Nils Bendle

I normally find out what level the student is at, what they are learning, what they feel are their weak points and any feedback they have had from their school.
I normally structure the lesson in such a way that we start of with a reading/writing exercise and this requires the most energy. I then include other methods of learning such as audio, visual and kinaesthetic methods of learning, since not all learners respond well to reading and writing alone. If a student shows a preference to a particular style of learning, I will lead with that method but will not eliminate other methods of learning.
Assessments are key, on a regular basis i.e every lesson, and then periodically. I also look at past papers from the relevant exam board to the learner, so that they know what to expect in the exam, as well as online resources that are available to support the learner with additional information which will give them an added advantage.
One of the issues with tutoring I have encountered in the past is continued learning between lessons, insomuch as some students will attend a lesson and not do anything with what they have learned until the following week, meaning that they lose the knowledge they have gained. Setting homework in the form of small, digestible daily tasks keeps the learner engaged and motivated between lessons.
Finally, I am a firm believer that confidence is the key to learning; to want to learn and to be able to express ideas fluently. I always make sure to not only encourage but empower learners to approach tasks in an effective and efficient way.