Education / Further education Tutoring German

Tutoring in German can be extremely useful in many situations for pupils, students, professionals and other target groups. On the one hand, of course, for pupils who are unable to follow the subject matter and will not achieve the learning objectives set without further help. This may be because they do not understand the subject matter and need a more in-depth explanation, for which there is not enough time at school. Or it may be that they do not have the necessary motivation to learn independently at home and need homework supervision. Another reason may be that parents or older siblings are unable to help them with their homework and learning for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of time, because they do not have the necessary skills themselves or because they do not speak German. German tutoring is particularly useful for foreign-language children or children whose parents speak poor German if their school performance and pronunciation do not meet expectations. It can also be beneficial before certain exams in order to consolidate content, fill in gaps in knowledge or acquire a writing routine.

But it's not just school-age children who take advantage of tutoring in German, adults can also benefit from it. Particularly for foreign speakers of all ages, targeted support with the German language and especially grammar can be very helpful in order to find their way better in everyday life or to improve their own chances of gaining employment or vocational training. Depending on your language skills and deficits, however, you may also be advised to attend a language course that builds up your general language skills step by step and, if necessary, issues the required language diplomas. You can also find information about language schools for German here on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.

This question is generally difficult to answer. Some pupils only have minor problems understanding grammatical rules, while others lack reading skills even in the upper school. Depending on the type and extent of the existing deficits, tutoring in German can be useful on an ad hoc basis, e.g. before exams or to fill in small gaps in knowledge, or can be remedied exclusively through regular attendance at a tutoring session. Set yourself a learning goal that you discuss with the tutor. What should be achieved in what period of time? For children who (can) receive little support from their parents at home, regular weekly tutoring in German can be important. As parents, it is best to discuss your concerns with the school and your child's teacher and ask for their assessment.

There are plenty of tutors out there, so it is not always easy to find the right person or institution from the large selection. First of all, think about whether you want private tutoring or a professional learning institute and whether the lessons should be one-to-one or in groups. Once you have made your decision, you should ask around, especially among friends, what experiences they have already had and also look online for reviews from former students. You can do this via Facebook or, in the case of schools, via Google. You should note that German tutoring institutes usually only allow you to learn on the school's premises, so you or your child will have to travel to the tutor for each lesson. Private tutors usually offer to give lessons at your home, thus saving you time and travel expenses. You should take this into account when making your choice, as well as the qualifications of the tutor. Do not book a subscription in advance that obliges you to attend tutoring sessions for ten lessons or even half a year. Instead, ask for a trial lesson and see how the working relationship works and how the learning methods suit you or your child. Because not every tutor, no matter how qualified he or she may seem, is suitable for every tutoring student. You will have to test it out to find the person who can offer the right support.

The cost of tutoring in German can vary greatly depending on the provider and requirements. Private tutors offer private lessons from as little as CHF 20 per hour, lessons with professional tutors cost between CHF 50 and CHF 80 for individual lessons, slightly less for group lessons and between CHF 50 and CHF 120 in learning institutes. For special target groups and requirements, e.g. in preparation for entrance exams at secondary schools or Universities, the costs can also be higher. Individual prices should always be requested in advance. Subscriptions for several lessons are usually cheaper.

The most important requirement for a German tutor is that he or she speaks German at a native speaker level. This does not mean that he or she has to be German or German, but that he or she did not learn German as a foreign language only a few years ago. The teacher's training is also an important selection criterion, especially in higher classes or for special exam preparation. Trained teachers and experienced learning coaches are an asset, especially for secondary school pupils who have great difficulty writing good texts or communicating clearly and without errors. For primary school pupils, on the other hand, who have not yet fully understood certain grammar rules, for example, or who lack reading exercises, secondary school pupils can also provide valuable support. The qualifications of the tutors should therefore always be adapted to the level of the pupils.

Many private individuals offer tutoring in German, but pupils, professionals and students can also get help in this subject at special tutoring schools. Lessons in schools often take place as a group course, unlike private tutors. However, individual courses can also be booked on request at most schools, but then come at a price. Another alternative are online learning platforms and lessons via Skype or other digital channels, where learners do not have to travel to the school location and do a lot of self-study. However, this is not suitable for everyone; children and young people in particular, who lack discipline and motivation, benefit little from such tutoring options. The target groups for the individual offers are also sometimes different and are aimed at primary school pupils, secondary school pupils, grammar school pupils, vocational school pupils, students, pupils preparing for special entrance examinations, such as Gymnasium, BMS, HMS, IMS or FMS, or professionals who want to finally close their knowledge gaps. Some schools also offer vacation courses where children and young people can receive intensive German tutoring during the vacations and thus improve their knowledge in a short period of time.