Whether to get your child some private tutoring is a question that a lot of parents face with at least one of their children during their academic life. Private tutoring can be expensive, but most parents are willing to invest if it means their child gets the extra little bit of help they need. So, the first question has to be “How do I know if my child needs extra tutoring?"
Parents need to find out from their child’s teacher how they are doing at school. They will hopefully tell you if your child could benefit from tutoring.
If your child is about to start an important year, where they will sit SATs, IGCSEs, or A-Levels, then this may be the time to seek extra tutoring in exam techniques and processes. If you feel that your child lacks confidence or independence, tutoring may help them reach their full potential.
The advantage with private tutoring is that it gives your child one-on-one attention, although it is important to ensure extra tutoring won’t put them under too much pressure.
Tutoring often works best if it’s done in conjunction with what the teacher is doing in class, and is done with their full support. Some children will benefit more from group tutoring, so it’s important to look at the options available, and decide which would suit your child’s learning needs best.
Your kids may still be enjoying the final days of their summer camp, but it’s never too early to start thinking about private tutoring for the coming academic year. Here are just a few options for tutoring services for students, in the Shunyi area.
The Learning Centre (TLC) is an American-operated tutoring center that has run group workshops and one-on-one tutoring programs in Beijing since 2004. TLC aims to bridge the gaps between eastern and western educational systems. Their native English-speaking instructors are certified teachers and/or qualified TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) instructors from England, America, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. All of TLCs programs are designed to match the specific academic needs of the students, using a combination of resources from different educational content providers.
Those who come to TLC include:
- Students who are seeking to develop their English language skills, in order to learn more effectively and pass exams.
- Students seeking subject-specific knowledge, in math, science, humanities, and advanced English to help them succeed in their IB, IGCSE, AP, and A-Level programs.
- Students seeking to understand the admissions processes and requirements for entering Beijing’s top international schools, overseas schools, and western universities.
Neighborhood Talent International Education Center (NTEC) is specialized in providing international curriculum tutoring on English, Math, Science, Chinese, and IB/SAT preparation. Their English and Math teachers include native English speakers from North America, and their Chinese teachers are qualified with at least a bachelor degree in language or education. NTEC provides customized classes in order to strengthen the student’s confidence in English or Chinese as a foreign language.
Contact: Cathay View Clubhouse, No. 1 Guangtang East Road, Chaoyang District 100102 ( (8450 1789, 130 3103 8833, service@chineseneighbor.com) www.chineseneighbor.com
Halida’s Cultural Center (HLCC) has provided a community center for foreigners living in the Shunyi area since 2005. The center provides private Chinese tutoring for students, tailored to their school and the educational program they are following. They have a long history working in the Shunyi neighborhood, and have tutored many students from ISB, WAB and other international schools. They have a good understanding of the programs of these schools, and their expectations, allowing HLCC to tutor students more effectively.
Contact: 2751, Capital Paradise, No. 8 Yuyang Road, Houshayu Town, Shunyi, Chaoyang District 101300 (8046 3328) www.hlcc.asia
ISA’s Chinese Classroom has been running since 2004. They provide tutoring services to students, to help develop their spoken and written Chinese language skills, assist with homework, and help with exam preparations. Lessons are tailor-made to meet individual language levels, demands, and the goals of the student.
Contact: Opposite Beijing Vanke City Garden, Houshayu, Shunyi (138 0137 0723, easywaychinese@aliyun.com)
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: Harald Groven, Olga Lednichenko, Pete (Flickr)
