Tutoring often gets described as a way to “fill in the gaps” of classroom learning. While that’s true to an extent, it quickly becomes clear that effective tutoring is about far more than explaining content, but about shaping how students approach learning itself.

One key strategy I have found useful in tutoring is to shift queries from answer-giving to question-asking. Students might come to sessions hoping for quick solutions, but they benefit more from tutors guiding them to think critically and independently. Questions like why does this formula work? or how did you get that answer? encourage students to reflect on their work and find out the issues in their work on their own. In the long run, this builds resilience, develops their problem solving skills and gain deeper understanding, not just short-term fixes.

Another important element is making content relatable. Many of my younger students struggle with abstract material because they can’t connect it to their own experiences. Relating their questions to everyday examples like relating trigonometric ratios to buildings or financial maths questions to their everyday spending activities helps my students better understand the theory, and the questions interesting.

Building confidence is equally as important. Some of my students initially come to the session doubting their ability because they had difficulty with their homework/classwork. Small but consistent positive reinforcement like acknowledging effort, celebrating progress, or simply recognising improvement changes how a student sees themselves as a learner. I’ve noticed that when students begin to believe they are capable, their performance often follows.

Ultimately, tutoring is best understood as a process of empowerment. It is not just about raising grades or completing homework. It is about equipping students with strategies, confidence, and habits they can use in the session, at school and in the real world. Seeing students alter their perspective on difficult questions and attempt them on their own shows great success from empowerment.

In this way, tutoring becomes less about teaching and more about mentoring. It’s about helping students see that learning is not a fixed ability but a skill they can strengthen with the right encouragement.

Nicole Stamatelatos