Finding a Place to Conduct Classes

A: Where Do I Tutor?

Where you decide to tutor really depends on where you and your student feel most comfortable working. Choosing a location for a tutoring session can really affect how successful the session becomes and how long it will take. Many tutoring centers such as Kumon and Sylvan have their own storefront in locations that are convenient for people to get to. Having your own office to conduct your tutoring sessions can work out to be very convenient. Students know where to find you and you don't have to make any special trips. However, it you can't afford your own office location, you and your student should decide on a suitable place where you can both meet. The best way to decide on a place is to talk to your student about where he or she feels most comfortable working.

Q: Possible Places to Tutor In

Here are some suggestions where you can find a place to tutor:

The Library
Libraries offer the perfect location for tutoring, they offer access to great references, resources and internet access, combined with a quiet, private and comfortable environment that is conducive to learning. Many libraries have a separate study room that you can book - check with the librarian for a private room to tutor in. Libraries also provide a good meeting place for your first tutoring session. Unlike cafe's and other venues, the environment is quiet and there are generally several people around so that both you and your student don' t feel uncomfortable when meeting together for the first time.

The Student Union Building
The Student Union Building also represents another great place to conduct a tutoring session. Generally there are lots of desks and chairs, and enough people around to make it a non-threatening environment for both the tutor and student to meet.

A Cafe
Cafe's are a good meeting place to meet for the very first time, or to conduct a tutoring session. People not only go there for the coffee and music, but Cafe's such as Starbucks and Seattles Best are a great place to socialize, to meet business associates or to find a quiet place to relax and unwind. Cafes can get very noisy and busy around lunch time or after work. Check with the waiter or waitress and ask them when does it get very busy and when is it quiet, so that you know when is the best time to schedule a meeting.

At Your (Or their) Home
Unless you have had previous tutoring relationships with your student and know them very well, inviting them to your (or their) home should be avoided. Although this option may seem like a convenient way to tutor, the potential for harassment, theft and other problems makes it something to avoid at all cost.

At The Students Place of Work Many working students are flexible, and they can rearrange their work schedule so that you can meet for a tutoring session at their place of work. For the tutor and student, this can be a very convenient option. However, conducting a tutoring session during working hours can also present a lot of challenges and distractions. If you plan to tutor your student at work make sure that you find a private room to work in, such as a meeting room that is far away from the students work desk. Make sure you talk to the student about making prior arrangements before the tutoring session, such as getting the whiteboard marker ready, booking the meeting room or getting permission from their employers. The student should also inform their colleagues and put up signs to say that they are spending time with their tutor, and if possible not to interrupt them when a tutoring session is been held.