There are three main types of Spanish tutor jobs: those done on an independent, freelance basis, those situated in commercial tutoring organizations, and those affiliated with schools or specific academic programs. Within these categories, tutors can often choose to take on different kinds of work. Some are focused on helping build vocabulary, for instance, while others are devoted primarily to writing, grammar, and academic pursuits. In Spanish-speaking countries, tutors often help those for whom Spanish is a second language, or who are struggling in basic composition courses. Tutors in all settings usually work with students to assess their specific needs before developing a curriculum or course of study.
Offering services on a freelance basis is often the easiest way to break into the Spanish tutor job scene. Almost anyone who is either a native Spanish speaker or who has mastered Spanish as a second language is qualified to offer basic instruction to others. This is often as simple as offering help to neighbors and friends or soliciting students through word-of-mouth or other casual marketing.
Most Spanish tutor jobs of this sort are part-time, driven only by the demand and schedule of students. Sessions are often held in either the tutor's or the student’s home. In most cases, the curriculum is set by the students.
Sometimes tutoring is needed to follow along with a class or prepare for a specific Spanish language exam, which usually involves study help or study guidance. People who want to learn Spanish for travel or business may also seek out the services of a private tutor. Home-based tutors can be popular for people looking for conversational help or a place to practice speaking with someone who is fluent. Tutors looking to expand their clientele sometimes also establish Spanish tutor jobs online, usually through e-mail or video chat. Web-based tutoring is often a very flexible way for a tutor to work.
Tutoring positions within professional organizations are usually a bit more rigid. Commercial tutoring centers often process students and pair them with tutors based on student needs and tutor expertise. Many different kinds of teaching guidance can happen in more professional settings, but tutors generally have a lot less flexibility when it comes to choosing students and setting curriculum.
A lot of times, students in commercial Spanish tutoring settings start out by taking a diagnostic Spanish exam which gauges their strengths, weaknesses, and common errors. Test results are often used to help craft a curriculum, but they can also be used to gauge the efficacy of an academic tutor. When students leave the program, they are often tested again. If their language skills have improved, this usually looks good for the tutor; if skills have declined or stayed constant, however, it can be reason for reprimand.
Spanish tutor jobs in schools and universities are usually driven primarily by class work. Sometimes these tutors are professionals, but other times they are other students — generally those in more advanced Spanish speaking or composition classes. An academic tutor usually meets with Spanish students either before or after class to help review and drill facets of grammar, basic vocabulary, or Spanish pronunciation. School-based tutors usually help students keep up with coursework and usually adapt their lessons to whatever the class is learning.
One-on-one teaching is a key element of almost all Spanish tutor jobs. The details of what sort of language help the tutor can give, as well as the setting and intensity of the lessons, varies depending both on the teacher’s skills and venue, as well as the needs of the student. In all three categories, the tutor’s first priority is helping the student reach his or her goals.
