Private Tutor – Zurich

Students

The students, a boy (9) and his sister (7), are currently enrolled in the Swiss public school system. After their Montessori kindergarten, they have found the formal approach to learning quite uninspiring. The children speak German with their father, Catalan and Spanish with their mother, and also English at home. As a result, while they speak all these languages fluently, they are slightly behind their expected reading and writing levels in both German and English. 

They have both struggled socially in the local school and have found the last 2 years verydraining. The boy is frustrated and has started to believe he is ‘stupid’ - his sister deals with this by switching off and disengaging. They appear fearful of going to school on occasion. Their parents are planning to move the children into the international school system, and they have already visited one. However, there is a possibility that they will not be able to start until January 2025. In the interim, they are looking for an excellent tutor to home school them and prepare them for their move to the international/bilingual system.

The young man is a polite, bright and friendly boy. He is cautious when discussing his teachers but is respectful and looks to find positives about the school day. He appears to have difficulty retaining information and vocabulary on occasion, and is struggling to fit in with his peers. As an example, he recently apologised to his mother as he ‘had to swear 4 times today’ to join in with his peer group. He is unhappy about this but doesn’t feel he has a choice. 

The young man describes himself as sporty. He enjoys football, tennis, basketball, swimming, surfing and especially skiing. When engaged with a topic, he is full of interesting questions and curious to learn more. He is fascinated with the natural world and as a well-travelled young man, already has a wealth of experiences to draw on. He is also learning to play piano and enjoys music. 

His sister is a lovely, open, and friendly young lady, who is confident and well-mannered. She dislikes her current ‘shouty’ teacher and was very excited about how friendly and approachable both the teachers and pupils were at the international school they visited. She particularly liked the mediation room approach to working out differences between students. 

Unfortunately, the girl is also despondent about her academic abilities and is starting to become disinterested in her schoolwork and homework. She enjoys ballet, tennis and is also an excellent skier like her brother, but her real passion is for arts and crafts, in particular crocheting. She is also learning to play the piano.

Both children are delightful and will be a pleasure for a nurturing, positive and skilled educator to engage and support over the coming months.

Role of the Tutor

The Tutor’s main role will be ensuring that both the children are at the level they need to be to thrive at an international school. A focus on core skills including reading and written English and German as well as mathematics will be required. The Tutor will need to design a timetable that covers all the subjects required by the Swiss Leerplannen and liaise with the international school the parents choose, to ensure the children are at the level they need to be before joining. 

As important as the academic aspects of the role, the parents are looking for a nurturing, compassionate and positive teacher who can motivate and reignite their love of learning, whilst building their confidence and belief in their own abilities. The Tutor will need to be personable and enthusiastic. An excellent track record with primary children is essential. They will also need to be fluent and able to teach in both English and German. A good sense of humour and ability to make lessons amusing and memorable is desirable.

At the family home in Zurich, a designated schoolroom will be made available as the teaching space, complete with interactive whiteboard. The tentative plan is to teach a full timetable in the morning, leaving the afternoons for activities. The parents are keen to ensure the children socialise with other children through sports activities and other extra-curricular clubs and playdates, and the Tutor will help to organise these. This may involve escorting the children to and from external activities, or organising educational trips themselves. During periods of travel, the Tutor will need to be flexible, creative and accommodating, and able to make the most of any locations the family will be visiting. 

The appointed candidate will be highly educated, intelligent, well-travelled, responsible, practical, and down-to-earth, with a strong sense of fun and a wide range of personal interests they can bring to the role. The Tutor needs to be physically fit and active. The Tutor will responsibly promote sensible habits in relation to electronic device usage. The family expect technology to be a tool for the children to master in life, but they also need to be able to manage themselves without it.

The Tutor will also need to be organised and tidy. The parents expect the Tutor to model and encourage impeccable manners and respectful behaviour towards others and their environment, including ensuring the children help keep the schoolroom clean and tidy, and clearing up after themselves in the kitchen after snack/lunchtimes. The parents are keen for the children to grow up as well-mannered and respectful young people.

Hours and Holidays, Accommodation and Travel

In Zurich, the Tutor will be expected to work with the children for around 40 hours per week, with preparation in addition. 

The Tutor will be entitled to an average of two consecutive days off per week, normally at the weekend, but may need to be flexible regarding the family’s travel plans and the children’s other activities.

The Tutor will be flexible with respect to any changes in schedule, be they travel-related or otherwise and will adapt accordingly. The Client will strive to give up to two weeks’ notice of any planned alterations. Due to the short-term nature of this contract, there will be no holiday allowance accrued.

The Client will provide the Tutor with private, furnished accommodation near the family house in Zurich. When travelling, the Client will also ensure the Tutor stays in private accommodation.

The Client will provide use of a car or a public transport allowance, whichever is most suitable. All expenses will be covered by the Client except for the Tutor’s personal phone bill and fuel.

Miscellaneous

The Tutor must be a fit and healthy non-smoker – active and energetic with a love for the outdoors; the kind of person who always makes the most of their environment to enhance teaching and learning opportunities. They must also be a competent driver.

The ideal applicant will have plenty of experience, enthusiasm and energy. They must be capable of adapting their teaching to fit the variable circumstances of working with two young children at home or while travelling. The family are close and are keen for a friendly and fun learning environment for their children.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit: 

tijobs.net/570