Ultimate Guide to Getting Tutoring in South Africa

All you’ve ever wanted to know about tutoring in South Africa and getting the right tutor, in one place! Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to Getting a Tutor. We hope you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t, feel free to reach out to us and ask a question or simply post a comment on this page.

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What is Tutoring?

“Long before schools were established, private tutors were employed to teach children in wealthy families. Even today, when universal education is available, many parents employ private tutors to supplement the teaching their children receive in school.” – (by J. Ireson, from the London Review of Education)

Tutoring has come a long way from being one of the primary means of educating children, to the supplemental tool it is now. In academic circles, private tutoring is seen as a collection of after-school educational activities which are designed to help learners and students improve their academic performance (Bray, 2002). However, tutoring in South Africa is not limited to assisting school children. University students and adults looking to learn new skills, also regularly seek out tutoring for assistance.

Tutoring in the South African Context

There is no shortage of authors, academics and reporters who refer to the current state of South African education as dismal. And they may have a point, based on the results from international benchmarking tests.

TIMSS

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a global assessment of learners’ proficiency in Maths and Science, that takes place every 4 years. Since the first assessment in 1995 South Africa has ranked consistently low, with our most recent ranking (2023) being last place.

PIRLS

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assesses learners’ reading ability by their 4th year of schooling. The latest PIRLS (2021) showed that 81% of South African Grade 4’s cannot read for meaning – again ranking last.

Given these challenges, many parents turn to private tutoring in South Africa. The industry has grown significantly, driven by tangible improvements in students’ academic results. However, this growth has also attracted substandard tutors and unscrupulous operators. Schools have attempted to address learning gaps with remedial classes, but these often fail due to large class sizes and ineffective teaching methods. Moreover, some children struggle due to personality mismatches with teachers—an issue tutoring can help resolve.

You can read more about the need for home tutors, from an experienced tutor’s perspective.

How is Tutoring Different From Schooling?

Depending on the school, class sizes vary from about 15 to 50 learners. Groups this big make it very difficult for teachers to cater to children’s individual needs. Struggling students may not receive the help they need, while advanced learners lack the resources to excel.

At its core, this is what sets tutoring apart from traditional schooling: a focus on the individual. Tutors are able to carefully assess where each learner or student (also called the tutee) is experiencing challenges. They are then able to structure their teaching around those tricky topics.

A BrightSparkz employee, who is an experienced tutor and has also been a teacher for 11 years explains:

“I would say the biggest difference is that teaching (in a school) is constrained by policies and deadlines – whether a learner understands a concept or not, the teacher moves on. Tutoring allows a more intense and in-depth learning experience to take place, where one can fill the gaps where necessary and even extend the learner in other areas. One should definitely not replace the other, rather with our loaded curriculums these days, teaching and tutoring should actually work hand-in-hand with the student, along his/her educational journey.” – Alexandra

Aren’t Teachers and Tutors the Same?

Not quite. While some tutors are teachers, the skills required for each role differ. Teachers manage large classrooms, enforcing discipline while covering broad curricula. Tutors, on the other hand, tailor their teaching to individual students, explaining concepts in multiple ways until they resonate. Neither role is superior—they simply serve different functions.

The Benefits of Tutoring

The key benefit of tutoring boils down to the fact that it is flexible and adaptable. A tutor is not tied down by rigid deadlines and being responsible for a large number of tutees. A private tutor brings freedom to the table for their tutee – the freedom to slow down, the freedom to ask questions and the freedom to express themselves in their own way.

Studies show tutoring improves test scores, as a result of this freedom. Brookings demonstrates the effectiveness of tutoring and reports: “tutoring is remarkably effective at helping students learn, with over 80% of [recent] studies reporting statistically significant effects”.

Check out our full article about The Benefits of Tutoring in South Africa to learn more.

What Does the Research Say?

Tutoring, often called shadow education, “mimics school systems” (Bray, 2021). Research is mixed, but the general consensus is that tutoring has a positive impact. However, concerns exist that it may widen inequality by benefiting those who can afford it. While this may be valid, it’s important not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

Quality is also crucial. Bray (2021) highlights that outcomes depend heavily on a tutor’s skills and motivation, as well as the student’s readiness. A study of elite South African schools (Mogari et al., 2009, page 41) found that students with access to quality tutoring saw clear academic benefits.

Thus, finding the right tutor is as important as getting a tutor at all.

Finding the Right Tutor

Matching the right tutor with a student is essential. It’s important to understand what makes a good tutor, but also to be aware of the typical pitfalls. These next few sections will walk you through the different aspects to keep in mind.

What Makes a Good Tutor?

One of the most important qualities is the desire to help. That sense of passion and enthusiasm is very important to look out for. Here are other key attributes to look for:

Academic Excellence – A tutor must have a strong grasp of their subject, staying up to date with curriculum requirements.
A Clear Criminal Record – Since tutoring in South Africa often takes place at home, safety is paramount.
Patience and Encouragement – Learning can be slow. A tutor must remain patient and motivate students.
Commitment – Dedicated tutors prepare lessons and create resources tailored to their students.
Effective Communication – The ability to clearly explain concepts is vital.
Reliable Transport or Internet – Tutors must have dependable access to lessons, whether online or in person.
Training and Experience – While formal qualifications aren’t mandatory, experience enhances a tutor’s effectiveness.

Check out our full article on Finding the Right Tutor to learn more.

Potential Pitfalls When Searching for a Tutor

Sometimes you might need to compromise on some of the characteristics that you were hoping for. We’re going to take a look at some pitfalls to be aware of, when assessing the tutor options available to you.

Niche Mismatch – Ensure the tutor is familiar with the specific subject and curriculum.
Poor Communication – Clear expectations on rates, schedules, and commitment are essential.
Unreliable Tutors – Verify the tutor’s track record to avoid last-minute dropouts.
Lack of a Safety Net – Hiring a tutor through an agency can provide a backup if needed.
Over-reliance on Academic Excellence – High grades do not always translate into strong teaching ability.

Check out our full article on Avoiding Pitfalls When Searching for a Tutor to learn more.

Assessing the Quality of Tutoring Received

Once you’ve chosen a tutor, monitor the quality of the tutoring on an ongoing basis. This will give you an indication of whether you’ve made the right decision or whether you need to go back to the drawing board. You can monitor their effectiveness using these questions:

Does my child feel comfortable with the tutor?
Is the tutor on time and well-prepared?
Is the tutor neat, professional and amicable?
Does the tutor assign homework?

Experienced tutors will typically leave their tutee with “homework” or additional tasks to practice independently. This serves as a tool to reinforce learning and track progress.

How Do I Know If I Need Tutoring?

There’s no age limit for tutoring in South Africa! This section explores the most common tutoring needs by age group, along with key signs that someone may benefit from extra support.

Read More: Do I Need a Tutor or an Au Pair?

Pre-Primary and Primary School

Pro-active parents seek tutoring for their children at an early age, often after a teacher identifies areas where they’re struggling. Pre-primary tutoring typically focuses on early numeracy and literacy skills, and helps children to stay on track with their peers. Primary school tutoring is usually subject-specific, particularly when a child’s marks are low. However, tutoring can also provide general homework support a few times a week.

High School

Our data shows that high-demand subjects at this level include Pure Maths, Maths Literacy, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, CAT, and languages. The trend is especially towards English Home Language and Afrikaans First Additional Language. Here are key signs that a high schooler may need tutoring:

Failing grades – If your child is failing any subjects, early intervention is crucial.
Declining marks – A sudden drop in marks from one grade to the next may indicate gaps in foundational knowledge.
Curriculum changes – Switching from CAPS to IEB (or another curriculum) often requires extra support to bridge the gap.
University goals – Competitive degree programmes have strict entry requirements, making tutoring essential as early as Grade 10, since Grade 11 marks are used for applications.

And remember, tutoring isn’t just for struggling students! It’s also valuable for those looking to deepen their understanding of subjects they love. This is especially true for those who want to go into the STEM fields after school.

Read more about how Tutoring Helps Learners at All Levels of Understanding.

Tertiary Students

Tutors can help with specific modules or provide broader academic guidance. They can also support you with subjects you didn’t study at school, ensuring you don’t fall behind. An example is someone doing a Marketing degree, needing to pass an Accounting module – who never had it at school. Students may need tutoring to prepare for exams or to complete assignments.

Tutoring for Adults

Tutoring isn’t just for students—adults can also benefit. Tutors can help with CPD (Continuous Professional Development) or new skills like coding, ensuring you stay competitive at work. A tutor can also help you to master a language or support your preparations for professional certification. Completing your adult matric is even possible with a tutor by your side.

Read more about The Benefits of Learning Another Language or get more information on Adult Matric.

Special Needs and Tutoring in South Africa

If your child faces learning challenges that affect their academic progress, tutoring can provide valuable support. A skilled tutor can adapt lessons to suit their learning style, building confidence and skills at their own pace.

Learn more about What Tutoring Can Offer Learners with Special Needs or check out our Ultimate Guide to Concessions and Accommodations.

Options for Tutoring in South Africa to Suit Every Situation

Extra classes at school often replicate the same challenges as regular lessons, limiting their effectiveness. That’s why we’ll only outline the most effective private tutoring options in this section.

Read more about the Challenges Posed by Large Classrooms.

1. In-Home Tutoring

A tutor teaches in your home, providing lessons in a familiar environment. For those who do not live in a very remote location, this allows for focused, one-on-one attention. In-person tutoring is best suited to young learners and tutees with barriers to learning. It may not be ideal for those with social anxiety or who prefer privacy.

2. Online Tutoring

Online tutoring offers flexibility and accessibility without compromising quality. Sessions typically take place on platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet, making expert tutors available regardless of location. The benefits of online tutoring are so numerous that they have a dedicated article, if you need more convincing.

Check out more great content about Dispelling the Myths of Online Learning and Tackling 10 Fears About Online Learning.

3. Small Group Tutoring

Tutoring in small groups balances affordability with the benefits of collaborative learning and can be in-person or online. However, it means that all participants should need help with the exact same content. Provided the group is small enough, this mode can yield comparable results to one-on-one tutoring.

What to Expect From Tutoring in South Africa

If you’ve never had a tutor before, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. When getting started it’s important that your expectations are realistic, so let’s unpack that.

Consistency is Key

Lessons need to take place at least once a week for tutoring to be effective. You read that right! You should prepare yourself to spend at least one hour with your tutor, every week.

Without this consistency your results might not meet your expectations, so consider your available time realistically.

When Will I See Results?

Real progress takes time—you won’t see results overnight. The time required depends on the complexity of the challenge, but we’ve put together a rough guide for you.

The Challenge	What’s Required	Average Timeline
You’re struggling with a specific concept or theme within a subject	The tutor will diagnose the core issue and help with targeted practice.	You can expect to build your understanding over 1 to 2 months, which should translate to higher marks in the following term.
You’ve fallen behind in a subject and you’re missing foundational knowledge	A tutor will identify the missing foundational knowledge and build it up over time. This means putting blocks in place and building on top of those.	This process can take 3 to 6 months if all goes well, but might require additional time in severe cases. You can expect to see incremental increases in marks, term-on-term.
Your marks are fine, but you want a distinction	You will need enrichment exercises and a tutor will provide support if you get stuck.	Depending on how far from your target you are, you can expect to start seeing your results grow within 1 to 2 months.

This guide is an estimate and is dependent on many variables, however, putting in the required work is critical.

Additional Practice Outside of Tutoring

A weekly session alone won’t be enough—you’ll need independent practice too. You’re going to need to work through additional problems or questions on your own, to keep the momentum going. Based on expert input, here’s how much extra time you should commit:

The Challenge	Independent Practice Required
You’re struggling with a specific concept or theme within a subject	Expect to spend an additional 1 to 2 hours per week practising or revising content.
You’ve fallen behind in a subject and you’re missing foundational knowledge	Daily, you can expect to spend an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour practising.
Your marks are fine, but you want a distinction	You should spend an additional 2 to 3 hours per week to reinforce the tutoring.

A good tutor will help you to plan which exercises to practise and which content to revise in between your sessions.

Get the Most Out of Your Tutoring – Some Practical Tips

As the learner or student, you have ultimate control over your learning process. To really squeeze maximum benefit out of your tutoring sessions, here are some tips for you to try:

1. Be Prepared

Before each session with your tutor, review the content you’d like to cover and the homework you did since your last session. Write down any questions that come up during school or lectures.

2. Do Your Homework

Try to be as consistent and diligent as possible. While doing homework, write down any questions that come to mind and make a note of any questions or content that you found especially challenging.

3. Communicate Your Needs

Be honest with your tutor about what works and what doesn’t – your feedback helps them adjust their approach. If you’re shy, you can share your thoughts via WhatsApp, email, or through your parents. The clearer you are, the better the results. Likewise, if you don’t understand something, speak up! A good tutor will find different ways to explain until it makes sense.

Maximising Tutoring Benefits – Tips for Parents

Above all, be kind to yourself and your child. Encourage regular practice, review key concepts together, and support their learning style. If possible, engaging in discussions and summarising lessons can be especially beneficial for auditory learners. Every bit of support helps your child achieve their goals, reinforcing their confidence and academic growth.

Check out our full article on Maximising Tutoring Benefits for Parents to learn more.

How Does BrightSparkz Tutors Make Life Easier?

BrightSparkz Tutors has been shaping academic success since 2007, expanding even to Canada. BrightSparkz helps families in two key ways:

Finding the exact right tutor for each individual situation
Ensuring consistency by providing ongoing support to both clients and tutors

Let BrightSparkz Find Your Perfect Tutor

Research shows tutoring is only effective with a skilled tutor. Choosing the wrong one can be costly, so we ensure families avoid common pitfalls by covering all of the important bases on their behalf.

Strict Vetting Procedures

BrightSparkz receives tutor applications daily from across the country. Before placement, every applicant undergoes thorough screening, including:

Academic record verification
Interviews to assess communication and presentation skills
A mandatory and unblemished, up-to-date Police Clearance Certificate

Successful candidates join our extensive tutor database, where we track their tutoring hours.

Expert Tutor Matching

After understanding your needs and circumstances, an experienced Learning Consultant carefully selects the best tutor from our database. Years of refining this process – reflected in our Google Reviews – ensure the perfect match.

We Provide a Safety Net

If a tutor can’t fulfil their commitment, we’ll replace them at no extra cost. Thanks to our immense reach, you’ll never be left without support.

Comprehensive Tutor Training

Every successful tutor added to our database completes our in-depth training programme. This training ensures they meet BrightSparkz’s high standards, regardless of prior experience.

BrightSparkz Provides Ongoing Support

Tutor placement is just the start. You’ll receive regular feedback on tutoring, check-ins from your Learning Consultant, and seamless lesson tracking and renewals. That’s how we keep your learning uninterrupted.

Get Tutoring Today With Peace of Mind

To get started with a top-shelf BrightSparkz tutor, simply let us know what you need. If you have any questions, you can contact us through the website or send an email to tutors@brightsparkz.co.za

From BrightSparkz you’ll always receive quality service, an experienced and caring Learning Consultant and an impeccable tutoring experience. Give us a try today!

An adapted version of this article has been published on our sister site.