Mathematics is an essential subject both in your schooling days and as you start your career as an adult. Governments, organisations and firms worldwide have realised the importance of mathematics in our daily lives and, therefore, have emphasised this subject in schools and in picking the right candidate to join their organisation. It's not uncommon for companies to include aptitude testing in their pre-employment screening process, even if the job doesn't require specific mathematical skills. Strong mathematical abilities lead to exceptional problem-solving skills, making individuals highly valuable to employers.
Basic mathematical skills are also required for us to live day to day. For example, if you were to go shopping and there was a sale, how would you know if the sale was worth your time? Or how do you tell the time? How do you do your monthly budget? All these are essential day-to-day scenarios that use maths. So we must know at least basic maths to be a functioning adult.
Mathematics is an important subject that provides many career opportunities. Therefore, there is a high demand for math tutors who can help students understand and master the subject. Singapore's private tuition industry for math is worth millions of dollars. This article will explore how much math teachers earn and how you can become one.
Types of Maths Tutoring and How Much Do They Cost?
When people find maths tutors, they usually consider group or private one-to-one tutoring. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, most tutoring sessions were in-person at a mutually agreed location. However, due to the pandemic, there has been a surge in demand for online maths tuition. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages and, thus, has different costs. Let's delve deeper into these types of maths tutoring to understand them better.
Group Tutoring Classes
Group tutoring classes are the cheaper option of the two types of classes. This type of tutoring is similar to a classroom setting with one tutor and more than one student. The smaller the group, the more the sessions cost. This is due to many factors but mainly because of the ability of the tutors to give each student personalised attention. The fewer students, the more personalised attention the tutor can provide each of them. In recent years, there has been an increase in the demand for online group tutoring classes as well. A tutor generally charges $30 to $50 per lesson in Singapore.
One-to-One Tutoring Classes
On the other hand, the private tutoring class is highly sought after as it provides students with personalised attention from a tutor. In this type of tutoring class, the tutor will be able to concentrate solely on the student, identify their weaknesses in maths, and provide them with the coaching they need to ace their maths examinations. This type of tutoring is also known as private home tuition, which means the tutor will travel to the student's homes to coach them. This type of tutoring is mainly done physically, but as mentioned earlier, with Covid-19, the demand for online private tutoring has also increased. As this is the preferred type of tutoring, the cost is, of course, higher. Students and parents are willing to pay a premium for the personalised attention the students get, and this type of tutoring tends to be more effective than others. Generally, the cost for one-on-one tutoring tends to be approximately $120 to $500 in Singapore.
The rates above are just a ballpark of how much a tutor can earn teaching mathematics. Of course, many other factors come into play, such as experience, qualifications, recommendations, etc. Generally, the more qualified and experienced you are, the more you charge for your classes, but the recommendations and support you provide to your students also play a big part.
Are you looking for additional resources for mathematics? Browse helpful mathematics websites to help you master the subject.
Why Do Some Tutors Charge More Than the Others?
When you start on your journey to becoming a maths tutor, you will notice a wide range of fees you can charge for tutoring mathematics. This, of course, depends on certain factors, such as whether it is a group or one-to-one class or a face-to-face or online class. There are also a lot of other factors that can influence the cost the tutor charges their students. Let us look at some of these factors to help us understand why some tutors charge more than others.
Qualifications
Qualifications are essential when you want to pursue tutoring. Qualification only comes second to experience. As you start your journey in tutoring maths, you might not have much tutoring experience, which is why qualification is essential for those beginning their tutoring journey. The higher the qualification a tutor has, the more they can charge.
Their educational background assures students and parents that the tutor knows their stuff, can guide students appropriately, and helps them learn maths better. The knowledge level of a person with a degree differs from one with a master's level education. As you go from undergraduate to postgraduate, your understanding of your subject matter changes and the difficulty level in getting that qualification also increases.
Experience
Experience is arguably the most critical factor when it comes to tutoring. An experienced tutor can charge almost double, if not more, than a tutor with less experience. Experienced tutors take time; they tend to have an understanding and knowledge of the maths syllabus that is not attainable quickly. It takes years for a tutor to gain experience. Students and parents tend to seek out these tutors, and most of the time, their availability is quickly taken, hence why they charge a premium for their tutoring services. With experience, they can impart knowledge effectively, help students with their maths revision, and understand and apply what they have been taught. They are also so good at tutoring that their students can achieve good grades in their examinations. These tutors are effective and produce results, making them high in demand. As mentioned, being one of these tutors takes dedication, time, hard work and, most importantly, passion for what they do.
Location
Another reason why some tutors charge more for their classes is because of location. We need to acknowledge that not all areas have an equal footing regarding tuition rates. Some areas in Singapore have lower tuition rates, while others are more expensive than average. A good tutor must consider this when setting up the rates for your tuition services.
As a tutor, you must also consider the locations you will have to travel to, which will influence your rates. A longer commute tends to cost more, while a closer commute and location tend to cost less. All these factors should be considered when setting up the cost you will charge students. It will not make sense to charge a premium in a lower-income area as students there cannot afford it. It is always important to remember to do your research and market yourself as a tutor properly and effectively.
Innovative Ideas to Excel as a Mathematics Tutor
Once you have decided to pursue a career as a tutor, you should strategise how to market yourself as a maths tutor. Let us look at some tips and tricks you can use to market yourself as a maths tutor successfully.
Offer Free Classes
One of the best ways you can start and market yourself as a maths tutor is by providing your first lesson free. This will be a test run for students to decide if they want to hire you as a tutor. Most of the time, the most challenging part when starting to tutor is getting the first few students. Once this is done, if you are good at what you do, these students will recommend you to other students and parents. This first lesson is a sort of one-foot-in-the-door situation and can be the break into this industry.
Join Platforms Like Superprof
Superprof is a leading online platform that connects students with tutors worldwide. One of the best things you can do for yourself when becoming a tutor is to join platforms like this. In Singapore, the tutoring industry is a multimillion-dollar industry that can be difficult to break into. You can set yourself apart by joining Superprof and starting your journey as a tutor. You will not only be able to earn competitive rates, but you also get to meet and tutor students from different locations and backgrounds. Superprofs tutors are also known for being well-versed in the subject they teach, experienced, knowledgeable and qualified. The fact that all of the tutors on Superprof are verified also gives parents and students confidence that they are hiring the best for themselves and their kids.
Provide Excellent Customer Service
As a tutor, providing excellent customer service to your students is crucial, as it sets you apart. An experienced tutor with a bad attitude will not go far, so always be supportive and attentive towards your students. Positivity and encouragement can work wonders for struggling students, and over time, they will learn to trust and feel comfortable with you as their tutor. All these factors contribute to you being an effective tutor who helps students achieve their best. With time, your exceptional service will travel through word of mouth and gain you more and more students.
What is the Right Amount to Charge for Maths Tuition?
As mentioned, many factors influence tutoring rates. Factors such as qualification and experience play a big part in determining the rates of tutoring sessions. You will need to have a look at all the factors and come to a decision to fix your rates. You must remember not to oversell or undersell yourself. Both will hurt your marketability. A maths tutor's salary in Singapore starts at $30. Assess yourself and consider the level you are planning to tutor. For example, primary tutoring lessons tend to be cheaper than secondary level. After considering all these and looking at the market rate, we are sure that you will be able to find a price that fits your students and yourself as a tutor.
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