Partner Article

6 Myths About Online Tutorsfor a Business

Interested in getting online tutors for your employees, but unsure if it’s worth it? Bringing outside teachers into a business isn’t a new concept. You’ll still find language teachers in offices around the world giving morning classes, at lunch breaks,or after work! However, online tutoring has revolutionized how businesses offer continuing learning to their employees. Would your employees benefit from an online tutor?

As the world embraces a digital environment, there are still some misconceptions about the effectiveness of online tutoring. Lack of accurate information can keep your employees from taking advantage of all the benefits online tutors offer.

Here are some of the biggest myths about online tutoring for businesses, and the reality:

• Online tutoring is expensive. Most of the time, online tutoring is less expensive than in-person tutoring. Some online tutoring companies offer small group classes as well as one-on-one tutoring, too. Since there’s virtually no overhead, no commute, and everyone including the tutor and employees can join sessions from any location, this all equates to lower overall costs.
• Employees won’t take online tutoring seriously. You can’t guarantee that all employees will benefit or dedicate themselves to any continuing education opportunity. Make sure you match employees who are eager and ready to learn with tutoring, whether online or in-person. Many studies have shown that people don’t value what’s free, so it might not be in your best interest to offer complimentary online tutoring “just for fun.” Either require tutoring for employees to advance in their position, or ask them to subsidize the costs for a small fee to increase the perceived value.
• Online tutors aren’t as qualified. Every tutoring company is different, whether it’s a brick and mortar establishment or online platform. Research the companies and find out what the requirements are for their tutors. Some require native speakers to be language tutors, some require the tutor to be majoring in or have a degree in their subject, while others require prior teaching experience. Overall, online tutors aren’t any more or less qualified than in-person tutors. In fact, some online tutors tutor in person as well.
• Employees don’t have time for tutoring. Everyone has the same hours in each day. Everyone also makes time, no matter what, for what they feel is important. If your employees value their online tutoring sessions, either because they’re personally invested or it’s required for a promotion or raise, they’ll make time for it. Plus, online tutoring is accessible, flexible, convenient, and you can choose how short or long the lessons are. Some lessons can be as quick as five minutes.
• Online tutors don’t have experience in business settings. Online tutors are as diverse as your employees. However, businesses do have specific needs and goals that only business-minded tutors can address. Make sure you find an online tutoring platform that offers a specialization in business tutoring along with tutors with corporate or enterprise experience. You’ll be surprised at the eclectic background of online tutors.
• It’s not a big benefit to the business. Continuing, lifelong learning is key to personal and professional success. Studies have also shown that happy employees are more productive, and vice versa. You should be able to gauge both quantitative and qualitative differences in your business after implementing an online tutoring program. However, it will require that employees dedicate themselves to the program for a minimum amount of hours per week. That number will vary based on your goals, the subject, and how committed the employees are.

In today’s business culture, outsourcing has become a great method for bringing in the best experts on a contract basis. Just like you may contract HR services, graphic design, and content creation, why not contract out your tutoring services? Online tutors are available, skilled, and you’re not locked into an agreement with them. It’s the natural next step in outsourcing solutions.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hicks Crawford .