Marsiling, North, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East, Sembawang, Woodlands, Yishun, Admiralty, Khatib, Yew Tee, Yio Chu Kang
Qualification
Undergraduate
Tuition Background
Part-Time
Tuition/Teaching Experience
I have had one year of formal experience teaching/tutoring students at the secondary school level in Chemistry and Physics, in group and one-to-one arrangements. I have also done informal ad hoc tutoring in writing and literary skills.
I strive to make lessons they learn in school communicable on their level, tailored to how they learn.
I consider methods and approaches to be most important and the most helpful to learning. Knowing how to see things, and how to handle what is given and not given, means the student will know what to do and how to proceed, even if the questions/content are new/unfamiliar. Thus I try to teach my students methods of approach as a means of preparation, and focus on that, instead of the concrete details of the subject which can only bring them so far.
I can start with effect on 16th May 2016. I can commit for 2-3 months, but other arrangements can be considered specific to the assignment, depending on my schedule at university and the requirements of the student. I prefer one-to-one as it is more effective, but can cater up to 2 students if need be. I can meet at students' homes, or quiet public areas like cafes.
Rapport Building
I believe that communication is important between teacher and tutor, and student and tutor. I aim to learn about my students in terms of their learning styles and school performance (e.g. their experience with classes), and also their personality - since that will enable me to grasp how they learn/think, and experience their subject, and I can then try to create an approach/environment of learning that will suit them. I believe parents' expectations are also important in shaping learning, and will endeavour to get to know them, and let them know if any improvements are better made with their help.
Keeping Up with Curriculum
My information is mainly from the MOE/SEAB websites, but I spend the first lesson going through the students' curriculum (to get an informed sense of their schools' approach and specific areas of focus if any), past and current grades, and what they think are their difficulties.
As a Good Tutor
Enthusiasm and knowledge form the foundation of what I think a good tutor/teacher should be. At the very least, they should feel for their subject, and know their stuff.
Other qualities that are beneficial include patience, good time management (since we are after all working on a regular, timed basis), and the willingness to put in effort (because teaching does need effort). A good tutor should put in time to prepare their lessons. It's not just a job, but it concerns the student's development and possibly their future, and I try to keep these important tenets in mind.
