When it comes to learning a foreign language, the only option better than private tutoring would be to move to a country where that language is officially spoken. But in the sea of people offering private tuition in foreign languages, it can be very tricky to find a good private tutor.
Here are our top 5 tips for choosing a language tutor
1. Make sure they are good at explaining grammar and have vast vocabulary
Many people think they can tutor a language just because they know it. However, being able to speak a language does not immediately translate into being qualified to teach it. Whether you’re looking for official lessons or want to learn only through contact with the language, you should always feel free to ask questions about why something is or isn’t correct – and your tutor should know the answer. When choosing a private tutor for a language you’ve only recently started specifically look for the ones good at explaining grammar. On the other hand, if you are working on language in which you’re already close to proficiency, better to give preference to tutors who can tell you the fine difference between two synonyms.
2. Their knowledge of your native language
Single-language classes are great. If you have a good command of the language, working with someone who does not know your native language can be very rewarding. It will stop you from switching between languages, thus making you more confident in your language skills. This is the closest simulation of learning a language by living in a foreign country. However, it should be said that working only in a foreign language can be very frustrating for adult beginners. After a certain age, we don’t just enjoy learning, but we also need to make sense of the world. It helps if our tutor can answer our question and help us make connections between our native language and the foreign one. So, while the sooner you can switch to single-language classes, the better, it is also ok if you need a stepping stone.
3. It’s good to have things in common
Arguably more than in any other subject, when it comes to learning a language, it is important that you and your tutor click. Chatting about generic topics will only lead you so far. You two should either have common interests or the right energy to debate on your different opinions. This can rarely be detected prior to scheduling the first class, so feel free to schedule a couple of introductory lessons. It is quite similar to going on a first date, it might work but it might not. Every following introductory class you can tell your tutor what topics you’ve already started/covered, so that you don’t waste your money. When you approach it in this way, there is far more to gain than lose.
4. Materials used
In order to feel confident with your language skills, it is better to also work with real-life materials rather than only with textbooks. While the textbooks are a great help with grammar, they leave much to be desired when it comes to vocabulary. Try to get a tutor who works with news clips, blog texts, and other authentic sources. Of course, at the lower levels, the language will have to be somewhat edited for you to understand. But the important part is to keep you interested and give you the real-feel of the language.
5. Make sure your tutor is willing to give you homework – and to correct it
For studying any language homework is essential. It is very important to use the language every day and unless you have daily classes, exercises to do at home are the answer. You can find the exercises yourself, but a tutor can give you the right ones for your level and lead you towards harder tasks every time. It is also very important that your homework gets corrected and your mistakes discussed, so you wouldn’t repeat them. This might sound like the worst part of the list, but with a good tutor you’ll have fun exercises, and less and less mistakes every time.
These five tips should help you find the right private tutor, but even with them, it can take time. Do not get disillusioned if the first couple of tutors don’t work out for you. Just try to keep in contact with the language the entire time, whether an app-course or a TV series. Good luck!
