Knowing English is advantageous, especially because it’s one of the most spoken languages in the world. It opens you up to many opportunities, both in personal and professional aspects of life.
Learning the language starts with finding the right freelance English tutor or teacher–but how do you find the best person to help you reach fluency? When hiring a tutor for the English language, it’s important to consider factors like education, experience, and expertise, but what’s equally important is to select someone who’s most compatible with your learning style.
Factors to Consider in an English Tutor
To find the most ideal English tutor for you, evaluate the following considerations:
Education Credentials
While it’s not necessary to hire an English tutor with robust education credentials, it’s definitely advantageous if they have them. Teachers who’ve taken education units or courses will be more trained to handle the task and navigate through the teaching setting, which could be especially helpful if you like learning in a more traditional way (i.e. like how you did in school).
Teaching Experience
An English tutor who has strong teaching experience will do better in customizing lessons and adjusting courses based on their student’s needs and preferences. They’ll also have more input on how to deal with any issues that you may encounter during your learning journey.
Subject Expertise
To learn English properly, you’ll have to have a strong foundation of the basics, and this requires help from someone who has great expertise in the English language. Find a tutor who can teach you everything from grammar to vocabulary.
Teaching Style
Students learn differently. Some prefer a more textbook approach, while others thrive in more casual settings. Figure out your learning style and make sure that it matches the way your tutor teaches to ensure that the lessons stick.
Platform Choice
Online English tutors use a variety of tech and platforms to carry out their lessons, and these factors can affect how you learn. Choose a teacher that uses tools that you’re familiar with or are comfortable using.
Budget
How much do English tutors charge per hour? It varies significantly; some tutors charge as low as $15 an hour, while others can go over $80 an hour. But on average, the price range falls between $20 to $30 per hour.
Availability and Scheduling Methods
With online tutoring, taking language classes has become extremely convenient. You can schedule classes depending on your preferred time. That said, with teachers coming from all over the world, time zones can get tricky, so choose an English tutor who matches your availability.
Tips for Hiring the Right English Tutor
If you need help narrowing down your choices, here are some tips to remember:
Prioritize Your Goals
Think about your purpose for learning the English language. Is it for work? Is it to migrate? Is it to pass an exam? Anchor your search on your goals and find someone who fits your criteria as being the most suitable option to achieve those.
Test Compatibility
Even the most qualified teacher might not be the most effective for you if you’re not compatible with them. Opt for someone who jives with you—a teacher who makes you comfortable and motivates you to learn. Before you hire someone for the long term, take test lessons or get a short-term package. That way, you can test the waters before you sign on for more classes.
Be Communicative
Be open about what you want out of your learning journey as this will help your prospective English tutor tailor their lessons better for you.
Consider Your Budget
English tutors come in a range of prices. Think about how much you’re willing to spend on your lessons and start your search by filtering your options to those who fit these limits. Don’t worry if your budget is tight–there are plenty of teachers who can deliver high-quality courses at affordable rates!
Think About Accents
In most cases, you likely want to be taught by an English teacher who has a neutral accent (or someone who matches the accent for the context in which you’ll eventually practice the language) as this can rub off on how you speak later on.
Hire the Best Tutor for the English Language on Guru
You can find some of the best tutors for the English language on Guru, a top online freelance marketplace. Here, hundreds of professional freelance English teachers can help you bring your language level up and reach fluency through effective personalized lessons. Hire the right English language tutor for you on Guru today!
