Private Tutor - Hong Kong

STUDENTS

There are three students – two girls, ages 10 and 8, and one boy, 5. All of them currently attend a school in Hong Kong. 

The oldest girl is a bright young lady and speaks excellent English. When she reads in English, she is able to decode nearly everything. However, her comprehension is relatively weak for her age, and that might affect her writing as well. Her father would like her to be more self-assured and have a stronger character, just like one of her friends whom she currently likes to follow around. She enjoys various sports – athletics in particular, including running and high jump. She describes her favourite teachers as fair and considerate, while her least favourite teachers are the ones who don’t apply rules in a sensible way.

The younger girl is a delight.  She appears to be very academic and enjoys reading. She is able to decode most of the words she reads, but there are a considerable number of words she does not know the meaning of and which she has not yet gained the self-discipline to look up as she finds them. Given that her favourite subject is English, there is certainly some work to be done to ensure that she is level with her peers in the kind of competitive entry schools to which she later aspires to attend.

At the age of 5, the boy has yet to display any strong or weak points academically. Like most boys of his age, he enjoys sports, especially football.

The ultimate goal is for the children to attend one of the best English boarding (or possibly day) schools after their GCSEs.

ROLE OF THE TUTOR

The Tutor’s role is to provide structured after school support and extension material, with the main focus being on getting the children into the school of their choice for the start of their sixth forms. The school choices are yet to be decided, and advice at this level will become part of the Tutor’s remit in due course. The age difference among the three children, together with the long-term nature of the role, requires the Tutor to have familiarity and experience with Key Stages 1-4. Preferably, the Tutor will have taught at one of the top British schools, and therefore be familiar with the standards and full range of subjects required by them.

As with all after school support roles, the Tutor will firstly need to ensure that the children have a solid understanding of the lessons taught to them during the day, and that their homework is competed to a high standard. 

The Tutor should work with the children to encourage them across their school subjects and help build their confidence in areas which they are currently relatively weak. They should introduce new study skills and techniques, effective study methods, as well as revision strategies and stress management exercises that will be of use to them throughout their academic and professional life. 

The Tutor will need to be sporty and able to help the children feel more confident of expressing their own personalities. The idea would be for the Tutor to help them become more outgoing, well rounded, and capable by acting as a role model and helping them emulate their own behaviours.

The Tutor will need at least conversational Mandarin – if not fluent Mandarin – as the children’s parents do not have any English. Understanding of music and art and the ability to play an instrument would also be beneficial. 

This role requires a resourceful, intelligent and knowledgeable Tutor who is relaxed and easy-going with a sunny disposition on the one hand whilst also firm, encouraging and sensible on the other. They should be a qualified teacher and an excellent communicator and record-keeper, able to spot areas of weakness and address them effectively before serious problems develop. The Tutor should be adventurous and engaging – they should have a wide range of interests which they can share with the family, and their enthusiasm for and natural curiosity of the world around them should be infectious.

The Tutor should set a good example for the children through their behaviour and conduct. It is essential that the Tutor remain professional at all times and respectful of the family’s privacy.

HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

The Tutor is expected to work for an average of up to 35 hours a week, providing after school support and at weekends. The requisite preparation should be completed in the Tutor’s own time during the day. 

The likely working hours during term time will be 10 hours on each of Saturday and Sunday, and Wednesday to Friday from 3pm to 8pm. The Tutor is entitled to two consecutive days off per week. These will be usually be Monday and Tuesday. During school holidays, the hours will likely be spread over weekdays with weekends off instead. The Tutor should be flexible about these arrangements to fit with the needs of the family.

There may be times when, due to travel considerations, the Tutor accumulates untaken ‘weekend’ days. If this happens the Tutor will either be given additional time off or will be compensated by payment in lieu at the prevailing rate. Likewise, the Tutor will be entitled to nine (9) weeks off per annum at times convenient to both the Tutor and the Client.

ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, AND MISCELLANEOUS

The Client will provide suitable, safe, private, accommodation in a location yet to be decided. The Client will be responsible for all expenses on this accommodation except for the Tutor’s personal phone bills, food shopping in Hong Kong, or any personal expenses the Tutor incurs that are not work-related.

The Client will cover an annual pass for Hong Kong’s public transport system. On the rare occasions that the Tutor needs to take the children anywhere not covered by public transport, taxis will be possible.

The Tutor should lead a healthy lifestyle and be in good physical shape. It will be essential that the Tutor enjoys sports and travel.

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

tijobs.net/463