Group Tuition vs 1-to-1 Tutoring: Pros and Cons

Did you know that the tuition industry in Singapore is worth a billion dollars?

Yes, that is true. From primary school to Junior College (JC), students in Singapore are mainly dependent on private tuition.

These are designed to enhance learning and provide children with the resources they need to excel in studies. There are two options when it comes to choosing tuition.

You can either go for a group tuition or one-to-one tutoring. Here is everything you need to know about these two type of tuition in Singapore.

Group Tuition

The environment of a group session is just like a normal school class. These are sessions conducted by full-time tutors who are committed to helping their students excel in a given subject.

This is also the most widely popular tuition as it is more accessible and affordable. However, the task that falls upon a student or parent is to choose the best group tuition to enhance their studies.

The average cost of group tutoring is between $30 to $55 per hour in Singapore. However, if you opt for a tuition center that is branded and has a stellar reputation then they will charge much higher.

Here are some pros and cons of group tutoring to help you make a better decision.

Pros Of Group Tutoring

Structured Teaching

All the programs are specifically curated to meet the needs of the students joining. You can expect structured lessons with assignments, resources, and other lesson materials that are important to acing any exam.

The pace will be just like a school and the classes will be tailored to meet your needs. However, the quality of material you will be getting will be much better than what is provided in various schools.

Quality Teaching

Teachers in this field are extremely dedicated to helping their students excel. This is why you must find a good tuition center that has good quality teachers. Once you do, you will be getting all the tools you need for success.

To find high-quality group tuition you can always take recommendations from other people. Apart from that, you can visit their websites and check out the reviews that other people have posted.

The important thing to do here is research so you can benefit from quality teaching.

Affordability

This is why most people opt for group tuition. They are extremely affordable. Every tuition center that provides group tuitions charges a different amount and so you can easily find one that fits your budget as well.

This quality of both accessibility and affordability makes it the top choice amongst parents and students. It allows the children to have a high-quality resource at their hands at a minimum cost.

Brainstorming

Learning within a group environment enhances the ability to brainstorm and share ideas. This is a good environment to learn in as students learn from each other. This promotes looking at a subject through the lens of many others.

This expands the horizons and perceptions of a person and gives them the skill to understand and accept other people. This is why group tutoring is more than just about getting good grades. They provide you the skills you need later in life too.

Promotes Healthy Competition

Looking at other people perform well provides you with the drive to do better as well. This helps you to push yourself and explore your potential. Group tuition offer exactly that.

They provide an environment where children can learn and grow from one another and everyone can help each other to be their best. It allows for conducive learning that is not found anywhere else.

Cons Of Group Tuitions

Little Individual Attention

Because there are other students to cater to as well, you will not get the attention you require. This doesn't mean that the teacher won't help you out if you are stuck. It just means that everyone's needs have to be accommodated in a group tuition session.

Limited Capacity

Great tutors run out fast. So, if you want to opt for high-quality group tuition then you need to register beforehand or they might run out of space.

May Not Cater To Everyone’s Learning Styles

Every individual learns differently. As a tutor, you need to figure out how your student learns so they can benefit from the teaching. However, group tuition are not suited to one style. The teacher will have their style and will go at their pace. This may not necessarily suit your learning style. Choose wisely.

One-On-One Tutoring

This is where one teacher guides only one student at a time. This is a great choice for people who have difficulty settling down in a group environment and need more attention to focus on studies.

The student gets the undivided attention of the teacher. However, this is not suitable for everyone. That is because many individuals thrive when they have their peers with them. They can interact and learn more that way.

It is also more expensive but this depends on the teachers as well. If you opt for a tutor that has a degree or is an NIE trainee then their rates will be similar to a group tuition session. 

For primary school students, it will be around $30/hour, for lower secondary, it will be $50/hour, and for upper secondary and JC, it will be around $60/hour.

However, if you opt for a MOE trained school teacher then they will be even more expensive. Their primary school rates will be around $70/hour. Their lower secondary school rates will be around $80/hour, and their upper secondary and JC rate will be around $120/hours.

Details of private tuition rates can be found here.

These are average rates and they can be lower or higher depending on the teacher. Here are the many pros and cons of one-on-one tutoring so you can make an informed decision.

Pros Of One-On-One Tutoring

Undivided Attention

The student will be the sole focus of the teacher. The material and session will be tailored to your needs so you can thrive and get amazing grades. During this session, you can ask anything you want and sort any queries you have regarding your work and the teacher will help you.

If you are weak at studying and need the teacher to go at your pace then this may just be the ideal choice for you.

Instant Feedback

The work is assessed and feedback is provided instantly. This is not possible in a group session as there is a lot to check. However, the teacher in an individual session will go through your work in detail and then give you feedback so you can improve.

This will help you to achieve progress in a much faster and effective way as you will know the areas in which you are weak. The teacher will also provide you the tools you need to improve your weak points.

Flexibility

Classes will not be scheduled in just one slot to take place every day. Instead, there will be much more flexibility in timings. You can choose a time and day that suits you so you can also be focused on studying that day.

Apart from that, it will be easier to make up for a missed class according to your schedule. This way you will not have to miss any lesson due to any unforeseen circumstances.

Confidence Boost

A personal home tutor can help you gain the confidence you need to excel. They can provide you moral support along with teaching so you can be confident in your academic skills. Many students tend to fail because they keep doubting themselves. A tutor to help you and cheer you will give you the boost you need.

Personalized Tests And Tips

The tutor will give you tips and techniques suited to your learning style. This will help you excel in a much better way as you can utilize them during your exams.

You will also be given personalized tests to assess your strengths and weaknesses and work on those with your tutor.

Cons Of One-On-One Tutoring

Expensive

Such an amazing and personalized learning experience comes at a price. The hourly rates are higher than group tuitions and this is why many people don't prefer this at puts a heavy dent in their pockets. It is important to look around and find a tutor that is not too expensive.

Less Independent

The student in many cases can become dependent on the teacher for their learning. They know that they will get help here so they may stop paying attention in school. This will lead them to be dependent on their tutor for all their academic needs.

Final Words

The choice of tutoring that will be the most beneficial to you entirely depends on the kind of environment that you thrive in and also your budget. This is why you must understand how they both work to make an informed decision of what works best for you.

Once you do, you can take that form of tutoring and excel in your academics. After all, we all need a little help and a push to do our best and reach our highest potential.