November 27, 2024
This interview was written by Evelien de Vor.
Meet tutoring teacher Isa
and tutor Toin.
Isa: I am Isa, I am currently in my third year of studying Psychology and I am 20 years old.
And just to clarify: Isa, you are the tutoring teacher, and Toin, you are the tutoring student. Toin, how long have you been tutoring with BLIJLES and how did you end up with BLIJLES back then?
Toin: I've been tutoring math for two months now, and I came here because my brother, Naut, works here within the organization.
Toin: Yes, right.
Do you notice that in the past two months you have progressed and understand the material better?
Toin: Definitely. I came here for math tutoring, and Isa explains it in a way that works well for me. As a result, I understand the material a lot better now than I did before.
Great to hear from you! Isa, how long have you been tutoring at BLIJLES and what subjects do you tutor in?
What do you enjoy most about tutoring at BLIJLES?
Isa: The thing I enjoy most is adapting the tutoring to the student and the specific request for help. I have had many different students, and everyone needs a different approach.
How exactly does that approach differ between students?
Isa: Some students only need a short explanation and pick up everything quickly, while others need more guidance. That difference is what makes the work fun.
What skills have you gained yourself from tutoring?
Isa: I have also learned to plan and present better myself. By explaining a lot to students, presenting has become much easier. In study groups I take the lead faster, while in high school I was quite shy. That has really changed through tutoring at BLIJLES!
How nice! Toin, how would you describe Isa as a tutoring teacher, and what does she do well to help you?
Isa, what do you like most about the tutoring you do for Toin?
Toin, do you notice that the tutoring has made you more confident, for example, in learning or planning?
Toin: It has definitely helped already! Because before, I didn't actually use a calendar, and Isa has taught me how Google Calendar works, so we can better schedule the tutoring together....
What would you say to other students who are unsure about taking tutoring from BLIJLES?
How nice to hear, Toin. And you Isa, what would you say to other students who are unsure if they want to teach as a tutor at BLIJLES?
Isa: What I like about BLIJLES is the great flexibility. You schedule your own lessons, in consultation with your students, which makes it easy to combine with other commitments. In addition, BLIJLES offers a lot of support. For example, if things are a bit more difficult with a student, you can always count on quick help. The personal character of the company also makes it very pleasant to work here. And another plus is that our tutoring is so accessible thanks to our low rates.
Can you tell a little more about that support? What makes BLIJLES' support unique?
Isa: At BLIJLES you can always count on immediate support if a student does not show up or cancels often. The company makes sure you are well protected as a tutor and offers quick and clear help. I find that really different from what I hear from friends who work at other tutoring companies. There, action is often not taken immediately in such situations.
So there is a good safety net for BLIJLES teachers?
Toin, looking back at the tutoring you've had so far, obviously you've only just started, what is the best advice Isa has given you? Or is that still the agenda?
Indeed, can already be very useful!
Toin: Yes, definitely very useful. And in addition, Isa knows very well which topics are in the exams. During the tutoring she says, for example, which sums are and are not important.
That's nice, though, that Isa helps you focus on the important aspects. Isa, have you ever received valuable advice from a student?
Isa: Yes, a student once said that I could be clearer in my communication. It's very nice when students are clear themselves, but I realized that I need to convey that structure to them as well. That advice really helped me improve my communication.
To conclude,Toin, what are your dreams for the future after you finish high school?
Toin: I possibly want to apply for the Maritime Institute, Willem Barentsz, on Terschelling, after finishing my high school. There you are trained as a naval officer, and then you actually go around the world with shipping. That seems cool!
Very cool! Do you need math for that too, or not?
Toin: Yes, definitely. So this helps tremendously!
How nice to hear! And Isa, do you already know what you want to do after college?
Those were all the questions I had for you guys. Thanks so much for your time and sharing your experiences!
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