IB tutors who are, or were once, teachers are widely sought after for tutoring assignments. In general, they are more popular than fresh IB graduates.
Having taught in both Singapore and international IB schools, their years of teaching experience is commonly viewed as an invaluable asset. But, that’s not all. Here are some other reasons why teachers are popular choices when selecting an IB tutor.
Pros of engaging an IB tutor with teaching experience
Teaching the subject, IB curriculum and its philosophy is not new to them
The demand for these tutors is partially due to their teaching qualifications and first-hand experience as IB educators in schools, both locally and globally.
This gives them an advantage over most tutors, even those who are MOE-certified. While both tutors are undoubtedly knowledgeable in the subject they teach, only one is familiar with the IB philosophy.
To teach in an IB school in Singapore and globally, teachers undergo rigorous training. This training exposes and familiarises them with the IB philosophy, methodology, and curriculum- all important components to be an effective instructor of the IB curriculum.
Tutors are able to create supplementary IB resources and materials for students
A benefit of having a tutor that is currently teaching in an IB school is the access they have to supplementary notes and lesson materials. This includes past exam papers, practice questions, even annotated solutions and answer guides.
In the event that the student requires more than what has been provided, most tutors would be able to put together additional resources. These enhances the student’s learning and mastery of the subject. This resourcefulness makes them excellent tutors for those who need more guidance.
Tutors who have taught in schools are more proficient with teaching group classes
In school, IB classes are rarely on a one-to-one basis. Classes can have anywhere from 15 to 20 students.
As the class size increases, several things, like class dynamics, may change. The class may become rowdier and hinder productive study, or quieter and harder to engage in fruitful discussions.
A competent teacher will have the experience to navigate both situations. So, tutors who have taught in schools would be well-equipped to teach group classes. This gives parents and students the flexibility to choose between the two tuition modes.
Suggested Article: Individual Tuition or Group Tuition: Which to Choose?
Unquestionably, there are a host of benefits in engaging an experienced teacher to work with your child. Still, here are some things you want to consider.
Cons of engaging an IB tutor with teaching experience
Teachers have busy schedules
IB tutors who are also full-time educators are extremely busy people. With school occupying most of their day, they do not have many free slots. This limits their availability and flexibility to take more classes.
This is more so as they approach key academic periods such as exams, IB mocks, and coursework submissions. At this time, most students will ramp up the frequency of their tuition sessions, even arranging for additional intensive preparatory courses.
But, these tutors are likely to also experience more requests for school consultations. This can make it difficult for tutors to commit to extra tutoring sessions during these periods.
Teachers may be slightly behind on the latest IB syllabus changes
The IB syllabus, like any other curriculum, is constantly changing.
Being teachers, they are likely first to know of these revisions. This gives many the impression that these tutors, who are also teachers, are therefore equipped to teach it.
This is partly correct. IB tutors who are also school educators are certainly informed earlier. However, this does not mean they are equipped to teach it.
Syllabus updates are not immediately pushed to every student in the IB diploma. Instead, it is implemented by assessment cohorts. Likewise, IB trains teachers to teach the new curriculum in batches. Teachers are more likely to be trained if they are teaching, or have taught, a cohort affected by said update.
An example of this is the 2020 IB Economics updates. According to the timeline presented by the International Baccalaureate, instruction of the new syllabus would begin in August 2020. The first assessment will be in May 2022.
As year 1 IB students in August 2020 are assessed according to the revised requirements in May 2022, their teachers must be trained for it. But, year 2 IB students in August 2020 remain unaffected for their assessment falls in May 2021. Thus, their teachers may not receive the appropriate training immediately.
Therefore, if an update was recently announced, there is a slight possibility that some teachers are unequipped to teach it.
IB tutors with more experience teaching in schools are expensive.
Typically, tutors would raise their fees as they accumulate more years of teaching experience.
At QE, the rates our IB tutors with teaching experience in IB schools charge can be anywhere between $800-$880 per month. With at least 5 years of instructing experience in local and international IB schools, our senior tutors are well-versed with the ins-and-outs of the IB curriculum, making them outstanding tutors for students working on their foundation and content mastery.
However, for some, the high rates these tutors command may not be within your budget range. If so, then they may not be too suitable for you.