With contributions from: Angelica Rodriguez

Ever found yourself talking a mile a minute, only to realise your students have completely zoned out? Or maybe you’ve had the opposite problem, where the session is dragging and you're wondering if it's time for an intermission (even though you’re not in the theatre)?

Finding the right balance between speeding through material and taking it slow can be tricky, but when you nail it, the results are game-changing for both you and your students.

In this article, we’re going to dive into pacing and pitching your sessions to keep your learners engaged and on track. Think of it like Goldilocks: you want the pace to be just right. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Pacing: The art of keeping things just right

We’ve all been there - racing through a session and thinking, “I’m going to get through ALL of this today!” But how often does that lead to students feeling overwhelmed, or worse, checked out entirely?

On the flip side, slowing things down too much can make the session feel like it’s dragging on forever. So, how do you make it just right?

The Goldilocks Principle

Aim to keep your pacing just right by being mindful of the following:

Check in regularly: Pause every 10-15 minutes and ask a quick question or check for understanding. Not only does this give you insight into how they’re coping, but it helps break the session up and keeps them on their toes. For example, after teaching a science concept like the water cycle, ask, “Can you explain what happens after evaporation?” If they hesitate, slow down and revisit the tricky part.
Mix it up: Switch between different types of activities. One moment you’re discussing a concept, the next you’re giving them time to reflect or even try a hands-on task. Keeping things varied helps hold their attention.
Watch for signs of overwhelm: If you see signs that students are struggling to keep up, dial it back. If they’re whizzing through content, feel free to step it up a notch.

(And remember: it’s not a race!)

Pitching: Finding the sweet spot in difficulty

You’re the expert, but sometimes it’s easy to forget that students might not be on the same page. The key to pitching content is finding that perfect level of difficulty - challenging enough to keep them engaged, but not so hard they feel defeated.

To pitch your sessions effectively, you need to start by understanding your students’ current level of knowledge and confidence. This means asking yourself:

Are the tasks too easy or too hard?
Am I introducing new material too quickly or too slowly?
How engaged does the student seem?

The Secret Formula

Start with what they know: Begin with a quick recap of previous lessons or ask questions that remind them of their existing knowledge. This helps build confidence and gives you a gauge of where they’re at.
Use Scaffolding: Break down complex ideas into smaller chunks. Think of it like building a Lego tower - if you don’t have a solid base, the whole thing falls apart.
Feedback is your friend: If students are getting the content straight away, that’s great! But if they’re struggling, don’t be afraid to pause and offer a clearer explanation. Sometimes, slowing down the pitch can lead to breakthroughs.

Remember, small wins build confidence, while too much struggle can lead to frustration. It’s all about finding that “just right” level of challenge – not too simple, not overwhelming.

Example 1: Maths Problem-Solving
Imagine a student is learning percentages. If they’re confident with basic examples like finding 10% of 100, you might step it up by asking them to calculate a discount on an item in a sale. If they start to struggle, you could break the problem down into smaller steps, like finding 10% first and then multiplying it for different percentages.

Example 2: Writing a Paragraph
If you're helping a student with English, and they’re confident structuring sentences but struggling to connect ideas, try working together to write a simple paragraph before moving onto more complex tasks like essays. Start with topics they know, like their favourite hobby, before introducing less familiar prompts.

Finding the Balance

Pitching and pacing are interconnected. If your pitch is too high, students may feel overwhelmed, and the pace will slow as they struggle. If it’s too low, they may disengage, and the session will feel drawn-out.

The magic happens when both are in sync. Students feel challenged but supported, engaged but not rushed. They leave the session not just understanding more but feeling more confident in their ability to learn.

Striking the right balance takes practice, patience, and a good understanding of your student’s needs. But once you master pitching and pacing, you’ll see the difference it makes – not just in their academic progress but in their overall attitude towards learning.

After all, tutoring isn’t just about passing on knowledge – it’s about helping students build the resilience, curiosity, and confidence to keep learning long after the session ends.

A Challenge For You!

Pacing: During your next session, set a timer for each activity. When the timer goes off, pause and ask your students for feedback on how the session feels. Do they feel rushed? Do they need more time to absorb the content?

Pitching: Start with a fun ice-breaker question related to your lesson topic to gauge where your students are. It’ll give you a better idea of how much to challenge them and ensure they’re invested from the start.

Pacing & Pitching