Being The Tutor
As a Yipiyap tutor, you can play a crucial role in supporting students and helping them achieve their academic goals. We know that stepping into this new role can be exciting yet challenging – it’s a fresh environment, and being close in age to your students brings its own unique opportunities! In this article, we'll be digging deeper into what it truly means to be a tutor; pulling apart the common issues that our Yipiyaps face, and giving you our top tips on how to navigate these challenges. From your relationships with students, confidence in the classroom and professional boundaries. we’ll be equipping you with everything you need to be the best tutor you can be!
Relationships with Students
Developing a positive relationship with your students is fundamental to successful tutoring, but due to the closeness in age, we know that it can sometimes be a little tricky to establish yourself as both a friendly and authoritative figure. Here's how to strike the right balance:
Set clear expectations from the start
From the first sessions, once you’ve taken a little while to get to know each other, make sure to set clear boundaries and expectations for the sessions. This could include establishing that you’re there to help them succeed academically, ensuring that time is focused on learning, while also creating an open and respectful environment. For example, you might begin your first session by explaining how you can help with their work but keeping conversations related to lessons or school topics.
Be friendly, not familiar
It’s natural to want your students to like you, and being approachable helps them feel comfortable. However, it’s important to avoid becoming overly familiar. For instance, while it’s fine to share enthusiasm for common interests like sports or hobbies, steer clear of discussing personal topics or details from your own life. Instead, use positive encouragement and celebrate their academic progress to strengthen the tutor-student bond. For example, if a student shares a story about their weekend, you can acknowledge it with interest but gently steer the conversation back to the subject you're working on. "That sounds like a fun weekend! Let’s see how we can get this problem solved so you can enjoy the next one even more."Maintain professional communication
Always use professional language when communicating with your students. Avoid slang or casual texting language in emails or messages. Instead, keep your tone polite, helpful, and to the point. Even if you’re chatting during a session, keeping a clear distinction between casual and professional language is essential to maintain respect and authority.Be a role model
One of the best ways to demonstrate professionalism is by demonstrating the behaviour you'd expect from your students. Arriving on time for sessions, staying organised, and following up on commitments shows your students that you value their time and education. This builds trust and sets a positive example for them. By following these guidelines, you’ll not only be supporting your students’ learning but also teaching them valuable lessons about boundaries and professionalism that will benefit them in the future.
Confidence in the classroom
How you carry yourself in the classroom can significantly impact how students connect and engage with you. Your voice and body language are two powerful tools that go beyond the content you're teaching. By using clear voice projection, you ensure your instructions are understood, while strong, open body language builds trust and encourages participation. These subtle but important elements help create a focused, supportive learning environment, setting the tone for productive sessions.
Voice and Projection
Your voice is one of your most important tools as a tutor, as it enhances clarity, engagement, and classroom management. By varying tone and volume, you can maintain student interest and boost their confidence. Here’s how to use your voice effectively:
Speak clearly: Enunciate your words and try to avoid mumbling!
Vary your tone: Use inflection to emphasise important points and maintain interest. For example, if you were a Science tutor explaining the water cycle to a small group, you could use different voice levels to illustrate the process. Speak softly for "evaporation", raise your voice for "condensation", and use a dramatic tone for "precipitation". This vocal variety can keep students engaged and help them remember the stages!
Adjust volume: Ensure you're heard without shouting. Practice projecting your voice from your diaphragm. For example, if you’re working a noisy classroom environment, learning to project your voice from your diaphragm allows you to speak clearly without shouting, even when moving around the room to help different students.
Pace yourself: Speak at a moderate speed, allowing time for your students to process information.
Use appropriate language: Avoid slang or overly casual speech in the classroom.
Watch this video for more help on how to project your voice!
Pro tip: Record yourself explaining a concept and listen back. This can help you identify areas for improvement in your vocal delivery!
Body Language
Nonverbal communication is just as important as what you say. It reinforces your spoken words and helps convey emotions, making lessons more impactful. Body language, eye contact, and gestures build rapport and trust, allowing students to feel more comfortable and engaged. Here’s how you can master each element to your benefit:
Maintain eye contact: This shows you're engaged and helps hold students' attention. For example, during a one-to-one session, if you notice a student avoiding eye contact when discussing a challenging topic, you can gently encourage eye contact by positioning yourself at eye level and using an open, friendly expression. This helps build trust and makes the student more comfortable asking questions.
Use open gestures: Avoid crossing your arms or turning away from students. Instead, stand or sit with your arms at your sides or use your hands to illustrate points, this invites students to interact without fear of judgement!
Move purposefully: Walking around the room can help engage different students and manage the class. For example, in a small group setting, if you find that some students at the back are becoming distracted, start moving around the table as you speak, standing near different students throughout the session. This subtle movement keeps everyone's attention and allows you to provide individual support more easily.
Show enthusiasm: Your energy and passion for the subject can be contagious. When you show genuine excitement about what you’re teaching, it naturally draws students in. If you have any personal anecdotes/experiences that match to the subject of the lesson, feel free to share them!
Be aware of personal space: Maintain appropriate distance to respect students' comfort levels.
Watch this video for more tips on how to use body language effectively in the classroom!
Professionalism
As a final point, we thought it would be helpful to provide you with a quick refresh on some of Yipiyap's policies and expectations. Following these throughout the year will ensure you are taking all the right steps when it comes to being a Yipiyap tutor. Please refer to these throughout the year. Head to our Induction Hub to find these policies in their full form.
Dress appropriately: Follow Yipiyap's dress code, which prohibits jeans, trainers, hats, or any other casual wear during the school day. Facial piercings must be removed or covered, and visible tattoos must be covered at all times.
Be punctual: Arrive early to prepare and set a good example. If you're going to be late, contact your Regional Director or line manager immediately.
Maintain confidentiality: Don't discuss students' performance or personal information outside of appropriate channels.
Respect privacy: Ensure that any work-related communications, whether in person, by phone, or online, are held privately and out of earshot of unauthorised parties.
Follow communication protocols: Use only school/college-approved platforms for communication with students. Never use personal communication channels.
Maintain academic integrity: Support students in their learning, but never engage in activities that might undermine academic standards.
Attend training: Participate in all relevant training and developmental meetings, even if they fall outside your normal working hours.
Submit required documentation: Complete and submit registers (if required) and timesheets as instructed by your Regional Director.
Important policy notes
Do not engage with students outside of the classroom/school/college environment or Yipiyap-arranged online tutorial sessions.
Never share personal contact details (phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts) with students.
Do not take photographs of students unless you have prior written approval from a Regional Director or senior member of the Senior Leadership Team.
If you know a student outside of your tutoring role, you must declare this relationship to both Yipiyap and the school/college.
Make all your social media accounts private for the duration of your contract with Yipiyap.
Conclusion
As a Yipiyap tutor, you play a crucial role in shaping your students' academic experiences and helping them achieve their goals. While stepping into this new role can be challenging - especially when you’re close in age to your students - remember that you possess the tools to thrive. By focusing on building positive relationships, mastering your voice/body language and showing genuine empathy, you can create a welcoming environment that fosters learning.
Utilise your voice effectively to enhance engagement: speak clearly, vary your tone, and adjust your volume to maintain interest. Your body language, including maintaining eye contact and using open gestures, will further reinforce your connection with students, making them feel comfortable and valued.
Moreover, maintaining professionalism and setting appropriate boundaries is key. By dressing appropriately, being punctual, and respecting confidentiality, you demonstrate your commitment to your role and the trust your students place in you.
Embrace each tutoring session as an opportunity to inspire and connect with your students. With practice and dedication, you can excel in your role as a Yipiyap tutor and make a lasting impact on your students' lives. Let your passion shine through, and enjoy the rewarding experience of guiding your students on their educational journeys!
