with the material. They may feel self-conscious about their abilities and would forego asking questions, because they are afraid of what their peers may think. In one-on-one tutoring, there is no fear of sounding “stupid” or being laughed at, because the student is not in competition with any others.
Your student is also much more likely to become distracted in group tutoring, especially if their friends are present. They may engage in side conversations and will put less effort and dedication into their sessions. One-on-one tutoring helps cut out these distractions and allows the student to focus on learning, which will maximize their score increase.
The Student-Tutor Bond
Educational Connections understands the importance of finding the right tutor match for your student in terms of experience and personality. One-on-one tutoring allows you to select the best tutor who can help your student succeed and reach their full potential. Your student is much more likely and willing to learn if they are working with someone they are getting along with. In group tutoring, this option is not possible; your student is forced to accept a tutor who may not be the best match for their needs.
One-on-one tutoring also allows a tutor and student to form a strong bond, which will help the student grow academically. Once the tutor has established rapport with the student, the student will feel comfortable asking questions and trusting the tutor’s advice. In addition, the tutor helps motivate and build the student’s confidence by praising their accomplishments and acknowledging milestones reached. Having a figure that can provide your student with that specialized, one-on-one attention can make a huge difference in their life.
Whether you student is falling behind in school or would just like to advance his or her skills, we have found one-on-one tutoring to be the best option. It focuses on your student’s individual needs, and allows the tutor to come up with a game plan that would work best for your student. Group tutoring can often discourage students from asking questions or seeking specific help, whereas one-on-one tutoring encourages students to voice their concerns in order to pinpoint difficulties. You can also expect to see a huge boost in confidence and independence by allowing your student to work with a tutor who will best fit their personality and needs.