Edgewater College
Private Teacher/Tutor Kaiako Whaiaro
Private teachers/tutors teach a specific skill or subject to individuals or small groups of children or adults.
Private teachers/tutors may do some or all of the following:
- plan lessons according to students' ability
- teach students the subject knowledge and skills they need
- assess and mark student work
- keep up to date with education curriculum changes and assessment methods
- keep up to date with technology, such as apps that enhance teaching
- prepare students for exams or assessments
- organise student performances or exhibitions
- keep records and write reports on students
- meet with parents, whānau/family or caregivers to discuss students' progress.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for private teachers/tutors includes:
- teaching or coaching adults or school students
- work with children, such as youth leader work.
Useful experience for private teachers/tutors in the arts also includes:
- playing, performing and composing – for music tutors
- working in theatre, film and radio – for drama tutors
- working as an artist – for art tutors
- performing on stage – for dance tutors.
Personal Qualities
Private teachers/tutors need:
- good communication skills and the ability to relate well to students from a range of backgrounds
- good organisational and time management skills
- to be understanding, patient and tolerant
- to be supportive and positive
- to be enthusiastic and open-minded
- to be good at networking with other teachers.
Skills
Private teachers/tutors need to have:
- teaching skills, and some knowledge of different teaching methods and learning styles
- knowledge of the subject they teach
- knowledge of the New Zealand curriculum if teaching subjects such as maths to school students
- curriculum assessment and planning skills
- skill in evaluating students' progress.
Conditions
Private teachers/tutors:
- often work part-time in the afternoons, evenings and weekends
- work in a variety of places, including schools, commercial premises, community centres and their own or students' homes
- may travel locally, to teach individual or small group lessons.
Subject Recommendations
NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include English, languages, maths, music and visual arts.
Related Options
Private Teacher/Tutors can earn around $28-$39 per hour.
Pay for private teachers/tutors varies depending on skills, experience and location.
- University students who work as private teachers/tutors can earn around $23 an hour.
- Private teachers/tutors working for a company who have a degree and/or a teaching qualification usually earn between $28 and $39 an hour.
- Self-employed private teachers/tutors with a degree and/or a teaching qualification can earn between $60 and $80 an hour.
Source: NZ Tutoring Association, 2020.
Private teachers/tutors may progress to a management position, or run their own business.
Private teachers/tutors may specialise in a particular subject including:
- the arts, such as art, dance, drama or music
- academic subjects, such as maths or English
- a language, such as te reo Māori or French.
Years Of Training
0-3 years of training usually required.There are no specific requirements to become a private teacher/tutor. However, many employers prefer to hire private teachers/tutors who have or are studying towards a degree in their subject area, or who have a teaching qualification or proof of completed specialist examinations.
- TeachNZ website - information on teaching, teacher training and scholarships
- Institute of Registered Music Teachers of NZ website - information about training courses and registration
The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.
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