Top 4 things you should pay attention to when choosing an English tutor
So, you've decided to start learning a foreign language. Maybe you want to improve your level, so you can finally get your dream job. Or you need to brush up on your speaking skills, so you feel more confident on an upcoming trip. Whatever your reason for learning a new language, you will probably face some challenges when deciding how to best approach it. One of the most important things you'll have to do is choose the right teacher. You might already know that you want to take an English course that allows you to study with a native speaker.
That's a great starting point! However, don't forget to pay attention to some other factors as well. Here are some of the things you should look for in your perfect teacher.
That's a great starting point! However, don't forget to pay attention to some other factors as well. Here are some of the things you should look for in your perfect teacher.
- Qualification
Some people believe that simply being a native speaker is enough to make a good teacher. Don't fall into that trap! It should go without saying that your teacher needs certain experience and qualification in order to help you achieve your goals. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Some people were simply born to teach and are naturally good at it. But just to be safe, look for a tutor that has at least 2-3 years of experience and an internationally recognised teaching certificate (TEFL, CELTA, TESOL). That will definitely save you some time and money.
- Shared interests or backgrounds
Mastering a foreign language is a pretty long process that requires regular lessons. It will be a lot easier to commit to a lengthy English course, if you have something in common with your teacher. It could be anything: a shared hobby, similar taste in music, a professional background in the same field. Just make sure you find it interesting! That way it will be a lot easier for you to stay motivated and to continue studying with your teacher.
Another thing to consider, especially if you're dealing with a native speaker, is whether you are interested in their culture and mentality. Make sure you choose someone from a country that's on your dream destination list – that will definitely make your lessons more exciting!
- Flexible approach
Everyone is different and what works best for your friend or colleague may be completely ineffective for you. A teacher who understands that will surely make the whole learning process easy and enjoyable. However, this may be hard to figure out on your first lesson. Try to pay attention to how your tutor explains things that are a bit tough for you to understand. Is he coming up with new ways to describe complicated rules or is he just repeating himself? Is he providing various examples to make sure everything is clear to you? Is he asking you questions about your previous learning experiences, so he can tailor the lesson plans to you? If he's simply following a single textbook, then you're probably wasting your time with the wrong teacher.
- Similar temperament
Have you had teachers before that were professional and well-qualified, but their lessons somehow felt boring or exhausting? That may be due to differences in your temperaments. It happens. It doesn't mean that one of you is bad or wrong. It just means that you two aren't a good match. That's why in addition to having some common topics to discuss, it's also good to have a teacher that matches your level of energy and emotionality. That way he'll be more likely to find the right teaching style for you.
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