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“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” — Ignacio Nacho Estrada
Business studies is a subject taught at the junior secondary level from basic 7-9 in Nigeria in preparation for their specialization class (Arts, sciences or commercial) at the senior secondary level. The level of Assimilation of each individual in this life is different and at some point, a tutor may be highly recommended for a student.
Who then is a tutor? A tutor is a master teacher who provides academic support; someone with deep knowledge or has defined expertise in a particular subject or set of subjects. A tutor, therefore, may be a good idea for the student if they are having challenges or want to learn better in a particular subject in school.
The word ‘lesson or ‘tutoring’ is no longer new to any household in Nigeria. It has even become a major component of the educational sector. In short, some schools provide private tutoring for students after normal school classes at an additional fee while some parents prefer a private one on one tutorial at home.
Whichever one it is, this is a typical mentality in Nigeria to have extra lessons for students after school especially when a major exam is coming up like PLACEMENT EXAMS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, NECO (BECE), WEAC, JAMB AND POST UTME.
If you rely only on your course materials and your teacher to learn about business principles, it stands to reason that you might miss out on valuable perspectives about the subject especially since the subject "Business Studies'' and its curriculum is very broad. That's why learning with a tutor has great benefits.
Tutors have experience or more knowledge in the field they tutor.
They will share their experiences, what they have learnt with their pupils on a deeper level than a classroom teacher where more than one student is involved. The students will be able to ask all the questions on their mind and a tutor will take out time to explain and ensure the students understands it all.
The Tutor in most situations already know the syllabus for the subject and will make it their mission to ensure they cover it and the student understands to a good extent before any major exam comes up.
“A good teacher is like a candle — it consumes itself to light the way for others.” — Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Yardstick For Hiring A Tutor
There is no one way of choosing the right tutor. However, some guidelines can help the process which will be discussed as you read this article. Tutors come in all shapes and sizes; there are even tutors with varying levels of education.
You might be wondering what the minimal education level should be for a tutor before hiring them? Well, the answer to that is that the teacher should be at least one level more advanced than the students.
In Nigeria, there are no rules that govern the qualification a tutor must-have. However, the general guidelines are that they are more advanced and knowledgeable than you in the subject area. It is okay to say that the higher their qualification and experience, the more knowledgeable in that field they will be.
That means that a senior secondary school student can be your tutor as a junior secondary school student as long as they understand the subject and can impact the knowledge.
Your business studies tutor can be a senior student, university student or graduate and so on as long as they are more advanced than you.
Please note that it is called peer -to -peer learning if your fellow student is helping you out in class. It is not called tutoring and they are not your tutor even if you are paying them.
Your class teacher in the school can be your tutor outside the classroom environment. You don't necessarily have to look for an MBA holder to teach you about business. In the long run, you will save a lot if you know that anyone with higher knowledge and qualification can tutor you.
What About Experience?
The importance of experience in anything cannot be overemphasised but it should be however noted that the Business Studies curriculum is progressive and so someone not having experience in it can actually be a great tutor. Reading some of the below points will make you understand why experience should not hinder your choice in choosing a tutor:
- The curriculum for business studies is progressive and each level builds on the previous one: presenting new concepts, further exploring established ideas and gradually introducing intangible aspects of business such as management, accounts, finance and the likes. So as you are learning these areas in business studies, someone more advanced than you as mastered the area you might be currently struggling with.
- A tutor who is close to your age group can better relate with you and understand what it means to be in your shoes. They will better understand and relate to your ideas, challenges and misconceptions about the subject. Whereas someone with decades of experience in business and tutoring might not get your views on the environment and the way you see the concept of business at your junior level.
The bottom line is this: you shouldn't discount anyone simply because they do not have the highest qualification or experience in business or tutoring. Instead, look for the value they could bring to your learning experience.
The most important thing is that they can answer your questions, understand and explain your classwork and explain and breakdown difficult concepts. Once your academic performance is improving, you should rest assured you have a good business studies tutor.
Find A Teacher For Your NECO (BECE) Business Studies Syllabus
Business studies is an important subject that must be taken when writing the NECO (BECE) examinations especially if you want a career path in the business and management industry. NECO (BECE) exams must be written and passed before you can move over to the senior secondary level of education in Nigeria. BECE (Basic Education Certificate Examination) is also referred to as Junior WAEC. In fact, you may decide to call it the JSS3 Exam.
The major component of the business studies syllabus are;
- Office practice
- Book-keeping
- Commerce
- Keyboarding
- Computer studies.
Topics in Accounting, management, finance and the likes will fall under the above-listed components.
You might be wondering where to find a good tutor to teach you business studies especially since passing it is very important for your career path. Well, as discussed earlier, you can make a private arrangement with your teacher to tutor you privately outside the classroom at a fee. Some schools even offer evening classes for all their students at a fee for the ones interested.
Outside the school environment, there are physical lesson centres where anyone can enrol to get extra lessons. This setting is also like a classroom but rather the classes start in the evenings after the normal Nigerian school hours which is 8 am-3 pm. The good about these lesson centres is that they know the Business studies syllabus and students are taught accordingly.
There are also summer lessons organized by schools and lesson centres to encourage the student to keep learning during the long holidays.
Referrals from other students and parents are also ways of finding the right tutor. Some students who have successfully passed the exams through the use of private tutors can give you referrals based on their past and ongoing experiences with the tutors in the subject field.
Many university students who are already doing business-related courses also involve themselves in tutoring secondary school students as a means of earning extra cash while studying also.
National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C) member also are involved in tutoring business-related subjects especially since many of them are posted to be teachers during their one year service to the Nigerian government. so they also use this opportunity to impact knowledge. You can have a discussion with one at an agreed fee to tutor you in business studies
Superprof is also one of the best online platforms to get well trained, experienced and knowledgeable business studies tutor to tutor you and prep you for your NECO (BECE) exams in business studies. Online teaching is fast rising in Nigeria especially since when the pandemic hit the world.
Note: in case you were wondering about the job opportunities for a business studies student, we've listed them in a separate article.
Getting A Tutor In These Times And Recent Happenings
No matter where or which state you live in Nigeria, Virtual learning is fast becoming popular especially with the recent outbreak of COVID which encourages social distancing to reduce its spread worldwide. Virtual learning at home is pretty much our only chance at supplemental lessons due to this current pandemic outbreak.
Many companies and individual are trending towards the digital/online world, though online tutoring has been there long before COVID.
Software companies are now developing different apps for learning where students can download, pay and start learning online. There are so many learning tools and resources online that the virtual learning experience is now at least as competitive as classroom education.
There are many online platforms where you can learn privatively with tutors or as a group of people under a tutor. However, Superprof is one of the best out there in Nigeria.
The teachers you see on the Superprof platform have been properly screened to ensure that every information you see is as truthful as possible (Superprof provides each tutor with a page for them to list their credentials and experience).
Lastly before finally deciding on a business study teacher, ensure you do your proper checks by checking their qualifications, experience, area of specialization and every information possible. You can also go through their social media page to get a feel of the tutor.
Thanks to the safeguards now in place and the possibility of remote learning, you can be taught in the comfort of your home by a tutor with as many years of experience and qualifications as you feel are needed.
The platform that connects tutors and students
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