Junior college (JC) Economics can be a daunting and stressful subject for students, especially with their A-Levels slowly approaching. The complexities of both micro-economics and macro-economics require memorisation, critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and good essay writing skills, all of which can be sharpened with the right guidance. If your child is struggling with their Economics subject, it may be time to start looking for tutoring lessons to help improve their understanding of it.

Struggling with supply & demand? Learn with a economics tutor who makes complex topics simple and exam-ready!

But how do you know you’ve found the right tutor for the job? Here are 7 key qualities to look for before hiring an Economics tutor.

1. Strong Academic Background in Economics

The first thing to look for in an Economics tutor is their credentials. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Economics or a related field is a good baseline, but one important thing to look out for is proof of their knowledge in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level syllabus. Consider former MOE teachers or tutors trained at NIE, as they’re likely familiar with the A-Level Economics syllabus and teaching methodology. These tutors can focus their lessons around the topics that they expect will show up on the A-Level Economics examinations.

2. Flexible Teaching Style

Every student has a different learning process, and as such, some teaching techniques may be effective on some but ineffective on others. A good tutor knows how to adapt their teaching style according to each student. This not only helps them grasp the subject better, but it also builds the student’s motivation throughout their tutoring sessions.

3. Communicative with Parents

It’s important to work with tutors who are honest and communicative with their students’ parents. This is so that parents know about the progress made, the bumps that their children may have encountered along the way, and how both the tutor and the student are working to overcome them. If you believe you’ve found a good tutor, consider asking about setting up regular check-ins to ensure your child is on the right track.

4. Motivating and Empathetic Towards Students

Motivation is a big factor to consider when tutoring students, especially if they are struggling with a particular subject. An encouraging and motivating tutor removes any pressure from the student, allowing the tutor to help them improve their understanding without stress.

It’s also important to look for a tutor with empathy. For these young students, scoring high in their A-Levels is one of the most important goals. It’s important for the tutor to know and understand the gravity of their feelings and personal circumstances, so that the students become more receptive towards their guidance.

5. Patience Towards Students

While some students may be able to grasp any lesson thrown at them quickly and easily, other students may continue to struggle even after repeated attempts. This is especially true for a rigorous subject like A-Level Economics, which delves into intricate topics such as market failure and government intervention, the price mechanism, elasticity concepts, and macroeconomic issues like balance of payments, exchange rates, and economic policy trade-offs.

If the tutor loses their patience with a struggling student, it might affect their motivation and result in low marks in their tests and A-Levels. Understanding that each student has their own pace and that some might have a longer learning curve is crucial. A good tutor must avoid showing frustration and instead adjust their approach to match the student’s needs.

6. Free of Personal Bias

Tutors are responsible for guiding a large number of students, all of whom share the same goal. As such, it’s important to make sure that the tutor is free from any kind of bias. They must understand that every student in their classroom, regardless of personal circumstances, is deserving of the same level of effort and attention in order to improve their Economics grades. If you’re unsure about a tutor’s ability to avoid bias, check testimonials and reviews from current and former students.

7. Committed, Punctual, and Consistent

The last thing you want to do is pay for an Economics tutor who constantly arrives late or reschedules tutoring sessions with their students. Consistency is key for a student to grasp any lessons covered during the sessions, and they might struggle more if the pacing is ruined due to a tutor’s lack of commitment or professionalism.

To support consistency and engagement, some parents may opt for small group sessions, which can provide a sense of structure and peer motivation. However, one-on-one tutoring remains highly effective for students who benefit from personalised guidance and undivided attention.

Academic Success Is Possible If You Choose the Right Economics Tutor

A good economics tutor balances a flexible and effective teaching style with proper guidance and encouragement. This allows students to absorb each topic in a conducive and supportive learning environment and achieve their ideal grades. A qualified tutor with soft skills such as empathy, patience, and adaptability can leave a positive impact on their students long after they have passed their A-Level Economics exams.