Not sure whether to engage a home tuition agency or go to a tuition centre for your child? In this article, we will discuss about the pros and cons of both home tuition and tuition centres for you to consider before making an informed decision.
Summary of Comparison
- Tuition rates and fees
- Commitment and contract
- One to one home tuition vs group tuition
- Single vs multiple subjects
- Flexibility (home vs centre)
1. Tuition rates and fees
Although tuition centres usually command a lower hourly rate, they usually charge a non-refundable registration fee and monthly/annual recurring materials fee. Registration fee ranges from $50-$150, depending on how reputable the centre is. Moreover, centres charge exorbitant material fees of around $50 annually for printing black and white materials for your children.
However, when we contrast it to home tuition, home tutors usually charge only their hourly rates, with no additional or hidden charges. For instance, they do not charge any registration or material fees. While we agree that home tuition teachers command a higher hourly rate, they bring far greater advantages as compared with tuition centres, which will be elaborated in our subsequent pointers below.
2. Commitment and contract
There is no minimum commitment period for home tuition. Should you find the tutor unsuitable after the first lesson, you can request for cancellation. This is because you do not sign a legal binding contract with one to one home tutors. On the other hand, tuition centres lock you in right from the beginning! Most of them go by 4/8 or 12 lessons (1-3 months) packages. This means that if you find the tutor’s teaching style unsuitable, you cannot exit the contract immediately and get any refund, since you are already sealed in the contract. Home tuition agencies on the other hand, allow for a change in home tutor anytime you wish. If you still prefer to engage a tuition centre, be sure to read the fine prints before signing the contract.
3. One to one home tuition vs group tuition
Without doubt, one to one home tuition provides a more personalised, customised learning experience for your child. Tutees can clarify any queries with their home tutors directly and get undivided attention. In a group setting, help rendered by the tutor may be less personalised as the tutor has to accommodate to all the queries of the student. To give it a simple illustration, home tutors will be able to provide 100% attention to your child. Contrast it to a group tuition of 5 students, each student will only get 20% of the tutor’s attention. This is one of the reasons why one-to-one home tuition rates are more expensive than tuition centres. In order for lessons to be productive and conducive, it is important that students can clarify their doubts on the spot or as soon as possible.
4. Single vs multiple subjects
Many tuition centres specialise in one single subject only, such as Maths or Chemistry. If you are looking for someone to tutor multiple subjects for your child, it is best that you engage a home tutor instead of having to engage multiple centres. Tuition centres provide a very specialised and focused experience, but you will rack up a lot of costs. Getting tuition from tuition centres usually cost a bomb, with some centres charging up to $120/2h for group tuition! In a group setting of five, they are making $600 for a two hours lesson without equal or undivided attention for your child!
5. Flexibility (home vs centre)
Home tuition generally has more flexibility in terms of lesson schedule. If you have extended activities happening in school and have to push back lessons, most home tutors are able to accommodate to that request as long as an advanced notice is given. However, since tuition centres have to accommodate to the entire class, they are unable to make such changes just for you. In terms of pace for tuition centres, either the slowest person gets left out or the fastest student do not get to move on to the next topic. Instead, home tuition provides more flexibility and caters to your specific pace of study.
Making the right choice
As elucidated above, there are various pros and cons for both home tuition and tuition centres. Ultimately, it is up to the student’s needs and learning style. There is no fixed solution for everyone, so it will be the best to try out both options before deciding on which one to settle on for your child. If you are considering to get a home tutor for your child, you can make a free home tuition request with us today!
