Humans
have been tutoring each other since the dawn of history—how else was the
making of fire learned and passed on? This need for face-to-face attention
continues today: Proponents of e-learning are saying their programs are most
effective when blended with one-on-one mentoring and hands-on-experience.
People
are hiring tutors in almost any area in which skills can be taught and
acquired: academic subjects and computer use, athletic skills and hobbies.
While most independent tutors have students come to their homes, some go the
clients' homes or may be able to use space at the students' schools, or if
they're helping students with a sport, they'll use the appropriate kind of
field or facility.
Academic
tutoring has been in particular demand because of the increased expectations
placed on high school and even grade school students. As one tutor told us,
"What used to be taught in college in the old days is now taught in
high school." Crowded classrooms don't enable the individual attention
many students require, and parents are finding that their children are not
sufficiently prepared for college nor for the entrance examinations
necessary for admission. They realize their children often need more
personalized attention than they can get from classroom instruction.
Taught
without the pressure of peers or authorities, many students learn through
tutoring what they don't absorb in a classroom. As a tutor, you'll customize
what you teach to the level and needs of each of your students. While tutors
who specialize in computer topics will need equipment for their students to
use, most tutoring requires little in terms of books or materials.
While
the students you would typically work with are those whose parents can
afford to pay for this service on their own, a growing area of tutoring is
subsidized under federal law. These tutoring subjects are the children in
public schools who are falling behind under the No Child Left Behind Act and
children with learning disabilities. Understand, however, that if federal
funds are involved, teaching or other credentials are needed.
Beyond
academics, you can also teach or tutor any skill someone wants to learn.
Music, the arts, and sports like baseball and tennis are a few such areas
where both children and adults need additional help. And remember, it's
going to be easier to sell yourself if you have teaching experience or are
degreed in the subjects you're tutoring.
Tutoring
is a word-of-mouth business but to get to this point, you'll need to take
the initiative to develop a base of students. This is best done by calling
on teachers in the subject areas in which you specialize as well as talking
to school office personnel and counselors. You should also spread the word
among your neighbors and friends—it's likely you'll find your first
students among people you already know. Posting fliers on community bulletin
boards, writing articles for or buying ads in local publications and having
a Web site are other ways of generating business.
Tutors
generally work on an hourly basis. Though some tutors charge less and others
more, the general fees are $20 to $60 an hour. Rates will vary depending on
the subject you're teaching, grade of your students, your experience, your
community, and travel time (if you travel to your students' homes).
To
get more information on how to start your own tutoring service, contact the National
Tutoring Association, the leading professional organization in the
industry.
Authors
and career coaches Paul and Sarah Edwards' latest book is The Best Home
Businesses for People 50+.
