Background

Over the years SPELD registered tutors have played a vital role in assisting children and adults with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. A good teacher, using specialized teaching methods, can make a significant impact on a student’s success and self-confidence.

Tutors

Tutors on the SPELD register have current SA teacher registration and a minimum of two years’ classroom experience. In addition, they have received specialist training through SPELD (SA) in the teaching of children and adults with specific learning difficulties.

Application for a Tutor

If you would like us to arrange a tutor for you, please complete and send the Tutor Allocation Forms with a cheque/money order for $75 (GST included). Once these are received, we will arrange for a tutor to contact you by phone. Tutor allocation is done weekly. The process will take approximately 10 days from receipt of your form.

If you have any concerns, once tutoring has commenced, please do not hesitate to discuss these, in the first instance, with your tutor and then with SPELD (SA).

Setting

Tutors can teach you or your child in your own home or their home, whichever is more convenient. In some cases your child’s school may agree to tutoring taking place there. A specific day and time is agreed upon by you and the tutor to suit you both. The current average hourly rate for a tutor is $50. This is a private contractual agreement between you and the tutor. Fees are payable on the day of tutoring by the parent or student or payment may be made in advance if this is more convenient.

Homework

Most tutors set homework designed to consolidate the work done during the tutorial session. This usually involves 10 to 15 minutes practice, for example, in reading, phonics or spelling 5 times a week. Tutoring does mean an extra workload on top of the student’s normal school homework and negotiation may be needed with your child’s school to ensure that they are not overloaded.

Liaison

To be successful, ongoing support by all involved with your child’s education is vitally important. It is important for parents to be fully involved and supportive. The student needs all our patience, understanding and support to gain the maximum advantage from individual tutoring. There is no magic wand.

Your tutor is fully committed to helping you or your child to overcome any identified learning difficulties.

Reporting and Feedback

Parents are encouraged to discuss their child’s progress on a regular basis, either after the lesson, if time and circumstances permit, or by ‘phone. Tutors provide a written report twice yearly.


Costs

1 time allocation fee of $75 ($25 for current members)

$50 (from Jan 1, 2010) per 1 hour lesson