Private Tutors In Malaysia: How To Find The Best In 5 Simple Steps

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As a student, it’s not uncommon to find yourself lost in a haze of grammar rules, math formulas, and scientific theories. When they find that they need to act quickly to avoid falling behind in class, they turn to private tutors in Malaysia. 

Following a difficult period of online learning and lockdowns disrupting teaching schedules and examinations, private tutors have come to the rescue. While studies have shown that private tutors are effective, this depends entirely on the tutor’s teaching style and whether they are a good fit for the student. 

If you’re a parent planning on hiring a private tutor, here are our top tips on how to find the right one.

Ask Other Parents/Students About Private Tutors in Malaysia

Students will spend a fair bit of time working very closely with a private tutor. That’s why it’s essential to get references from people around you that you trust. 

Start with your network as these are the people that are likely to be completely honest with you about a tutor’s teaching style and effectiveness. Their insights will give you real context when selecting a private tutor in Malaysia; far better than anything you’ll find in a brochure. 

It helps to spend a few minutes reaching out to other parents and students – they’ll send you in the right direction. 

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Ask Malaysian Private Tutors About Their Experience & Qualifications

It’s a good idea to treat your search for a private tutor like an actual hiring process. You want to take into consideration a tutor’s experience and qualifications before your child begins working with them. 

Ask them which school or university they attended, their teaching experience, and any other qualifications they have. Also, ask them about their areas of expertise. 

For example, if you’re looking for an English private tutor to help with writing, ask them what their experience is with helping students improve their English essay skills. 

Although qualifications and experience won’t always guarantee a good tutor, it is still an important element to bear in mind when hiring a private tutor in Malaysia. 

Decide Between Online Or Face-To-Face Classes 

The next important consideration begins with a student’s preferred style of learning – online or in person. 

With online tutoring, a key benefit is that classes can be held anywhere given the student has access to a device and WiFi. This will help parents save on the cost and time consumed by travelling. Beyond this, online classes can sometimes reduce tuition rates as the cost of the private tutor’s travel expenses (in our infamous Malaysian traffic!) will not be factored into their hourly rate.

On the flip side, some students and parents know that online learning just won’t work. This is because learning online can open the floodgates to a whole sea of distractions, from social media to online games. Occasionally, tutors are also unable to actively engage students over a screen and are better equipped to deliver their lessons in person. However, this easily remedied by watching a tutor in action before signing up.

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Ask About Progress Reports 

Progress reports are common school practice, but less common with private tutors in Malaysia. Once you’ve narrowed down your private tutor, you should ask them how they will communicate and share student progress.  

It is important to ensure your private tutor is aware that they should provide a progress report at least once a month. This way, a student (and their parents) can understand if they are improving in a given subject and if adjustments are necessary. 

For example, GuruLab’s online platform offers data analytics of every student’s work. This detailed insight into student progress allows English private tutors to offer targeted strategies such as customising practice questions and recommending suitable study materials.

Check The Chemistry Between Your Child And Their Malaysian Private Tutor

Much like any other relationship, chemistry is key. It would be difficult for a student to benefit from spending time every week with someone they don’t feel comfortable with. While you could wait to get a feel of the relationship over time, there are other steps you could take to avoid wasting time and money. 

First, you could ask for a trial lesson to understand if the private tutor is the right fit. Another option is to seek out agencies when choosing a private tutor in Malaysia. These larger centres will be able to provide valuable information on the tutor’s experience and their teaching style, to help you understand if a tutor is the right fit. 

It’s also important to ask your child what they feel works best for them in terms of tutoring. Follow up with them after a few lessons to help understand if the private tutor is the best fit.