The schooling system in South Africa is under-resourced and over burdened. The average school, to a certain degree, expects every single student to read exactly the same book, get exactly the same lesson and then pass exactly the same test. How can they expect this when they are very aware that all the learners have different needs.

The schooling system does have policies in order to deal with the different needs of learners and they call this: general inclusive assessment strategies

Assessment methods (tests, exams and assignments) should be able to be adapted to suit the learners needs, without the effect that assessments lack in integrity. Learners who struggle with reading and/or writing, could have tests read to them and then provide verbal answers to questions. For learners who work slower, more time should be provided when writing tests. For learners who have not succeeded upon a first attempt, they should be provided with more attempts to try to pass tests. The place of assessment can be changed to an environment in which the learner can achieve needed outcomes. Assessments can also be made more practical in nature, allowing the student to provide alternative means of displaying competence.

Activities done for assessment can be adapted to suit the needs of a learner, while still achieving the required outcomes. Learners can be given certain guidelines, and instructions, in order to complete tasks. Tasks can be split into sections where learners work for shorter periods of time. Incorporating assessments that cater for the different learning styles should also be tried. Different learning styles can be incorporated by providing learning material, or assessments, in different formats; verbal, kinesthetic, visual and so forth. The student should be able to be given the resources needed to ensure that they achieve the outcomes required.

Most schools just simply do not have the time or resources to ensure this is done. That is where Tutors can come in to help. Tutors in Pretoria offer the much needed lesson support to learners in order to achieve the needed outcomes. We as tutors are well aware of the above schooling systems “inclusive assessment strategies” and we can help identify and support the needs of learners. We strive to help all students who are being left behind, and we are here to support the needs of learners as well as to support the struggling schooling systems in Pretoria.

The Philosophy of good tutoring

Element 1: Differentiated instruction methods
A tutor should consider all the different students, and the different ways in which they would understand a lesson. The actual methods used to deliver the lesson should involve multiple methods which cover the same concepts in the lesson. That means If I was trying to explain a difficult concept, I would apply 2 or 3 different methods when explaining the concept. This is to ensure that as many different learners as possible will understand at least one of the methods I have used for that specific concept in that specific lesson.

Element 2: Consider the language levels and abilities of all students
Most classes need to be mediated through the spoken word from tutor to student. Therefore, even for a subject like mathematics, it ultimately must be taught through mostly spoken words. It is important to consider that not all students language abilities are the same. If lessons are to be taught in English, consider that some students might struggle with the English language. That means that one must consider the “level” of English one will be using, when giving a lesson. One should actively plan ahead and try to incorporate a level of English that will be understood by all students. Tutors should also try to use non-linguistic methods as well, such as using pictures, symbols and physical actions that could help the understanding of students.

Element 3: Be aware of and consider the different cultures of students in the class
To avoid negative outcomes, where some pupils might become negative or even offended, its important a tutor understand the different cultures, and norms of those cultures, when mediating a lesson. Factors such as the culture, gender, religion, race and socioeconomic characteristics of students in a lesson need to be understood and considered, when one is planning and delivering lessons.

Element 4: The use of blended teaching augmented by technology.
A modern tutor would use resource aids such as technology in the class room. That is to say that a laptop or computer will be present in the classroom and integrated into a lesson. The use of a computer, or computers if possible, will allow for more visual, or practical research and unassisted learning to take place. This will help with the inclusiveness of learners and give the tutor more time, that can be invested in the class in different ways. An example of a possible scenario could be where a tutor handles one-on-one queries while, other students are carrying on with a lesson presented through a video on the computer/s available in the classroom.

Element 5: Cater to the many different learning styles.
It would be important for a tutor to ensure that their teaching methods will cater for all the different learning styles of learners. Tutors would have to understand the possible learning styles of various learners and ensure that their teaching methods incorporate as much as possible, in terms of covering as many of the learning styles as possible. This will be achieved by using applicable, and modern, differentiated teaching methods.

We are a newly launched website that will be bringing Pretoria, and the rest of South Africa, some of the highest quality in tutoring tools, ideas, content and more.