An online Spanish tutor is an individual who uses his or her knowledge of the Spanish language to advise, direct, and aid students who want to become more familiar with the language. Spanish tutors are often tasked with reviewing their students written and oral work in order to gauge their level of Spanish ability and to help improve it. Online tutoring services are available for people of all experience levels and age groups. Some tutors offer their services for free while others charge a fee.
People who lack the time or means necessary to seek out face-to-face tutoring can turn to the Internet. Online tutoring services are offered by a number of institutions, organizations, and businesses. The level of involvement and depth that an online Spanish tutor provides is often dependent on the cost of the service and the organization that employs the tutor.
A large number of colleges and universities in the United States offers some form of on-site Spanish tutoring, and many of these educational institutions provide supplemental or separate online tutoring. These services are generally open to anyone enrolled at the university, though some institutions make exceptions. An online Spanish tutor who offers classes through a college is most likely a student or post-doctoral candidate with years of experience. These tutors may limit their involvement to the college and its students or advertise their services to the general public.
Online Spanish tutoring businesses that are not affiliated with educational institutions also exist. These independent companies hire experienced online Spanish tutors and require payment for each class. Online tutors employed by these companies often adopt a slightly more formal approach to tutoring in accordance with company policy.
Spanish tutors who offer online sessions typically have a designated time period during which they offer general help to anyone who requests it. This is done over the Internet either as a one-on-one session or in a group with other students. Communication during online tutoring sessions is facilitated by chat rooms, instant messaging, online forums, and webcams. The exact mode of communication usually depends on the preferences of the organization and tutor.
Individuals who pay for online tutoring sessions are usually guaranteed results by the business and assigned an online Spanish tutor. Generally, the start of tutoring involves an assessment of the student's level of familiarity with Spanish and the areas that need improvement. After the initial assessment, the tutor and student engage in online classes for a specified amount of time. Depending on the service, verbal and writing skills along with reading comprehension may be emphasized. Online sessions may be anonymous for both student and tutor, and the number of sessions depends on what the student has paid for.
