Student
At the moment, the student is not in a position to make a competitive application to the school of his choice. There are gaps in his knowledge. These gaps are not caused by lack of ability, but rather by lack of opportunity. His early years education has been very different to that of his peers, and his experiences to date have not matched the standards and norms of British private schools. This difference of experience needs to be addressed so that he is in a strong position going into the exams.
The student is fluent in Mandarin and English, and has just started learning French. He also has piano lessons, but as yet has not sat any formal grading exams. He sings well, and enjoys listening complex music such as symphonies and other orchestral performances. Additionally, he is a member of the Oxford drama school, which he thoroughly enjoys, and he also shows a certain aptitude in art.
Although his English is very good, switching from a Mandarin speaking environment to an English school has left him lagging behind his peers in certain areas. For example, he is currently reading at level 7 of the Oxford Reading Tree, while his peers are already on level 12. He is also slightly awkward in conversation in the sense that he understands broad topics, but he needs to improve listening skills and to learn to answer the questions he is asked. In his case, his ability to listen quietly to long symphonies dispels the possibility that there is anything of concern regarding attention. Instead it suggests that he just needs help to understand the nuances and intonations of spoken English. This is something that a native speaker would have no trouble with, but something with which he needs additional support.
The student's mother is also keen to improve her English, and is hoping to take advantage of having a Tutor working with her son. She is already receiving tuition for her pronunciation and linguistic ability, but is after additional assistance to learn about English literature, social sciences and philosophy. Her needs are of a much higher level than the boy's, and so the Tutor should be comfortable working with both a primary aged child and an intelligent, cultured and motivated mature student.
Role of the Tutor
The family envisage the tutoring to take place weekdays during the summer, with 2-3 hours of intense and rigorous academic work during the mornings, followed by structured afternoon activities that, although designed to continue his education, should also be fun. The family will spend most of the summer in Oxford, and while the city has plenty of museums and activities to keep a young boy interested, they would welcome the Tutor to plan educational trips to London or other locations.
If the Tutor is able to start by the 1st of July, there is the possibility of them travelling to Kenya on safari with the family to continue the tutoring while away (July 5th - 16th). While away, the Tutor should look to use the local environment as a source of inspiration for their lessons, incorporating threads of Kenyan culture and life into their classes to take as much advantage the time and location.
This is a serious academic position, and as such, the Tutor should be very comfortable working to the highest levels of a competitive curriculum, helping the boy to explore fully his academic capabilities. The Tutor should have first hand knowledge of the requirements of top-level private schools, as well as experience teaching children to pass the exacting entry examinations. They should be able to explain concepts simply and effectively, targeting the weak areas and helping to plug gaps in knowledge. They should also have experience of the kind of tests that he is preparing for, both written and at interview.
The Tutor should be eloquent, able to explain concepts simply, and able to inspire the children with his or her enthusiasm for any given subject. The Tutor should be an exceptional role model, and diplomatic, polite and friendly at all times. It is essential that the Tutor speaks and writes impeccable English and holds a recognised teaching qualification. The Tutor should be organised, kind, fun, inspiring, efficient and flexible in their work.
In addition to the academic demands of this role, the Tutor is required to help the boy learn good manners and better techniques for interacting with people. He currently lacks some of the social norms regarding greeting adults and participating in adult conversation - he can be prone to avoiding eye contact, and his non-verbal communication needs to be brought up to a standard where he can properly acculturate with his peers. Again, none of these differences are a sign of anything other than the result of his bi-lingual upbringing, but are behaviours that need to be taught and learned in plenty of time for them to appear natural just six months from now.
The summer position is the first of two roles, with a full-time position starting in September 2015. The full-time Tutor will build on the work completed over the summer, again ensuring that the student is in the strongest possible position for the January 2016 exams. It is therefore imperative that the summer Tutor lays strong foundations from which the next Tutor can work.
Hours, Holidays, and Accommodation
The Tutor may be asked to accompany the family when they travel, which is quite frequently. During any periods of travel the Client will be responsible for all the Tutor's travel and accommodation expenses, and for all meals for any periods where the Tutor is accommodated in a hotel.
The Client will provide separate, furnished accommodation in the form of a coach house on the Client's property. This accommodation will have Internet. A room in the family home will be set aside as the schoolroom.
The Tutor is responsible for his or own meals except for any that occur during tutoring time. Meals that occur during tutoring time may be taken with the student on some occasions, at the Client's discretion.
Travel and Miscellaneous
No car will be provided for the Tutor, but the family does have a driver and this resource may be available from time to time for the Tutor to take the boy out. If any circumstances do merit the use of a car by the Tutor more frequently than currently anticipated, then the Client will rent one for the Tutor or reimburse the Tutor for renting one.
It is essential that the Tutor is a non-smoker, is fit and physically active and leads a healthy lifestyle, and in so doing sets the boy a good example.
The Client is aware that there may be additional expenses involved in a Tutor making him or herself available at such short notice for this position and for the duration of the summer (or for the long term role after the summer). They have generously offered to ensure that any losses, such as for rental deposit, relocation expenses, storage, cancelled vacations or for termination of existing contracts, will be made up to the Tutor. Any expenses sought under this offer will be agreed in writing with Tutors International in advance.
Contractual details
- Start: As soon as possible
- Duration: Until September 2015
- Hours: Average 50 per week
- Salary: £9,000 GBP per month
- Accommodation: Provided
- Car: n/a
- Vacation: n/a