Relatively quiet week this week on the tutoring front. The lesson I learned was the need to be flexible. I always ask that my “families” are, thank goodness. When your business partner double books, things go awry. Add to that the weather conditions, and the fact that I go out to work after dark, life gets a little awkward. However, this gives an example to young people that nothing goes according to plan and it is a good life lesson.
Tutoring, for me, is a joy. Inspiring young people to learn and helping them gain confidence is just as important as the actual mechanics of the subject.
Our young people need to face life straight on, ask questions and say when they don’t understand. Do you realise that students hate to say that they don’t understand, particularly in the classroom? They are scared to stand out in the crowd, in case they appear “stupid” or “clever”! I often point out that I understand this and make them promise to tell me if they don’t “get it”. That they will tell me even if it’s many times. Their lack of understanding is not their fault but mine. I can’t have explained it in a way they understand. This empowers them.
Giving your young people the right to ask questions will build their confidence.