tutoring - best way to teach?

Okay, so recently, I've been asked (along with a few others) by my dean to help in a whole... school pride thing. It's stuff like getting the year groups together instead of making them more separate.

So, I'm one of the four in the academics group, and we've been chosen (I think) to help mentor/tutor some people who don't understand much of what's going on... I think. So I was wondering what kind of things you think makes a good teacher? Like, interective, enthusiastic, patient, listens, individual conversations instead of whole class...

You can tell a story, if you like. Mainly, I'm just trying to see what you think works, and (even better) what doesn't. I'm 15, and my school's 13-17 year olds.

Thanks!

Depends on the person! Some people do better with tudors who spell everything out, maybe including metaphors for the subject being taught. Others do better if you only give them one step at a time, let them figure out each step, and give them the next. Some students require you figure out a quarter, or half, of the problem, before they suddenly get it. Others figure out the problem as far as they can and then you give them the next step.

Those are all ways I get tutored, btw. Best to ask the student what they understand before you start. Then you can find out how to teach from the student's perspective.

I find that a good method to teach is by using "anecdotes."

For example, my seventh-grade math teacher used stories to explain concepts.
A rhombus became a square that'd been squished by a rhinocerous... alliteration.

Also, kids tend to listen more to a patient teacher.

If you only can, don't stick to the ordinary and dull stuff, but try to use examples that are as practical (and interesting!) as possible, and ones that students can relate to. Don't make it too difficult (--> "I don't want to try because I know I will never learn this"). Clarity, consistence, and patience will get you far.

Also, tutoring and teaching others is the best way to learn yourself (although teaching will of course require you to know something about the subject...). And this is good for you, because the students will probably much rather listen to someone their own age than a middle-aged, creaky-voiced schoolmarm.

Good luck!

Yeah, those are all good ideas. But what about your favourite teachers? Sarcasm is something my english teacher at the moment uses. She makes you feel like you're five years old, but still having fun... flipside is, I'm not sure how much we've learnt...

Stori, so you're saying make up a rhyme? (ish thing)... like a mneumonic? Sounds good. I'll see what happens. We're all getting together on tuesday to sort this out! Thanks for the help.

And if anyone wants to share things about what they don't enjoy about teachers, then feel free!