Tutors are not required when starting out, but you will want to work with them eventually. This may be to prepare for your O level Chinese or simply just to learn a new language! However, certain myths regarding Chinese teachers must be dispelled before you waste your time and money. So, let us define what a tutor is.
Use Chinese Tutors to Point Out Errors
The most valuable asset of native instructors is their acute understanding of the Chinese language, which has been developed through countless hours of immersion in the language. As a result, they can sense when anything is wrong as quickly as you can in English.
More crucially, they may provide sample sentences for how to employ terms appropriately. However, don’t bother wondering “why” something is correct or wrong. If you do, you will likely receive no response or a fabricated one.
The Chinese tutor should take notes on anything you need to improve on throughout your session without continuously disrupting the flow of the talk. Then, once the talk has been completed or reached a stalemate, the instructor can go over them with you and undertake supervised practice to address any recurring concerns.
Don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake, but don’t try to guess how a word or phrase is used if you don’t already know. If you do this too often, your mistakes may become bad habits, which you do not want. When you don’t know how to say something, just ask (in Mandarin).
Establish Ground Rules and Maintain Control
Working with the teacher to develop a lesson style that makes you look forward to each session is crucial.
Before starting your first session, discuss what lessons you want to provide and ensure everyone is on board with doing things your way. An excellent Chinese tutor will listen to what you want and be adaptable.
Take Extensive Notes from Your Chinese Tutor
During tutoring sessions, request that your tutor write down all of your errors and provide you with a report later. This also helps them to identify recurring errors to work on with you in class. Highly-rated Chinese teachers will frequently email you a file containing homework assignments, questions, and new words/phrases mentioned throughout the session.
To Give Encouragement
Genuine encouragement occurs when a Chinese tutor recognises your progress and informs you at the right moment. Observe how your tutor corrects you throughout your first few classes.
Passive Vocabulary Activation
Although speaking and writing are primarily results of input, they require distinct and lengthy practice if you wish to create the language fluently and correctly.
Enter the session and attempt to conduct meaningful and engaging dialogues with the terms you’ve learned from listening and reading. Experiment with your knowledge and ask plenty of questions about how to utilise any new terminology.
