The problem with group tutoring is that it is difficult to address each individual students' concern and it will be more effective to get 1 hour of individual tutoring than 4 hours of group tutoring in a group of four. And in-home one-on-one tutoring isn't that expensive. Our typical client only pays around $27/hour. Some tutoring agencies have a tendency to overcharge though.
When it comes to a language, I think group would be better. And sometimes, with some kids, competition can be a motivator. Of course, there are also the kids that do worse with competition, so you need to know the child. Which is the big advantage of homeschooling. The parent knows their child, knows what will work and what won't.
I thought that depended on where you were at, Dawn! I bet it can be a pain in the tush if you live in British Columbia!
You'd be surprised what you can get if you ask. My 2nd language is French; my DD wanted to learn German, which I don't speak. A neighbour is a linguist: French, German, Russian, Spanish ~ all free. My dd understands German well enough at 14 to listen to Hitler's speeches on~line & get most of it & watch German films without sub~titles. She's a musician & has a good ear & does lots of language as part of her music studies & speaking one Indo~European language quite well she has little trouble picking up others now. I think that's not too bad all things considered.
No you are certainly NOT the only one. I cannot stand when a post is created and instead of asking a genuine question the entire thread ends up dripping with assumptions and negative thinking.
French in public schools is pretty much standard across the country I think since we're officially bilingual but now that you mention it, I could be wrong.
Incidentally, on one of my trips to Iceland, I learned that many Icelandic children learn English by watching American shows and cartoons on TV. I've heard a similar thing in other countries. We tried this with some of our children, renting popular cartoons and movies available in other languages. (Imagine our son's reaction when we suggested watching 'Dora the Explorer' in Spanish in his Georgia Tech dorm room! ) Still, it's not a bad idea for encouraging a young child, in particular, to learn a new language.
That was just my impression from when I was in Canada about 100 years ago. I could very easily be wrong. I wish it was easy to find someone here that I could afford!
Even though I am not thrilled with the tone of the post I will answer to hopefully educate those out there who still think parents may not be qualified to homeschool. I consider myself the best person to teach my children. I know my kids learning styles, interests, strengths, weaknesses, and inner workings. I can tell when they don't understand something or they just don't feel like learning it. I also know I will teach them what I think is important to know like respect and values. I will also take the time to teach them in areas of their weaknesses and not simply move on because the rest of the class already understands. Likewise, I can move on rather then bore them to death with a subject they know like the back of their hand. I can adapt my teaching method to fit their learning style and needs on a moments notice. I am their #1 advocate and NO ONE wants to see them suceded more than I do. now, all subjects...well I can easily teach ALL subjects through elementary school. Beyond that, my weaknesses will be filled in by my husband, father in law, and possibly online classes...all depending on need. I find this a silly question. I could say yes I read a ton only for you to find out I spend my time reading a ton of trash. lol. So, I fail to see how this question helps you understand anything. But to play along...yes I read...I read quite a bit and I don't read trash. lol. I don't see how this would be helpful in my setting. My background is in educational psychology. I have tutored. I can't say it better than Jackie said in her post...refer to that. Yes. Seriously...is that a question? lol. Most things I understand immediately because my oldest is only going into 6th grade. No. I do think, however, that you should pose your questions in a different manner if you expect to sell your wares. This is not the place to simply gain a customer base.
After meeting my kids most people comment on how well behaved and smart they are. That's why I consider myself a good teacher. Because I have already taught them how to be little people the rest is nothing more than an extension of that.
Jackie, this is one thing I would comment on hehe, I lieved a good portion of my schooling years in Canada, in BC , the french I know I learned there, partially from the cereal boxes and milk cartons lol! IT is very easy to learn French there, no worries. I am the only one I know I think who speaks more french than Spanish. My kids and I have fun playing multilingual game of talk. I speak in French and they respond in Spanish, its fun! They don't realise they are learning to understand the french while helping me practice thier spanish!
I consider myself an able teacher for all subjects through high school. Not because I know about all subjects, but I do know how to find good resources and use them. I think the idea that you have to be an expert to guide your kids education is a false one. You just need to be passionate, somewhat organized, and disciplined to do it. Books are my best friend.
No, I think it too. But I'm in a chatty mood, LOL My greatest strength as a teacher lies in the fact that I have taught my children to *love* to read and to learn. This means that when they don't know the answer and I don't know the answer, usually we both want to find out the answer! My 2nd greatest strength - well maybe it's my greatest - well maybe they are tied - is that I love my children more than anyone else on this planet and am more motivated than any other person to help them realize their dreams and find happiness - and to learn how to accomplish that, which after all is what school ought to be about. I agree with a previous poster, I know people who read a lot of National Enquirer and it doesn't mean anything. But to answer your question: I read a lot of fiction, and I read a lot of nonfiction. And I read a lot of news online. I hate to admit that I have a double major in English & Astrophysics because I don't think that's what qualifies me to teach. That said, when the hecklers pile on, I can at least point out that it is quite unlikely that most public school teachers can do calculus in multiple dimensions. Um. It depends on the textbook. And the writer. And how well they explain it. And also, we don't use very many text books around here; we flesh out everything with real books. And also, especially when it comes to history, I like to take stock in where the writer comes from - is this a revisionist, apologetic, politically correct history or someone trying to find the "truth", or what. But mostly, yeah. Although I admit to having to reread my astrophysics text the last semester of college. I think that for child A, homeschooling may be more appropriate for lower grades, and for child b, homeschooling may be more appropriate for higher grades. Different strokes for different folks. But homeschooling is most appropriate for my family, and as long as it continues to be, we intend to homeschool all the way til college.
