If your search for English tutors is underway, Varsity Tutors is the only resource you need to find a qualified instructor. English classes teach fundamental skills that students need not only at all grade levels, but also in other courses. You cannot answer a word problem if you lack the reading comprehension skills to understand it, nor can you compose an effective essay in history without an extensive knowledge of English language mechanics. As such, investing in an English tutor is like investing in a private instructor for aspects of every major subject at once.
What topics can English tutors help me or my student review?
Most English classes cover the following content areas: reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, writing, and critical thinking. Reading comprehension is a broad topic in its own right, ranging from learning how to read in elementary school to analyzing literary plots and evaluating arguments at the high school level and beyond. Reading begins by learning which sounds letters can make, so your student's instructor may review the fundamentals of phonics with them to get started.
Older students may focus on active reading techniques to help them remember more of what they read. For example, taking notes as you go along forces your brain to actively engage with the material, making it easier to remember details later on. You can also jot down anything that doesn't make sense to you so that you remember to ask about it later. If your student isn't already in the habit of doing these things, their instructor can encourage them to start doing so.
Active reading may allow your student to better understand literature as well. For instance, a student who doesn't understand a novel's basic plot is unlikely to get much out of reading it. As you advance, you can start trying to put yourself in a character's shoes to better understand their motivations. Why do Romeo and Juliet take the actions they do at the conclusion of Shakespeare's famous play? What are the implications of having a first-person narrator who doubles as a character?
The basics of English grammar may seem easy enough to adults, but irregular verb conjugations, tense differences, and even distinguishing between the subject and the predicate of a sentence can seem overwhelming to a young student. There are also a lot of grammar rules that even adults don't know, such as there vs. they're vs. their and when to use "it's" vs. "its." Your student might work with flashcards to help them remember all of the rules. A professional English tutor might also stress incorrect words and phrases out loud to help them stand out in a student's mind.
While there are general spelling rules (such as "i before e except after c"), the sheer number of silent letters and unconventional words in the English language make this an area requiring rote memorization. Flashcards can again prove beneficial, and your student's instructor can also teach them mnemonic devices to remember some of the tougher words.
Nobody knows every word in the English language, making vocabulary a topic at all levels of English instruction. If you or your student are having a hard time learning how to use new words, you might consider studying common word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to give you insight into what a word means. For example, "phobia" means a fear of something. "Arachnid" means spider, so "arachnophobia" means fear of spiders. If your student is too young to start working with word roots just yet, flashcards are once again a useful tool to help them master the words on their vocab list.
Writing is among the most important skills that a student will ever learn. It's important for self-expression, creativity, effective workplace communication, and test essays in virtually every common academic subject. If you or your student feel overwhelmed by writing assignments, your English tutor might show you how to outline your work beforehand to make them seem more approachable. Your instructor can also act as an editor for your piece, giving it a close before you submit it to help eliminate any mistakes. They can also provide constructive criticism as necessary to help you improve moving forward.
Writing also serves as a comprehensive test of sorts for a variety of other English skills. For example, consistent grammar mistakes will hurt your clarity of expression, making it more difficult for readers to follow what you're trying to say. Similarly, a limited vocabulary can produce a repetitive piece that readers lose interest in. Therefore, your writing may reveal topics and concepts that you or your student are yet to fully master.
Critical thinking deals with what you can do with the information presented to you. If you encounter an unfamiliar word in a reading passage, the general tone of the passage may help you deduce what it means. Similarly, many English tests ask students to draw inferences based on what they've read, gleaning more information than is directly stated. Both of these topics are a little bit more abstract than memorizing grammar rules, and practice is often the best way to get the hang of it. If you or your student are behind your peers in this area, you might answer practice questions during your English tutoring sessions until you feel more comfortable.
Older students are also asked to critique arguments, detailing how an author uses vocabulary, style, and evidence in order to make their point. They're also expected to incorporate these techniques into their own writing to make their point stand out. For example, alliteration (or repeating the same sound in consecutive words) tends to draw attention to that portion of a piece, so writers should try to use it to highlight key points. Similarly, poignant satire can help your piece garner interest. For instance, Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal sought to call out wealth inequality in England by suggesting (in jest) that nobles pay peasants for the privilege of eating their babies. The work is among the most famous pieces of satire of all time because of how well Swift accomplished what he set out to do.
Can English tutors help me or my student prepare for a standardized exam?
Federal Common Core standards mandate that all public school students in the United States take an English test each year from grades 3-8 to measure whether they are reading at a grade-appropriate level. Students are also assessed in Writing in grades 4 and 7, and most states require English standardized tests during a student's high school years as well. National tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT also have sections concentrating on English skills. If your student is studying for any of these exams, you might consider taking a practice test during your English tutoring sessions to develop a familiarity with the specific exam you're preparing for.
If you or your student deals with test anxiety, understanding the exam's formatting can make it easier to settle your nerves. If you're still feeling apprehensive, your instructor can demonstrate mental relaxation techniques to help you concentrate on test day.
Your practice test can also reveal your academic strengths and any areas of opportunity for improvement, helping your instructor figure out exactly what you need help with. Unlike a traditional classroom setting, English tutoring sessions can be designed with your needs in mind. You can study a topic until you are ready to move on, without regard for some pre-set curriculum. If you're starting to get bored, your instructor can also introduce more advanced material to keep you engaged in the learning process.
Similarly, an English tutor can design sessions around your preferred learning style to enhance your study efficiency. For example, a kinesthetic learner might play a hands-on game to help them understand grammar rules, while an auditory learner would get more out of a lecture-based format.
Your study sessions also take place in a one-on-one learning environment, ensuring that any questions you have can be answered in a timely manner. Likewise, all of your completed work can be returned to you promptly, allowing you to correct any mistakes while the material remains fresh in your mind.
Why is Varsity Tutors the right choice for me?
Trying to find your own instructor is a hassle, as you need to independently verify a candidate's credentials, make sure they know how to share information with students, and ensure that your schedules match up. At Varsity Tutors, we take all of the hassle out of the equation. We'll refer you to a qualified instructor who meets your specifications within 24 hours, allowing you to spend your time actually studying instead of preparing to do so.
We also offer an exclusive Live Learning Platform that facilitates digital study sessions, giving you or your student the benefits of face-to-face instruction without the logistical headache of a commute. Powerful features such as a virtual whiteboard and video chat functionality ensure a top quality study experience, so what are you waiting for? Contact Varsity Tutors today for more information on how we can connect you with knowledgeable English tutors!
