All About Market Rates of Private Tutors

[linfangjun]

Can anyone PM me recommendation for Sec 1 normal Chinese? Pls do not contact me if you are a tuition centre. Area : Sengkang, Hougang or Punggol is fine.

Maybe you can check out this tutor directory (http://www.tutorconnekt.com/tutor-directory/)
it's not an agency. you can contact the tutors directly because all contact info is disclosed.

[jojoberry]

hello Kiasu Parents,

Can you please offer your insights into the following? This will benefit DD who is starting with S1 soon.

1. Should I seek a single tutor for all sciences or different tutor for physics, chemistry, biology? Having 1 tutor is of course better (less headache) but given so much complexity in subjects, is it reasonable to find a single tutor?

2. Are small group tutions really comparable to private lessons? Cost is much less, but what about quality and responsiveness?

Karen

From my experience, the transition for students from P6 to S1 differs from person to person. The PSLE is a very "maturing" exercise for a lot of students. Independant students may be able to cope quite well with S1 and don't need tuition anymore till maybe S3. So I concur with the majority to wait and see before you consider a tutor. They are busy enough in school with a myriad of activities, don't need to squeeze in extra lessons if they don't need?!

Depending on why you need tuition for your child, you have to choose differently. If your DC does not speak up in class, better to go for 1-1 lessons. If you just want exposure for DC, small group has the advantage of interaction with other students and group discussions which can be enriching (or disruptive) - depends on DC's learning style.

[jojoberry]

$55/hr for a sec 3 E maths tutor, is it considered high?

Track record? Experience?

[jojoberry]

Hi,
1. What is the going rate for a geography/history private tuition (1-1) for lower sec?
2. Should I seek a dedicated tutor for each subject, or a single tutor can do the job?
3. What is the optimum lesson frequency, etc? (1 session of 1.5 hr a week, etc).
Thanks,
Kiasu Karen

In my opinion, you don't have to get a tutor for each subject. Does your child really have time for that?

For geography and history, it is a matter of understanding, consistency in revision as well as answering techniques. So I will say that studying skills and answering techniques are more important than engaging a tutor at this point. Your child will need to learn to be more independant in understanding what needs to be provided depending on the questions. Most students don't do well not because they don't have the answer but because they are NOT ABLE to PRESENT their answers clearly. Or, they didn't understand what the question is asking for.

Obviously your DC has to make efforts to memorise certain facts and get exposure to the type of questions that will be asked - there are many guide books that can help.

Find guidebooks that has notes in a structured manner, and also includes a comprehensive list of questions with answer guide. I think 1 each is enough (but I had students who had like 4 or 5....seriously if they are not hardworking they can't get through all of it)

I don't teach the above subjects - I just help out occasionally with providing guidance on the studying skills and answering techniques when the parents ask for help. Like a coach.

In any case since you wanted to know - I had a student whose Humanities tutor charged $75/hr. I'm sure there are tutors who charge less.

[Rejoin]

There is no such thing as a "market" rate. Tuition agencies are merely attempting to manipulate the rate.

[zbear]

Pls elaborate what you mean by "there is no such thing as market rate".

[jojoberry]

I disagree with rejoin. Market rate is set by the market (consumers). Willing buyer willing seller of services in this case. Of course there is a going rate for majority of the market.

If one has a low budget and is able to find a tutor willing to accept, why not? If one has no budget and is willing to pay higher than most rates, again, why not? For anyone who has a budget of course they don't want to pay more than they can or is willing to.

I don't think agencies are trying to manipulate the rates, I think they are simply providing a baseline which you can or don't follow. after all they should know the budget of most parents.

I have always charged higher than the agency rates and parents have no issue with it. If they do, thy don't engage me, easy as that.

[janet88]

if the tutor is able to help the child and deserves the amount, i am willing to pay (provided it is not sky high).

[chan_78]

I was sourcing for private tutors and came to realise that $50 per hour is a norm for any tutor who is not a trained teacher. An undergrad or sahm also charges $50 per hour. If it's for secondary school tuition, that's the lowest I ever enquired for one-to-one. I have called tutors who charge $85 per hour for one-to-two and $80 for one session of 1.5h for a group of 15. And it seems they are not unique in their charges. I also know of at least one primary school tutor who charges $55 per hour for a group of 12, so I thought your sahm tutor charges cheaply, in all honesty. You are just used to the fact that she charged cheaply, so when she increases her fee on seeing that she has been effective in teaching your kid, you can't accept it.

I don't see it as an exploitation. She offered you a price. If you don't think it's justified, you are free to walk away. If your kid needs her, then it's up to you to decide if she's worth the price.

This is sooooo expensive!!! Wont pay so much to this type highway robber tuition teachers! Pay so much and class size 15 students? The tutor rolling in money and how is it possible teach so big group well?
My P6 boy boy math tuition at nicklebee tutor with teacher zhou only $110 for every 2 hour group tuition and each 1 class have 4 children only. And we very happy with tuition teachings he provide and very worth it!!

[sleepy]

My P6 boy boy math tuition at nicklebee tutor with teacher zhou only $110 for every 2 hour group tuition and each 1 class have 4 children only.

Just to clarify, $440 per month for group of 4?

Wah, isn't that like super duper expensive