While qualifications are great to have if you want to become a maths tutor, they´re not absolutely essential. What's more important is that you have experience with maths and that you have a true understanding of and passion for the subject, which you can transmit to your students through engaging maths lessons. If you want to teach maths for GCSE level, you should be well-versed in the GCSE maths curriculum and have access to resources that can help students at this level. If you want to teach maths to children, you should have a DBS check before you start.
Maths students looking for a tutor in Greater London
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
π§βπ Do I need a qualification to tutor maths?
π· How much should I charge for a private maths lesson?
The price you should charge for a private maths lesson depends on a number of factors. The average cost of a private maths class in the UK can range from £25 to £50. However, you should search for the average cost in your area and base your prices off this in order to be competitive, while also taking into account your qualifications and experience. If you´re based in a larger city like London, have formal qualifications in maths and teaching, or you have a lot of teaching experience under your belt, you might want to think about charging more for your classes.
πΊοΈ How do I find students for maths near me?
There are a number of ways for you to find maths students for private classes. First of all, you could advertise in local newspapers or newsletters, and you could connect with schools or tuition centres. However, one of the best ways to find maths students near you is by advertising online. There are many online platforms like FindTutors that allow maths tutors to connect with students. One of the key ways you can attract students is by writing an eye-catching advertisement. We explain how you can write a stand-out advertisement if you read on.
π How do I prepare for a private maths class?
Every maths class should ideally be catered to each student, so you should start by understanding the individual needs of your student and create your maths lesson content around this. Find out what your student's goals are, where they are struggling in maths and what their learning style is. So for example, if your student says that they´re a visual learner, it's a good idea to include visual aids in your lessons such as videos, or you can use a platform where you can demonstrate how you might solve a problem using diagrams and pictures.
While it´s great to be prepared for your maths classes, you should always be open and ready for any last minute changes. Perhaps your student has raised a new topic or problem they need to know for a test next week. That's why it's important to be adaptable and patient as a tutor for maths.
Helping students conquer maths as a private tutor in Greater London
Is it worthwhile becoming a maths tutor?
Becoming a maths tutor is definitely worthwhile no matter what your goals are. If you´re already working but want to make some extra income on the side, offering private maths classes is a great way to do so. You can set your own rates and times according to your own availability. Even becoming a full-time maths tutor is possible and you can live on this salary if you put in the effort. It should be noted that becoming a maths tutor does require effort in advertising yourself and finding students, but you can certainly reap the benefits from the work you put in.
How to create an advert that stands out as a maths tutor
One of the most important things you can do as a maths tutor is create a stand-out advertisement to attract students. Below we've shared some tips on how you can create the perfect ad:
- Ensure your advertisement is concise and easy to read. You can use bullet points to separate ideas so that potential students can quickly read through.
- Make sure your ad isn't too short or too long. Make sure you get all your relevant information across without writing paragraphs of information that students are likely to skip over.
- Show off your personality, experiences and qualifications. Make sure you make a note of your past tutoring experiences, what makes you qualified to tutor maths, and how you can help students conquer the subject.
- Ensure your advert is tailored to your target audience. If you want to target specifically GCSE maths students, make sure you outline how you´re qualified to help students of GCSE.
How to teach maths online
If you´re struggling to find students near you, or you have time or travel constraints, online maths tuition could be a great option for you. Maths classes online allow for greater flexibility and also gives you access to a wider pool of students all over the country.
If you want to start teaching maths lessons online, you should ensure you have access to the following:
- A laptop or computer with a webcam and microphone. You should ensure that all of your hardware is up-to-date and working correctly so that your students can see and hear you correctly.
- A strong internet connection. Before starting to give online maths classes, you should ensure that your internet is fast and reliable in order to avoid any issues in the middle of classes.
- A quiet area to carry out classes. You should find a calm and well-lit area in your home to ensure you don't have any distractions when teaching classes and so your students can see and hear you well.
- A platform to carry out classes. You could use platforms such as Google Meets or Zoom for your classes. It's a good idea to also use resources such as an online whiteboard where you can demonstrate equations or problems and share ideas with your students.
What you need to tutor GCSE maths students
While you don't necessarily need formal qualifications in order to tutor maths to GCSE students, there are a number of things you can have that will benefit you and your students.
- Make sure you´re well experienced in maths and that you have an understanding of and passion for the subject. If you have true enthusiasm for maths, it certainly shows in your classes, and you can transmit this enthusiasm to your students.
- Have a thorough understanding of GCSE maths and ensure you´re well-versed in the course content for each available curriculum. You should also have a comprehension of the marking schemes for each exam so you can teach and advise your students accordingly.
- Ensure you have resources appropriate for maths at GCSE level. These can be books, websites, maths problems or past papers. This makes it much easier for you to provide students with additional maths problems that they might not have encountered in school.
How to help your students prepare for their maths exams
If your students have maths exams coming up, there are a number of ways that you can help them.
- Help them create a study timetable. You can help your student breakdown the topics they need to know for the exam and set up a study schedule so they can cover all of the topics in ample time.
- Teach them techniques for managing time in the exam. You can go over exam papers with your students and show them techniques on how they can optimise the time they have in the exam. For example, it's a good idea to read through the exam before answering anything, then do the easier questions before moving on to the more difficult ones.
- Have sessions dedicated to doing past papers. You can dedicate some classes and use mock exam conditions so that your student can practise how they manage their time.
- Use positive reinforcement in your classes. Ensure you praise your student when you see improvements. This will increase their confidence in the subject and have them going into their maths exam feeling calm and prepared.