11 Plus Exams Forum

I have been looking for an English tutor to help my DD and I am getting tired of it all. I just cant find any in my local area, just agencies I am finding. Now something rather wierd but that I have found that may solve my problems is online tutoring. I just wanted to find out if any of your DCs have done this or what you think of this rather bizzare idea.

I found someone who seem good on paper in London and they provide online/ skype/ telephone tutoring at £15 an hour. The areas she needs help with is comprehension and writing stories mainly. DD does the work and I send it via email to tutor who marks it and returns. Tutor then has a chat with DD via skype/phone and tell her how to improve her work.

It all sounds rather odd but just wanted to find out if you think this will work? I dont think this will work for maths but for English I am thinking maybe it is worth a go.

i stress that this is my personal opinion, but I think face to face is much better for tutoring they can pick up instantly on problems and body language is so important. If a pupil says they understand you can tell whether they really do or not.

My instant reaction was 'no' - but then thinking about it: if you haven't got a good local option then what have you got to loose by giving it a go?

(Don't forget to do all the ususal 'safety' checks though!)

Thanks KB and Yoyo, I know face to face is great. Do you think then these online agencies are better compare to this online remote tutor?. From the few people I have looked at these agencies website, it seems anyone just needing extra dosh can just register so I really dont know what I am getting. With the online person so far what they are saying is conviencing but just not sure how useful it will be. Part of me thinks I really like this then part me says its a fad and she wont benefit much.

My biggest hurdle is really to help her with panctuation and stuff which I am not very good at myself so I am looking for someone to mark her work more than anything. I doubt my skills in this area. I did get the book you recommended Yoyo which is great ie achieving level 5 rising stars. What I was hoping to get is someone who can take her work a bit higher than that now. I dont feel too confident about how I have been marking her stories

Is there a free sample lesson offered? Or can you buy just one lesson to try it out? If you can, give it a go. If not, then perhaps they have something to hide.

should not school be a valid place to ask for more help / focus wrt grammar / punctuation etc? I can understand them not wanting to get involved for VR / NVR but the provision of solid English teaching is something which they should be interested in "supporting."

If it were me I would give it a go. People study GCSE's and even degrees this way. If you only risk £15 for your first try of it and the written credentials seem good, try it. In some ways you as the parent will be able to see what you are getting for your money much more easily than a tutorial behind closed doors!

Good luck