Higher Education

Choosing the right economics tutor

By eLearning Inside
July 10, 2024

Economics is a lucrative subject with many career opportunities, and it is important to understand and crack the concepts of it with ease.

Undergraduate degrees in economics are ranked in the top fifteen for most U.S. universities, and students majoring in it have been found to have a salary boost as high as $22,000 more than their second-choice majors.

For academic success, choosing the right Economics tuition online is crucial to getting the most out of the subject in higher education.

With the gaining popularity of the subjects across the US and beyond, online tutoring for economics has also grown, with tutors of all levels of expertise readily available to teach basic economic principles, including taxation, inflation, and supply and demand.

Overlooking Qualifications and Experience

The most common mistake people make when choosing an economics tutor is to overlook or ignore their educational qualifications and industry experience. A teacher’s educational qualifications and teaching background will affect their knowledge.

If there are specific principles and topics a student would like to learn in economics, verifying the credentials of tutors before saying ‘yes’ will save a lot of time and money. Search for tutors with advanced college degrees in the subject, along with years of teaching experience, teachers are plentiful on tutoring platforms like Wyzant and Apprentus.

Experienced tutors have knowledge of practical applications of theories and concepts that provide real-world value, and PhD students and candidates are in the unique position of offering expertise on specific research concepts.

Most importantly, students should look up references and reviews from past students to understand the tutor’s effectiveness.

Ignoring Teaching Style and Compatibility

Another critical aspect that goes unspoken is the teaching style and compatibility between the student and teacher. Every student is different, study at different paces, and has unique learning styles.

Before committing to a tutor, students should shop around and ensure the tutor of choice understands their unique style and modifies their methods to see what works best for them. While some tutors use structured learning through lessons, others use interactive modes of discussion-based studies.

You can assess the compatibility by requesting a demo class. This will give you a clear picture of how the tutor is adapting to your child’s learning style.

Moreover, you must check the interpersonal dynamic between the student and the teacher. An ideal tutor will motivate the students, make them comfortable, and encourage them to ask questions.

Focusing Solely on Cost

Inflation and the global cost of living have pushed cost and affordability to the forefront of private and personalised tutoring. According to TutorCruncher, the average cost for a tutor can range from $15 to $80 per hour.

Yet, the cheapest option may not be the best option, and students could compromise the quality of services for pricing.

However, high fees also do not guarantee positive results, which is why, referring back to a previous point, it is important to shop around and acquaint yourself with a tutor before committing to one. Online platforms like Wyzant and MyTutor usually include a tutor profile which will list their credentials, experience, and expertise.

With a topic as wide and ever-evolving as economics, finding the right tutor requires effective planning and not doing your research into what you want to learn could be costly and compromise your understanding of economics.

If you found this article helpful, take a look at Improving math skills with private tutoring