Is Private Tutoring Better Than Classroom Learning?

Back in the day, private tutoring has been seen as something negative, because it was typical only for the weaker students. However, this is not the case right now as the experts from the UK website for finding local tutors TutorExtra state that private classes have proven to be the most effective way of learning and progressing. While group studying has its benefits, many people are turning to private tutors for more personalised attention and assistance. To conclude which method of studying is more effective, they need to be analysed in more detail.

Differences between group and private tutoring

Group lessons are considered to be the method of teaching in which an instructor usually teaches more than one person, while individual learning happens when the teacher explains the given material only to one student. Nowadays, both of these methods can be implemented in an online environment where people can learn from their homes.

As the differences may be quite obvious some things are misunderstood. For example, it used to be understood that private tutoring is only for pupils who are lagging and solving maths problems after class. It should also be mentioned that both types have their pros and cons, it depends a lot on what your goals are. To understand which is the best method of gaining new knowledge for you, you need to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of them.

Private and group tutoring

– pros and cons

In the table below, you can find summarised pros and cons of these two learning methods:

Type	Pros	Cons
Group tutoring	Low-cost Interaction with peers Participation in team activities	No personalised attitude Pre-set pace
Private tutoring	One-on-one attention Particular needs addressed Tailored educational material Faster progress Instructor-pupil relationship Personal motivation Fewer Distractions	Higher costs Possible exhaustion Difficulty in tracking progress Feeling obligated

 

Advantages of group tutoring

Group classes are a low-cost option for people to get an education in a certain subject. They are usually led by a skilled and professional educator in the subject matter. As seen in the table, these types of studying have some benefits like interaction with peers and participation in team activities.

In this form of education, the students can benefit from each other, socialising and exchanging knowledge with other classmates. In addition, they can support and help themselves if someone doesn’t understand something mentioned by the tutor. Some people prefer to study in a group because this allows them to track their progress while comparing themselves to others.

Advantages of private tutoring

Contrary to group studying are private lessons which also have a solid number of advantages. This type of learning is the only option for receiving one-on-one attention. This is key to quick progress, as it allows the instructor to teach the students according to their pace – neither slow nor fast. Also, the tutor can create a specially tailored programme taking into consideration only the needs, requirements, and studying ways of the student. The teacher can also divide the difficult material into smaller, more understandable parts keeping in mind human perception.

One-to-one attention is also important because if you are falling behind on a particular subject, you didn’t prepare for an exam, or you want to learn a language faster, this way of gaining knowledge is the best one for you, as you will see your development almost immediately. It is important to mention that this type of learning presents fewer distractions for the students as the person is alone and speaks only on the specific topic with the instructor.

Studying with a private teacher also helps people create a special bond with this person, meaning that they will feel at ease asking questions and relying on the tutor’s advice. Furthermore, the professor motivates and builds pupils’ confidence by complimenting their achievements and recognising milestones accomplished. This bond is also beneficial because a private tutoring teacher spends time only with one person who helps identify the weaker points. Thus, there will be more time spent on the needed material.

The disadvantage of group tutoring

Group tutoring is perceived to be an environment in which participants frequently feel discouraged from asking questions and requesting specialised assistance. Also, if somebody is struggling with a specific topic, the instructor may not be able to offer them the personalised instruction they require to succeed. These lessons may sometimes go at a speed that is too slow or too quick, making it difficult for them to advance or catch up with the subject.

Disadvantages of private tutoring

It is perceived that private tutoring classes are more expensive than group ones. However, this is a debatable topic as it depends on where exactly the teaching takes place. For example, the universities’ tuitions are much higher than visiting private lessons. So, this issue is very personal and depends on the subject, so nothing can be concluded here.

A disadvantage that can be mentioned for this type of education is the possibility of exhaustion that can be caused. This can happen because communication is only between two people and can become monotonous in one moment. Also, when not surrounded by other peers, sometimes it is difficult to track the exact progress of your learning. Visited frequently, the private classes can feel like an obligation without enjoying them because the social element is missing.

In conclusion, both group and individual tutoring have their advantages and disadvantages. However, when it comes to personalised attitude, tailored programmes, and faster progress, individual tutoring is the best choice. It allows the teacher to focus solely on human needs, which can build a strong bond between the student and the tutor and make education far more effective than group tutoring.