How to choose supplementary education for your child: advice for parents before the start of the school year
Author: Erahuvikool AlphaBeta õppekeskus
Easyfind profile link:https://dev.easyfind.ee/vendor/alphabeta/
At the beginning of the school year, many parents consider getting additional academic support for their child. Notebooks, pens, pencils, new clothes. For several years now, this list has also included searching for teachers who can help their child with schoolwork. Mathematics, Estonian and English, physics and chemistry, biology. With the transition to Estonian-language education, help is needed with virtually all school subjects. This applies to Tallinn and Ida-Viru County. In other Estonian counties, there is demand for help with preparing for Estonian and mathematics exams and learning foreign languages.
What should you consider when choosing an education centre or tutor?
The learning process should support the student and help them understand the topic and learning material. It should not be mere tutoring or doing homework for the child, but rather helping them understand the material, fill gaps in their knowledge and build confidence in what they know. It is worth considering the teacher's qualifications and experience working with children and asking for a trial introductory meeting with the teacher.
Mini-group lessons are the most suitable format for learning languages, as they are particularly effective for developing speaking skills.
The price is also important, as is whether tuition expenses are eligible for an income tax refund, whether lessons are online or offline, where the lessons take place and whether the teacher provides feedback.
When does a child need additional support?
If possible, you should start as soon as you realise there are gaps in the child's knowledge; otherwise, it will become more difficult later and require more time and financial resources.
Graduating classes. If a child is unsure of their knowledge, it is best to start lessons right away. The graduating class places a heavy emotional burden on the student, and the child needs help during this challenging school year.
How are lessons conducted at AlphaBeta õppekeskus?
In practice, this is the approach we use at our education centre AlphaBeta õppekeskus.
Erahuvikool AlphaBeta õppekeskus operates under an activity licence issued by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, which allows tuition expenses to be declared and an income tax refund to be claimed.
How our lessons are conducted and what is important to us in the learning process:
We prefer lessons in mini-groups (up to 8 students). It is important that learning is stress-free and takes place in a friendly atmosphere, but results and feedback from both the student and their parents are equally important. Mini-group lessons allow for an almost individual approach to each student and help optimise parents' tuition expenses.
Classroom lessons make it possible to explain the material thoroughly, which is particularly important in mathematics, physics and chemistry lessons. In the classroom, formulas are written on the board, and problems and examples are worked through. The student understands the solution process and actively participates.
The integration of Estonian into the study of subjects in the child's native language, as well as connections between knowledge from different subjects, is particularly important in supportive education. For example, we conduct practical workshops in natural science, physics and chemistry, introduce terminology in Estonian and reinforce knowledge through practical lessons. After analysing the situation in education, we concluded that children who do not yet have a sufficient command of Estonian may need additional support as early as the second grade (Estonian, mathematics and natural science).
Another point to consider: we recommend starting school preparation at the age of 3–4 and continuing until the age of 6 in the child's native language (to establish the necessary foundation of knowledge). Then, from the age of 6, the child will be ready to attend a preschool preparatory class in Estonian.
Supportive learning is not only about academic knowledge, but also about the child's overall development. Creative activities and Storytelling are aimed at developing the ability to express oneself both verbally and through creative work (drawing, modelling, felting, appliqué), as well as developing social skills and broadening horizons. All these activities help children open up and develop.
Supportive learning is a collaborative effort involving the child, parents, and teachers.
We wish you a successful new school year, lots of smiles, and new knowledge!
Sofia Kudinova
Erahuvikool AlphaBeta õppekeskus
Erlex Õppekeskus OÜ
Member of the Management Board