Parents of students who have been tutored one to one by experienced, qualified tutors consistently report tangible benefits for their children. This article examines these benefits in detail, based on research and feedback from key stakeholders in tuition. Group and classroom-based tuition can, of course, also be of benefit to students, but it is a challenge to identify which group instructional methods consistently and effectively match the effectiveness of one-to-one tuition.
Here, we examine in detail these benefits and how they might translate far beyond initial expectations.
Key Findings of Research
Tutoring is extraordinarily powerful for children who can access it:
o On average, tutored students performed better in assessments, exams and homework than their non tutored peers.
o Tutoring does not just improve academics, but also results in improved attitudes, self-esteem, and exam technique.
Tutoring is more powerful than classroom-based learning, but it is the combination of the two which really works:
o Using formative assessments, feedback, and self-assessment does raise the average performance of a child, but not to the extent that one to one tutoring does.
o The combination of classroom-based learning and tutoring can have substantial effect on a child’s achievements, especially if tutors and teachers liaise.
The Long Term Effects of one-to-one Tutoring
There are four broad categories which students, schools and parents report result from one-to-one tuition:
A. Tuition improves students’ information processing skills
They learn key topics through revision and scaffolding;
They can relearn key skills before starting a higher-level course;
They can engage with a subject specialist;
They can improve their reading and independent study skills.
B. Tuition improves students’ own revision materials
They can organise their notebooks, use AI to support learning (with careful
direction from the tutor) and consolidate learning;
They can check their materials with the tutor and review them regularly.
C. Tuition helps to support the student’s home environment
Parents can support schoolwork through communication with the tutor;
Parents can have a clearer understanding of how their home environment can
function as a safe, supportive, studious space.
D. Regular communication between the tutor and teacher can improve
teaching practice
There will be increased student participation if they feel they are supported;
They will be able to give clearer explanations in class;
There is more consistent reinforcement;
When students demonstrate higher-order thinking to the class, the whole-
class attainment level is raised.
These results demonstrate that teachers can and do adopt tutoring-like behaviours to dramatically raise achievement levels, when they become aware a child is being tutored and have regular positive communication with the tutor.
Overall Conclusion
Alone or in combination, these are the results of effective one to one tuition:
- Mastery learning of key topics
- Enhancing student-led skills
- Cooperative learning between student, tutor and teacher
- Improved revision materials for the student
- Improved home environment support and understanding for the parent
- Improved teacher-student interaction patterns in the classroom
While no single method fully replicates tutoring, combinations, especially mastery learning of key topics with the tutor combined with improved teaching practice in the classroom, can produce achievement levels which far exceed expectations.
References
“The Search for Methods of Group Instruction as Effective as One-to-One
Tutoring” by Benjamin S. Bloom (1984)
“The benefits of tutoring: An exploration of expectancy and outcomes” by Stewart
Ehly, Timothy Z. Keith and Barry Bratton (1987)
“High-Impact Tutoring: State of the Research and Priorities for Future Learning” by
Carly D. Robinson & Susanna Loeb (2021)
