Before we talk about the differences between a tutor and a teacher, let’s see the one important thing they have in common: both help students to archive and expand their knowledge. However, there are some differences between a tutor and a teacher. While tutors work with students individually and give extra help with what they find difficult, teachers teach a whole class with 20 or more students.
Below you can find a few key points of the differences between a tutor and a teacher.
Main Aspects of a Tutor
A tutor is a private teacher in education who tutors individual students in one-on-one lessons or small group classes. Therefore the tutor can focus on the student’s needs and tailors the lesson according to the student’s learning skills. The tutor’s workplace can be either at home, at a school, online via webcam, at a library, or in any other public place. Homeschoolers often hire different tutors for different subjects.
The tutor can use different methods and techniques to help the student to understand the concepts. Students who struggle with a particular subject at high school or college hire a tutor for additional help. Universities often call lecturers, who work with students in a small groups or one-on-one, a tutor. Although a tutor typically gives an informal source of education, they play a crucial role for many students to complete their formal education.
Another difference is the qualification. A tutor does not need to have the same pedagogical qualifications as a teacher. Even a student who teaches another student is considered a tutor. Tutoring jobs for college students is a popular way to earn some extra income while studying.
Everyone who has a piece of knowledge in a specific area can become a tutor. There are no set educational qualifications for the tutoring job, and the salary is usually an hourly rate of an average of USD 20.00 per hour. Tutors are often self-employed or hired by an online tutoring company.
Main Aspects of a Teacher
A teacher teaches at a school, high school or college often more than 20 students at a time. Therefore the teacher can find it challenging to pay attention to each student.
A teacher has to follow a strict curriculum. The lesson plans follow a standard procedure with very little flexibility and a different teaching concept from a tutor. The focus of the lessons is to pass on information to students with a method that suits most students, but not all. Although a teacher may have more restrictions and flexibility than a tutor, a teacher finds many tasks and responsibilities in addition to the usual teaching.
Different from a tutor’s career path in education, to become a teacher, you need pedagogical teaching qualifications. The minimum educational degree is a bachelor’s degree with an expected fixed salary of $45.000- $85.000. The salary varies across the country.
| A Tutor | A Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Short Definition | A tutor is a private teacher who tutors individual students in one-on-one lessons or small group classes. | A teacher teaches more than 20 students at a time at a school or college. |
| Qualification | A Tutor may not hold a qualification in teaching. | A teacher holds a pedagogical teaching degree. |
| Salary | A tutor receives an hourly rate that varies between USD 15.00 - USD 80.00 per hour. | A teacher receives a fixed salary that varies across the country between USD 45,000.00 and USD 85,000.00 per year. |
| Number of Students | A tutor teaches an individual student or a small group of students at the same time. | A teacher teaches a group of sometimes more than 20 students at a time. |
| Subjects / Lessons | A tutor can adapt the lessons to the student's learning ability. | A teacher has to follow a strict curriculum. |
| Teaching Hours | The tuition can be booked at flexible times. | The school hours are not flexible. |
Summary
Tutors and Teachers, both want the best possible education for their students. The profession of a teacher offers a more secure career and income, while the job of a tutor provides more flexibility and the option to work online. A teacher can use group work methods to develop social interaction, and the tutor sees a rapid learning development of his students in one-on-one classes.
There is no better or worse. The best possible livelihood is achieved when tutors and teachers work together to make an exchange of the student’s development transparent.
