Some students can breeze through their high school years without a problem. But most students need a little help along the way. When learning a foreign language, even the best students often run into challenges. Fortunately, a foreign language tutor can teach your student the strategies that will help him or her learn to speak, read and write with confidence.
The immediate benefits can be improved understanding and test scores. But the long-term benefits are greater still. Studies show even a modest mastery of a foreign language improves English vocabulary and writing skills, strengthens critical thinking and boosts memory. Even better, whether you learn French, Spanish or Arabic, discovering a new language unlocks compassion, cultural understanding and an ability to explore the world.
Here’s a look at 8 benefits of hiring a foreign language tutor.
1. A Language Tutor Helps You Learn How to Learn
Most schools require students to learn a foreign language. But many teachers, while fluent speakers, lack training in the proper techniques for language learning.
A good language tutor can help students develop the techniques and strategies to learn a foreign language. These study habits also transfer to other subjects. That’s one of the reasons schools continue to emphasize language learning.
Memorize large swaths of information. Comprehend a new system of thinking. Learn through failure. Build respect for different perspectives. These just a few of the skills foreign language learning imparts.
A great language tutor understands that multiplier effect. He or she can teach your student the strategies they need to be successful in their foreign language classroom and beyond.
2. Build and Memorize Vocabulary
Vocabulary development is one of the most difficult aspects of learning a new language. That’s particularly true for languages such as Arabic, when there are few English cognates and a different alphabet. To excel requires more than just brute force practice and memorization.
An experienced foreign language tutor can teach your student how to build vocabulary, master pronunciation and remember what they’ve learned. Tools may include games, songs, and flash cards. A tutor can also help build an action plan and the motivation for daily repetition. That regular practice will help your student fully absorb and use new vocabulary. Working with a tutor can help your student feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
3. Strengthen Grammar Skills
Grammar is no longer a major focus in today’s classrooms.
Students who are unfamiliar with grammatical terms and concepts can become especially frustrated without the aid of a language tutor. Imagine what happens when a language teacher introduces parts of speech, verb tenses or sentence structure? Naturally, the teacher expects students to recognize the English equivalent. Students who understand the rules of grammar have a significant advantage when learning a foreign language.
A language tutor can help students build their grammatical skills. By studying French, Spanish or Arabic, the tutor can guide your child through the commonalities and differences between English and the language they study.
Just as importantly, knowledge of grammar improves standardized test taking and college writing. While many school districts no longer place an emphasis on grammar, it’s still a focus of many standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. Likewise, arriving on campus with good grammar skills is one way to impress picky professors.
4. Benefit from One-On-One Language Instruction
Today’s students are usually learning in crowded classrooms. Worse, they may be isolated at home. Unfortunately, neither of these environments encourages language learning.
Crowded classrooms are overwhelming for some students. Students don’t receive enough individual help and may feel hesitant to ask questions or participate in class.
At the same time, Remote learners often feel disconnected from their learning. Without individual instruction or teamwork, enthusiasm wanes.
One of the benefits of a language tutor is one-on-one instruction. Students enjoy personalized attention. They can ask questions, receive feedback and address their specific challenges. Using an individualized approach, a language tutor can assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Then, they can focus on just what the student needs most. Equally, students feel more comfortable sharing their struggles, asking for help, and practicing new skills in a one-on-one environment.
5. Improve Public Speaking Skills
Foreign language study often requires impromptu speaking in front of a class or within a group. Speaking up can be tough for shy or introverted students. But sinking into the back of the classroom is never a recipe for successful language learning.
A good language tutor understands that strong speaking skills require practice in a comfortable, low-pressure setting. By steadily building confidence, young language learners can overcome their fear of embarrassment. In the right environment, they also learn to laugh off their inevitable mistakes. Or, they gain the confidence to improvise or “talk around” when they don’t know the precise word.
A skilled language tutor can also tailor these speaking sessions to topics that interest the student, which keeps motivation high and helps make the connection between classroom language studies and everyday life.
6. Feel More at Ease
Language skills can be a struggle for many students. When a child struggles in class, they may feel hesitant to raise their hand or ask a question.
Tutoring provides a safe space for students to learn. They can work at their own pace to master difficult concepts.
A tutor provides a low-stress and no-judgement learning environment for students. That’s particularly true when the tutor is a good match for the student’s learning style and personality.
7. Appreciate Other Cultures
It’s easy to get lost memorizing vocabulary and remembering grammar rules. When that happens, students forget that learning a foreign language is a window into a new culture.
A tutor who is passionate about the foreign language can connect the language to the people who speak it. A great language tutor will use a student’s own interests to build enthusiasm for the language and culture. For instance, fashion, food, sports and music are topics that can make language learning both fun and relatable.
Learning another language broadens a student’s perspective. It teaches them a deeper appreciation for diversity and the value of being a good global citizen.
8. Invest in their Future
Language tutoring reaps lasting benefits for students. Better study habits, improved memory and fact retention, stronger writer skills and confidence in public speaking are just a few of the gifts a foreign language imparts. Maybe your student is bound for future adventures in Paris, Cairo or Mexico City. Or maybe they put aside foreign language study after high school.
In either case, successful foreign language study sets students on the path to being a better scholar.
The Benefits of Hiring a Language Tutor
Whether your child is struggling in their foreign language class or just hoping to master a flawless accent, a language tutor can help. Most students thrive in a one-on-one learning environment. A quality language tutor can assess your student’s needs and provide tailor-made instruction to help your child improve and achieve their learning goals.
Our goal is to help your student succeed and reach their academic potential. Contact us today to learn more.