A tutor provides individual or small group instruction. Unlike a classroom teacher, a tutor focuses on one student's needs. That might mean re-teaching a concept, preparing for a test, or pushing ahead into new material. Tutoring can be remedial or enriching.

Tutors work in many settings. Some are professional teachers moonlighting. Some are college students earning extra money. Some are retired teachers. Tutoring centers, online platforms, and private homes all host sessions. Rates range from modest to very high.

Good tutoring is not just explaining. It is diagnosing. A tutor figures out exactly where a student is stuck. That might be a missing foundational skill, a language barrier, or anxiety. Once the gap is identified, the tutor can target it. A student who improves with a tutor often gains confidence along with knowledge.

Common types

• Subject-specific tutoring
• Test preparation
• Reading and math intervention
• Language tutoring
• Homework help