8 Questions to Help You Find the Right Private Teacher

8 Questions to Help You Find the Right Private Teacher Suzy S. If youre thinking about taking music lessons, language tutoring, or any other type of one-on-one instruction, you might start by taking a look at your schedule and budget. But dont forget that finding the right teacher should be just as important, and in some situations, an even bigger priority. Think about it: your teacher will be the one pacing your lessons. And when it comes to learning, nobody is the same. Your teacher has to match up well with your learning style and personality, and understand how to keep you motivated. As you search for your teacher, consider the following questions and think about what you need as a student: 1) Whats your learning style? Everyone has their own unique way of learning and retaining information. Think back to when you were in school (or if youre setting up lessons for your child, ask him or her what currently works) were you always doodling in your notebook? Did you learn best from looking at diagrams or images? Did you color-code your notes, or did rewriting them over and over help with memorization? No matter what subject youre taking on, your teacher should cater your lessons toward your personal learning style and some may be better than others at this. Try discussing this with your teacher at your first lesson, and make sure they understand how to tailor your lessons appropriately. Along with this, keep special needs or learning disabilities in mind. Check in with your instructor prior to your first lesson to discuss your needs, and make sure your teacher is equipped to help. 2) Do you want to learn specific concepts within your lessons? Looking for private tutoring  for your child? Perhaps your elementary student is struggling with math overall, and would benefit from some extra guidance. For older students, however, often the struggle is in a specific  concept within their math class, such as algebra, geometry, or calculus. Or, maybe its more SAT prep than just math. Similarly, as a music student, you wouldnt just book a music teacher youd be looking for a guitar teacher, a piano teacher, or a trumpet teacher. And if you have a specific genre or goal in mind, youll have an even better experience booking a Flamenco guitar teacher, a classical guitar teacher, or a country guitar teacher. Finding an instructor who lists these kinds of specific subjects will help you stay focused on your goals and individual needs. 3) Whats your experience level? Even the best teachers and professionals once started out right where you are, as a beginner! And they may have even started teaching years before they became experts, gaining experience along the way. Because of this, its important to make sure your teacher is equipped to teach a student at your level. This isnt a big deal for a beginner, but should be taken into account for intermediate and advanced students. The students age plays a big part, too.  If youre booking lessons for a child, finding someone with experience teaching kids can make a huge difference theyll know how to remain patient, keep your child focused, and cater each lesson plan appropriately. Teens may work best with younger teachers they can identify with, or need someone who guides them along without making them feel like a child. 4) Is finding a teacher who has been background checked important to you? We know safety is a big concern for many students and families especially if youre inviting your instructor into your home for lessons. As youre searching for a teacher on TakeLessons.com, simply look for the Background Check: Verified label within teacher profiles, which shows theyve completed a criminal background check in the last year. 5) Do you have schedule restrictions? Is your scheduling always changing, do you have other commitments that might get in the way of a consistent lesson time, or do you travel often for work? If you need a teacher who can accommodate a more flexible schedule, keep this mind. Teachers may have different policies regarding reschedules or cancellations, so discuss this before any issues come up. If youre looking for a certain day or time, filter your search results as needed to see teachers with open availability. 6) Is your teachers experience level important to you? Would you prefer that your teacher has years of experience, over someone fresh out of college? TakeLessons teachers have the opportunity to add their affiliations, awards, and years of teaching experience to their profile. However, keep in mind that often this is more of a personal preference. Younger students, for example, often identify better with younger teachers, who can teach the basics and be a fantastic role model for inspiration. Dont discredit a teacher based on these factors, but you may want to keep it in mind if its important to you. 7) Do you want to take lessons in a studio, in your home, or online? Logistics matter! Will you be easily distracted taking lessons in your home? Are you a frequent traveler who needs the convenience of online lessons? Filter your search results by Location to view the teachers who offer what you need. (Not sure how to choose your lesson location? Here are four questions to ask yourself.) 8) Have you seen reviews or feedback about the instructor? Trying to decide between two teachers in your area? Reading feedback from other students can be incredibly helpful! Past and current students can rate their TakeLessons teacher in several areas, including professionalism, reliability, and teaching skill, as well as provide open-ended feedback about their experience. This feedback displays at the bottom of our teacher profiles, and can also be filtered within search results. Finally, once youve selected your teacher, dont feel like youre locked in. Sometimes, personalities clash. Maybe your teachers studio location isnt where you thought it would be, or they werent equipped for your goals and needs. As time goes on, you might need an instructor who teaches at a more advanced level. Whatever the case, remember that youre free to switch teachers at any time. As a student, youre in charge of your success and pairing with the perfect teacher for you is part of that! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher