In my time working as a tutor for young students, I have picked up on some useful strategies that make sessions more effective and enjoyable.

It might seem simple, but the foundation of effective teaching lies in truly understanding your students and their unique learning needs. Equally important is the level of respect you earn from them. The relationship between a tutor and their student plays a crucial role in shaping the learning experience. I always make it a priority to get to know my students from day one, engaging with their interests and taking the time to understand what inspires and challenges them, in order to figure how they can work best. I find that this strategy is often overlooked and can be ignored after the first 15 minutes of a session, but it can really make a significant difference.

It’s also essential for students to engage with the right vocabulary regularly. Helping them become accustomed to the language fosters positive habits and boosts their confidence when tackling new ideas. When students have the words they need, they can express their thoughts and articulate their ideas with assurance.

Another effective approach, that I believe is even more important with younger learners in particular, is to recognise and celebrate the effort they put into their tasks, regardless of the outcomes. If a student has put in a lot of effort to complete a task, positive reinforcement can go a long way to motivate them. Helping students connect their hard work to acknowledgement is a crucial step in nurturing an active learning environment. While encouraging more effort is vital, it’s equally important to provide them with motivation to keep trying. Praise and recognition are powerful motivators that students already appreciate; so by adjusting their focus from simply being correct to putting in their best effort can be so beneficial.

Gemma Vinciguerra