Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When are your tutoring sessions?

I am available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday after 6pm for regular session, and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) for “cramming” and “ad-hoc” sessions.

Please contact me first by e-mail to initiate phone conversation & preliminary assessment.

2. What subjects do you tutor?

I tutor Grade 9 - 12 Grade Math, and Grade 12 Calculus and Algebra.


3. How did you become a Math tutor?

Math tutoring is just my part-time activity.  My first tutoring experience started when I was in Grade 11. The Math department in my high school realized my accomplishment in the subject, so I was invited to join the Peer Helping program.  Since then, I volunteered my lunch and after school time to tutor Grade 9 and 10 students.  I continued to tutor all grades when I was in high school in the Tutoring Club.

I worked in three different private education centres in Toronto when I was in my university life.  I also tutored high school students privately.  In 2001, I came to Ottawa and continued my tutoring practice on a part-time basis.  

I am proud of  being able to help students in the most difficult subject (ie, Math).  I also like to work with students to help them choose their university and career path wisely.


4. What is your tutoring approach?

I use 3:3:4 approach.  That is, 30% of the time on theory, 30% of the time on examples/application and 40% of the time on practice.  I have been an Ontario high school students, and I understand that we don't want to see too many theories.  I will show the students minimal theory to do the work.  They will appreciate the Math by using it.  

I will show students how to solve sample problems, then they will immediately be asked to solve a similar problem.  I will place emphasis on the 'must-know', then talk about 'iceburg' or advanced topics (not to waste students' time).

I am a big fan of homework and extra exercise/practice.


5. Do you tutor only Math?

Yes, I am specialized in tutoring Math.  If you want referrals for tutors in other subjects, I can give you advice by email as well.


6. Does tutoring mean 'help with homework'?

Quoted from www.mostly-math.com.

No.  We need to understand that there are two main ways of approaching school problems: remediation and reinforcement.

Remediation is often described as going back to the student's "level" and then re-teaching the basics. This is the method most often used by large, commercial centres who have their own curriculum and their own ways of teaching.

Reinforcement is often described as "supportive" tutoring: tutoring that specifically targets what a student is doing right now in school. This method is most often used by smaller tutoring centres or by independent tutors.

Many parents find themselves trapped in restrictive, pre-paid remedial programs when they really need a reinforcement strategy. This is because remedial centres are so well known that parents call them first when they are really looking for a reinforcement tutor. Why are these centres so well-known? Because their pre-made programs are easy to implement, easy to franchise and therefore are highly profitable, generating the cash necessary for national advertising and developing brand recognition. Just like every McDonald's hamburger is the same around the world, a franchise learning experience is a standardized experience. Reinforcement tutoring cannot be standardized because every lesson is different. That's why it's so important to know the difference, and to know which one is what you need before you call a company.


7. Do I have to commit to a regular weekly schedule?

Quoted from www.mostly-math.com.

Many people are hesitant to go to a tutor because they believe they'll be "sucked in" to a large commitment. No student should go to their tutor just "because it's Thursday" -- tutoring can be on an as-needed basis. Many students do need consistent, regular help because they find even their daily schooling a struggle. But, many students will only schedule a session with a tutor just before a big test to clear up any last minute questions and to get a final boost of confidence.

Tutoring to support school work should only be as regular as the school difficulties, otherwise you run the risk of students becoming over-dependent upon tutoring.

8. Are you a certified teacher?

I am not a certified teacher, but an experienced tutor.  It is important to understand the difference between a teacher and a professional tutor.

Quoted from www.mostly-math.com.

In order to teach in public schools (not private, religious or independent schools), you need to be a certified teacher. "Certified teachers" have been trained to be school teachers. Much of their training involves classroom management, public school regulations and policies, and how to deal with paperwork. They also learn how to be include all students in the classroom, avoid demonstrating favouritism and how to promote the social, moral and behavioural values of the public school system.

Teachers have a very specific job to do, and so do tutors. Teachers teach classes of students and tutors teach individual students.  

Tutors are focused on only one or a few students at a time, and they must be highly capable of working one-on-one with students. While classroom lessons can be planned ahead of time, tutors must know how to create a lesson "on the spot" as they identify the strengths and weaknesses of their student. A tutor must be skilled in "reading" the student, and knowing when "I understand" doesn't really mean "I understand." No student wants or needs to be taught something they already understand, and no student can learn harder material when they haven't really understood the earlier work. A professional tutor must be able to judge when it's time to move on, so that the student is neither bored nor lost.

9. How much time should I spend with the tutor?

Quoted from www.mostly-math.com.

So many families have thrown away money thinking they were getting a bargain! Please don't fall into that trap!

The truth is that you cannot predict the total cost of tutoring based on the tutor's hourly rate.  The reason is quite simple, although most people don't know it: when you have a better tutor, you use significantly fewer hours of the tutor's time!  You cannot compare tutors simply on hourly rates. Many people think they can't afford "good quality" tutoring. The truth is, they can't afford ineffective tutoring!

My experience shows that Grade 9 and 10 students require approximately 1-2 hours per week, while Grade 11 and Grade 12 students require 2 sessions per week, 1-2 hours per session.  Again, it depends on the motivation of each student as well.