Today, one of my students had to cancel unexpectedly, which gave me some time to reflect on how much tutoring relies on communication rather than just knowledge. Over the past few weeks, I’ve started to notice that the most effective lessons are not always the ones where the most content is covered, but rather the ones where the student feels comfortable enough to actively participate and ask questions.
One thing I’ve been learning is the importance of adapting explanations depending on the student. Even when two students are learning the exact same topic, the way they understand information can be completely different. Some students respond well to visual explanations and diagrams, while others prefer verbal step-by-step reasoning or examples connected to real-life situations. I’ve found that being flexible with explanations is one of the most valuable skills a tutor can develop, because it allows the lesson to feel more personalised and engaging.
Another strategy that has been really effective is encouraging students to explain concepts back to me in their own words. Rather than simply asking if they understand, I’ll ask them to teach the idea back or summarise the process we just went through. This helps reveal whether they truly understand the topic or if they were only following along in the moment. It also gives students more confidence, because they realise they are capable of explaining difficult ideas themselves.
I’ve also noticed that students become much more motivated when they can recognise their own improvement. Even small achievements, like solving a question independently or making fewer mistakes than before, can significantly boost confidence. Acknowledging that progress helps students stay positive and willing to keep improving.
Overall, this reflection reminded me that tutoring is not just about delivering information. It’s about adapting to students, encouraging active thinking, and helping them recognise their own growth and capability as learners.

Katreen Diab