Is it Time to Hire an English Tutor?

Based on an article by The Guardian, the 2019 National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) test results show that writing skills have declined for years 7 and 9 Australian students. The assessment includes reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and math.

High literacy is a critical skill in opening doors to better employment opportunities. Reading expands one’s knowledge to keep up with change. Being able to communicate oneself in writing is an essential trait to be ahead of one’s peers.

Therefore, as parents, we should support literacy in school as well as at home. Going one step ahead by hiring an English tutor is an investment in your child’s future.

To Avoid Textism from Leaking Into Schoolwork

Some educators attribute weak writing skills to the rise of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) or what is called “textese.” Based on an article by the National Institute of Health, the omission of words when texting, as well as the use of textisms, affect school work. 

To counteract the usage of textisms, an English tutor helps by exposing students to correct punctuation, grammar, complete sentences, and paragraph structure. Morphological awareness will also help them build their vocabulary by becoming conscious of root words, prefixes, and suffixes.

To Prepare Children for Assessment

An English tutor will help your children in building a strong foundation in English. As a result, they will have better chances of passing assessment tests like the Australia Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).  

Moreover, high ATAR pass rates will qualify them for scholarships like those given by the University of Sydney. Joining accelerated learning programs is another possibility for children with excellent English skills.

To Equip Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs can either be one of the following:

• Dyslexia, a learning disorder related to decoding letters and words
• Dyspraxia, famously known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), wherein a child’s movements lack coordination
• ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a medical condition wherein a child is unable to keep still and stay attentive.
• ADD, also called Attention Deficit Disorder, a kind of ADHD wherein a child has difficulty focusing on class lessons.
• ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, wherein children exhibit hostile and defiant behaviours towards authority figures
• Autism, which affects a child’s social skills, speech, and nonverbal communication
• Asperger syndrome (AS), a disorder affecting social interaction

According to an article by The Guardian, schools are neglecting disabled children. Unfortunately, the exclusion of children with special needs from school activities is happening.  

A patient English tutor is one of the best resources to equip them with skills to communicate and successfully transition to adulthood.

To Integrate Immigrants and Aborigines Into Society

Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics of 2018, out of 7.3 million migrants living in Australia, around 29% were born overseas. Children without English as the first language are called EAL/D (English Additional Language or Dialect) students. Also included in this group are aborigines and Torres Strait Islander students whose first language is an indigenous language or Aboriginal English.

One of their challenges is enrolling in courses without having sufficient English skills. A passing grade of at least 5.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required for them to get a student visa.

Therefore, if you are an immigrant or aborigine, it is critical to build your children’s foundation in the English language while they are still young. Working with an English tutor will help you achieve this goal.

Whatever your reason may be, it is never too late to equip your child with the best English skills. Entrusting your child to an excellent English tutor is worth the investment in time and money.