What is the difference between a teacher and a tutor?

Most people will be familiar with teachers from their school days. High school teachers generally lead a class of students through the curriculum of a specific subject over a set period of time.  A teacher has many roles; including the planning and delivery of lessons to a group of students, maintaining class discipline and updating students’ records with their grades. 

The teacher will have to find a pace that most class members will be able to handle. This usually means delivery must be targeted at the pace of students with average ability in the class. Unfortunately, there is little time for one to one teaching and some students will struggle to keep up. Occasionally, due to their frustrations, some students will become disruptive in class. Also, the brightest students can become bored as the tempo is too slow for them.

There can be a delay in realising that a student is struggling until homework is handed in for marking or tests are set. In a classroom, a student has the ability to hide in the background if they are struggling. They may not ask for help and stay as quiet as possible. 

In comparison, a tutor provides one to one tuition which focuses on the specific needs of the student rather than a wider group. The tutor can find the right pace for the student and take into account their particular learning style. There is immediacy and constant feedback throughout a session. One to one tuition should instil confidence in the student as they realise that they are capable of learning a subject. This should help them to develop their academic skills which can be transferred to other subjects.

Overall, teachers and tutors have an important role to play in a student’s development and ability to achieve their academic goals. We believe that tutoring is supplementary to the learning that takes place in school. The teacher helps to develop the core knowledge and learning skills of the whole class. A tutor can then spend sufficient one to one time with the student, building on the key concepts taught in class as well as focusing on the areas that a student is struggling to understand. 

By working with a student throughout the academic year a tutor can address difficulties as they arise and without delay so that the student becomes more confident and is better prepared for exams at the end of the year. 

If you think a tutor could help your situation, please call Bespoke Tuition on 346310 or complete the contact form.