Every parent would want the best education for their children; they would look for the right educators and tutors who could provide quality teaching and resources for their children. It is then important for parents to know, what really makes a good tutor?
Chemistry is a subject that many students would have come across in their education journey. Be it O Level Chemistry, A Level Chemistry, IB Chemistry, or IGCSE courses, many students struggle with the subject. As a parent, looking for distinguished chemistry tuition in Singapore is essential to help your children ace the subject and obtain the best grades to enrol into a reputable education institution.
But what factors would you consider when choosing the right Chemistry tuition in Singapore? Read on for a checklist of factors that may help you make an informed and right decision in choosing the best Chemistry tuition in Singapore for your children.
What to look out for when choosing a Chemistry tutor in Singapore?
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Accolades
Firstly, it is important to ascertain the educational background of the tutor who is tutoring your child. Ensure that the tutor has relevant expertise and skills in both the subject Chemistry as well as in teaching.
Chemistry Degree or related courses
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There should be definite proof that the tutor has sufficient knowledge and a thorough understanding of the subject Chemistry. It could be in terms of a diploma or a certificate stating the degree acquired.
Confirming this gives you the assurance that your child will be in good hands and that the tutor has the right qualifications to impart accurate and precise knowledge and information to your child.
Teaching Degree
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Having a Chemistry degree may not mean that your tutor is adept in teaching. Teaching is a skill and an ability to effectively share and convey information and concepts to students. A good tutor not only possesses technical knowledge and hard skills, he should also have the required soft skills in tutoring. It would be a definite plus if the tutor has training certifications, such as undergoing NIE Teacher Training Programmes or obtaining a Diploma in Education.
Postgraduate Degree
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Having total mastery of the profession will also help in building trust towards the tutor. A tutor who is able to boast of a postgraduate degree is able to solidify his knowledge and accomplishments in the field. You can be sure that you would be entrusting your children to learn from someone who knows a holistic approach to education.
Training & Workshops
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Learning is a lifelong journey – joining training and workshops refreshes the knowledge and skills of a tutor. Consistent attendance to training and workshops exercises the mind of the tutor. This can be considered as a maintenance to his knowledge of the field and at the same time a chance to discover updates and latest innovations in the subject.
Experience
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As they say – “Experience is the best teacher”. When a tutor has taught for many years, you can be sure that the tutor has gained much experience with the relevant strategies, mechanisms, knowledge, and skills needed to excel in the subject.
Particularly, a definite bonus to a tutor’s experience would be the tutor’s expansive knowledge of SEAB marking schemes and examination answering techniques. Moreover, for IB Chemistry, look for good tutors who are well-versed in research methodologies, as they would then be able to effectively mentor extended essays (EE) and internal assessment (IA).
Length of Time Spent
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The longer the work experience, the better. Primarily, the period of presence in the industry serves as the basis of determining the reputation and expertise of a particular service provider, such as tutoring. Therefore, it is much more advisable to select a chemistry teacher with the longest time of experience.
Institution and the Working Environment
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The institution where the tutor spent years of experience also gives an idea of professional and personal development. A tutor who came from a prestigious institution must have acquired the values they uphold. The tutor is already trained to implement the standards for quality learning. If this is so, you will have nothing to worry about your child’s learning progress.
Passing & Distinction Rates
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Most importantly, as the focus is placed on results, the tutor’s capability is attested by high passing rates (>85%) rather than simply looking at their credentials. The quality of Chemistry tuition is further guaranteed by the high distinction rate too. Distinction rates as high as 90% have been achieved by small classes as the tutor is able to effectively monitor and attend to each student. The interactive environment in classes with a maximum of 10 students has proven to be extremely conducive to the mastery and application of concepts, thus allowing for a higher distinction rate.
Practice Papers
What are practice papers?
Exam papers or practice papers are mock versions of an exam that are given to students before they sit for the actual exam. They not only help students revise and consolidate their understanding of the concepts covered in class, but also help parents assess their child’s understanding of the subject. This is also especially useful for parents who are not familiar with the syllabus or who may not have a strong background in Chemistry. Exam papers provide a way for parents to gauge their child’s progress and identify any areas that need more attention.
Why are exam papers or practice papers important in Chemistry tuition?
Exam papers are an important tool for Chemistry tuition teachers. They allow teachers to measure how well their students are understanding the concepts taught in class. Exam papers also help to identify any gaps in the students’ knowledge and understanding, which the teacher can address in future lessons. Additionally, exam papers can be a useful tool in familiarising students with the style of answering questions in exams. By practising answering exam questions, students can learn how to approach exam questions and understand the marking scheme. This will help them score better in exams.
What makes an effective practice paper for Chemistry tuition students in Singapore?
In general, an effective exam paper can help students in the following ways:
– Providing a realistic expectation of what is required in the exams
– Letting students know the types of questions that will be asked
– Helping students to practise answering exam questions under timed conditions
For Chemistry tuition Singapore, exam papers are particularly important. They can help to familiarise students with the layout and structure of the Chemistry examination. As most of the questions in the exams are drawn from past papers, it is important for students to familiarise themselves with these so that they will not be caught off guard come exam time.
Timing & Frequency
If you are the parent of a secondary school Chemistry student, you may be wondering how often your child should attend Chemistry tuition. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the suitable frequency for each student varies. However, we can provide some general guidelines to help you make the best decision for your child. Keep reading to learn more!
Why is frequent Chemistry tuition important?
The benefits of more frequent Chemistry tuition are clear. With consistent help, your child will be able to better understand the concepts being taught in class. Additionally, by providing more frequent reinforcement, you can help your child develop a strong foundation in Chemistry that will serve them well as they continue their studies. On top of it all, more frequent sessions will refresh your child’s mind on Chemistry topics and build long-term retention of concepts.
Factors to consider for Chemistry tuition frequency
Frequency of learning sessions are advantageous. However, too many sessions can cause burnout for your child. When it comes to deciding how often your child should engage in Chemistry tuition, there are a few things to consider.
1. The student’s level of understanding.
If they are struggling with the material, they will need more frequent tutoring in order to keep up. A good rule of thumb is to tutor a child once a week for each subject they are taking in school. This allows enough time for the tutor to assess the student’s progress and give them the appropriate help. Tutoring every other week might be enough for students who have a good grasp of the material, but want to get ahead.
2. Frequency also depends on the tutor’s availability and your budget.
Some parents prefer to have their child meet with the tutor more often, but that might not be feasible for everyone. The most important thing is that your child gets the help they need so they can succeed in Chemistry class! More frequent classes means more time for the tutor to attend to your child. Thus, it will require additional compensation.
3. The time period or season
The time period when the tutoring begins may also influence the frequency. At the beginning of the school year, the meetings can be more spaced out than when end of year exams are around the corner. At this time, the number of lessons per week can increase.
How long should the tutoring program last to be effective?
The short answer is that it depends. Different students will require different levels of assistance and tutoring in order to see results. Some students might only need a few sessions in order to understand the material, while others might require more extended help. It’s important to find a Chemistry tutoring program that fits your needs so that you can be sure that your child is getting the most out of their sessions.
What is the right frequency of Chemistry tuition for students aged 13-16?
According to experts, students should receive tutoring sessions at least once a week in order to see the best results. This allows for enough time between sessions for the student to practice and solidify the concepts covered in the previous session. For students aged 13-16, shorter sessions (~1 hour 30 minutes) are generally most effective, as they are able to focus better and retain more information this way. Of course, this can vary depending on each student’s unique needs and abilities. Therefore, it’s always best to speak with a tutor to determine the best frequency and timing for your child.
How long each Chemistry tuition session should be at each level?
Session lengths will vary depending on the student’s level of understanding and ability to retain information. In general, we recommend that a student at Secondary level have 1.5-hour sessions, while those at Junior College level have 2-hour sessions.
Conclusion
Parents want the best for their children, and this often includes finding the right Chemistry tuition center in Singapore to help their children achieve success in school. What many parents don’t realize, however, is that the frequency and timing of the Chemistry tuition can be just as important as the center itself. With our help, we will provide you and your child the proper guidance to help them reach their utmost potential. Worry not about how often your child’s sessions should be, as we will be the ones to weigh the appropriate factors and determine what is best for them. Enhance your child’s learning experience with us today via email through dion.khoo@nexusconsultancy.org or call us at (65) 9616 1651!