Knowing a few Japanese phrases also helped make them feel that I as their tutor was there to guide them through the lesson and they don't have to be nervous.

He said that he can read but needs to write everything first in English and memorize whatever he wants to tell the tutor before the lesson.

I ended up translating the sentences and follow-up questions in Japanese from Google and I became his regular tutor, but I felt exhausted doing that all the time.

It prompt me to upscale and took some Japanese lessons.

Although my vocabulary in Japanese language is not that much, I can easily understand what he meant and I can respond to his needs right away in our lessons.

My students have an easier time understanding new words if I include the commonly used synonyms or antonyms of the word with the definition I got from Britannica.

• using Total Physical Response, body language and prompts, helps in getting student feedback.

• using phrasings that are simpler and easier to understand.

• encouraging the student to talk more!

adjust my speaking pace according to the student's.

That has always helped me build rapport

since the beginning of my journey here at Rarejob.

Thus, students feel more comfortable and they're able

to engage with you very well.

During the lesson, I always speak in a friendly and accommodating manner. I make sure that I speak clearly and moderately during our introduction. This often makes them feel less intimidated and willing to learn.

Letting them feel that they are in a safe place to learn often encourages engagement.

Extracting meaningful insights from them for the first 2-5 minutes was a Herculean task and painfully draining. 

However, it pushed me to broaden my knowledge in fields like medicine, engineering, and business. As a voracious reader and meticulous notetaker, diving deep into these subjects, as well as students' postgraduate education, really paid off. It showed that I actively listened and valued every minute detail of their answers.

Over time, I’ve learned to transform a standoffish and disinterested student into an engaging conversationalist and, eventually, a skilled interlocutor. My hospitality background and firsthand experience of Japan's Omotenashi during my five-year stay taught me the importance of going the extra mile. It's a game-changer for building strong connections with students, which is something I really appreciate.

As for repeat/regular students, writing teacher's notes can make me remember what kind of lessons and topics the student prefers. I can keep this in mind when giving examples or even asking follow up questions about some topics in the lesson.

During the lesson, Chat box is very important to me. I type the meaning of the unfamiliar words and I give examples for better understanding.

Rapport is also important especially for students who are shy.

1. Building Rapport: I start by getting to know my students. I ask about their interests, hobbies, and what they enjoy outside of school. This helps me connect with them on a personal level and shows that I genuinely care about them as individuals.

2. Positive Reinforcement: I believe in celebrating the small wins. Whenever a student makes progress, even if it's something minor, I make sure to acknowledge it. A simple "Great job!" or "You’ve really improved!" can go a long way in boosting their confidence.

3. Being Patient: Everyone learns at their own pace, and it’s important to be patient. If a student is struggling with a concept, I reassure them that it's okay and that we'll keep working on it together. Patience helps create a stress-free learning environment.

4. Creating a Safe Space: I encourage my students to ask questions and express any confusion they might have without feeling embarrassed. I always tell them that no question is too small or silly. This openness helps them feel more comfortable participating actively in our sessions.

5. Setting Clear Expectations: I make sure my students know what to expect from our sessions and what I expect from them. This clarity helps them feel secure and understand the structure of our lessons.

6. Using Humor: A bit of humor can lighten the mood and make learning more fun. I don’t shy away from making a joke or laughing with my students. It helps create a relaxed atmosphere.

7. Empathy: I always try to put myself in my students' shoes. If they’re having a tough day, I acknowledge it and adjust the session accordingly. Sometimes, just listening and being understanding can make a huge difference.

Many students are still confused about the usage of hang out and play. So, we have to explain the slight difference between these two words.

• Play: Often involves specific activities or games, such as playing with toys or participating in organized sports.

• Hang out: Refers to spending time together without a specific plan or activity, often for social interaction and relaxation.

I make it polite and friendly to lighten the mood. Sometimes it's not obvious how good of a speaker the student is at first because they might hesitate to talk to a non-approachable tutor.

Once I am confident or at least have an idea of my student's level, I practice the following:

Beginner - Slow down my talk pace. Make sure my enunciation is very clear for easier understanding. Use the simplest words I can when talking or explaining the lesson. Be mindful if the student is comfortably keeping up with the lesson.

Intermediate - Semi-slow to normal speaking pace is alright. Can ask open-ended questions to make the student speak their minds more.

Advanced - Normal to fast speaking pace may be preferred. Encourage and challenge the student to think by asking relevant questions that would lead to a healthy discussion.

At least, that's how I do it. I hope this would help other tutors, too.

-T Jef

One unconventional student who took DNA lessons wanted me to provide synonymS for EVERY word he asked after he himself had given a synonym or two. It took time for me to answer at first, and I found it hard to understand his goal in asking for such when he clearly understood the words already. (We never got to the Discussion part, by the way.)

It wasn't a very pleasant class for me to be honest, but I gather there will be very few students like him who study differently. It's best to just learn from them rather than second guess their motive. This reminded me to always pre-read the material (I almost always do actually) and brush-up on using tabs such as 'thesaurus.com', etc. I even included that in my "Recommendations" to this student should he want to use it, instead of asking.

•ask simple questions for the first few minutes of our lesson to gauge his/her level

•mirroring my student's speaking pace

Flexibility is another crucial aspect of my teaching style. I adapt dynamically based on student feedback, unexpected challenges, or specific requirements. If a student is struggling with a particular concept, I find alternative ways to explain it. If unforeseen circumstances arise, such as technical glitches during online sessions, I remain adaptable and find solutions on the spot.

To enhance engagement, I embrace multimedia elements. Visual aids, interactive activities (for children), and relevant videos all play a role in making the learning process more engaging and memorable. These resources help reinforce concepts and cater to different learning preferences.

Lastly, assessment is integral to my approach. Regularly evaluating student progress allows me to identify areas for improvement and adjust my teaching strategies accordingly. Whether it's revisiting previous lessons or providing additional practice, I am committed to helping students succeed.

Teaching isn't just about imparting knowledge—it's about fostering growth, building confidence, and empowering learners. Being adaptable, empathetic, and responsive ensures that each student receives the support they need.

In this way, I can journey along with my student especially when dealing with beginner ones. Being aware of their pace, gives you an idea on how to deal with them more meaningfully.

T.Jo

• Check the student's profile and material request

• Review the tutoring notes of the previous tutor

• Pay attention to the speaking pace of the student during the lesson

1. Checking the tutoring notes of other tutors to get an idea of what approach to use.

2. I usually ask my students to introduce themselves first. This helps me determine their proficiency level in the language.

3. Building rapport is key to effective lessons. Making them smile, even just a bit, is a sign that they are becoming comfortable with the lesson.

4. Lastly, I avoid rushing through the lesson. I go with the flow and enjoy the student's learning process.

Some students struggle with grammar or pronunciation, while others need more time to understand reading materials. So, I started incorporating visuals, interactive activities, and even short games to keep them engaged. I also adjusted my speaking speed and always checked for understanding before moving on.

These small changes made a big difference in helping my students feel more confident and comfortable during our lessons. Every learner is unique, so flexibility is key!

I engage in a short conversation at the start of the lesson both to know the students more and adjust to their level and requests. Some students don't like to be corrected and others prefer to be corrected after the lesson. I also adjust my speaking pace based on how the students speak.

Aside from that, I’ve created personalized review sheets based on recurring errors, changed the lesson flow when students seemed overwhelmed, and even used real-life situations they mentioned (like work tasks or hobbies) to make grammar or vocabulary more relatable. There were times I had to switch from a formal approach to a more casual conversation style just to make the student feel more at ease.

If the student is shy, I give them more time to speak and encourage them gently. If the student is talkative, I let them lead the conversation and guide them naturally.

Overall, I try to facilitate interactive lesson-- in which they could share their ideas, opinions and thoughts clearly.😊

Before the lesson, I also review as many tutoring notes as possible to get an idea of the student's level.

1. Check the previous tutor notes for reference. Check the student profile student's preference.

2. Assess the student's ability based on his/her pace-- Adjust speaking pace.

3. Gauge the personality as well for an effective approach and engagement (shy, talkative, proactive, etc)

4. Communicate the lesson well.

5. Provide avenues for the student to shine, learn & execute in the class.

I adjust based on confidence levels too. For students who are anxious or discouraged, I build in more encouragement, low-stakes practice, and reminders that mistakes are part of learning. With more confident students, I challenge them with harder questions and ask them to explain ideas back to me. I’ve also learned to adapt to learning styles and goals. Some students want deep understanding, others are focused on passing an exam or finishing an assignment, so I tailor lessons to match what success looks like for them. Overall, the biggest adjustment I make is staying flexible and listening closely, because the best lessons usually grow out of what the student actually needs in that moment.

I also make sure to give students more opportunities to speak by asking open-ended questions and encouraging them to express their ideas. When needed, I balance correction and encouragement so they stay confident while improving.