'As Long as Knowledge is Gained, the Tool Doesn't Matter': An Open-Hearted Tutor

I mainly work as a freelance home tutor and cram school instructor, and on Sundays, I occasionally work as an exam supervisor. Home tutoring primarily focuses on elementary and middle school students, visiting their homes to teach their children, which is the traditional form of home tutoring. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been fewer orders for in-person home tutoring, so I've been increasing the use of online tutoring via tablets.

I had been doing home tutoring as a university student, but when it came time to find a job, I ended up working for a completely unrelated company. After a while, I realized that the food industry wasn't for me, so I switched to working at a camera shop and then an advertising agency, moving away from education. However, I found it challenging and eventually got a job at a learning institute. They proposed making home tutoring a full-time position, which seemed like a good idea for stable income. I worked there for a while, helping to establish the Mito branch, but due to strong competition, we had to withdraw. Since my parents are elderly and still living in my hometown, moving to another prefecture was difficult, so I decided to resign and become freelance. I registered with various home tutoring companies and applied for cram school positions when available, combining both home tutoring and cram school work.

To be honest, it's not stable. There's a lot of fluctuation. Home tutoring typically targets elementary and middle school students preparing for exams, and once they pass, I need to find new students. Additionally, in recent years, there's been an increase in students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism, making it more complex than just teaching. However, I'm not a doctor, so this can lead to difficulties and increased trouble. On the other hand, being too selective doesn't guarantee income, so there's a sense of instability and difficulty in recent years.

There are various methods. For example, if you're registered with a home tutoring center, you input the time spent tutoring on a specific day, and the center pays you based on a set hourly rate once a month. Another method involves teaching material sales companies, where they don't handle salary payments. In this case, you receive payment directly from the family. You send them data on what subject you taught, for how long, but the payment is managed directly by the family, either through direct deposit or, in the case of in-person tutoring, handed over on the final day.

Of course, if test scores don't improve or if students don't get into their desired schools, I'm often blamed. However, with more experience, such complaints have decreased. In online tutoring, parents often set up the sessions, so they can see how I'm teaching, which reduces complaints. However, in in-person tutoring, if parents are in another room and the child's test scores don't improve, they may question what I'm doing.

When I first started, I relied on my university experience, but cram schools involve teaching multiple students at different levels, unlike one-on-one tutoring. A one-size-fits-all approach didn't work, and I couldn't focus solely on students who didn't understand. Additionally, the school expected me to create original teaching materials, which was challenging but helped me develop effective teaching skills.

I've learned to gauge students' understanding by observing their reactions. Simply teaching them how to solve problems isn't enough; I need to understand why they make mistakes and where they struggle. This involves revisiting previous topics and observing their expressions. Over time, I've learned to measure true understanding through expressions and reaction times.

The most joyful moments are when students get into their desired schools or when their test scores improve. Hearing directly from students that they're glad they had a tutor is particularly rewarding, though it's rare. Parents often express gratitude, which is also heartwarming. However, since most students don't choose tutoring willingly, hearing it directly from them makes me feel truly appreciated.

Not at all. I earn the same as university students. If there were a professional system, it would be different, but since there isn't, I have to accept the same rate as students to keep getting work. Given my experience, this is the only job I can do, so I have no other options.

The joy of contributing to society is a significant motivator. If my efforts result in positive responses, I feel it's worth continuing. I once dated someone whose job was playing pachinko professionally, and I wondered if that contributed to society. They admitted it didn't, but they had no other skills. Even if they earned money, it didn't bring joy to others, unlike tutoring. Mutual benefit is essential for success.

I believe that knowledge can be acquired through various means, whether reading books, manga, playing games, watching TV, or listening to the radio. As long as knowledge is accumulated, I don't restrict students from these activities. I tell them that as long as they learn something, I don't care what they do. This approach helps students open up to me, feeling that I understand them.

I'm concerned about my age and the future of my pension. What scares me most about this job is the decline in memory. My father has dementia and is in a care facility, so I worry about inheriting the same condition.

I don't have a clear vision for the future. I'm too busy dealing with the present. Quitting isn't an option at this point. Ideally, I'd like to continue working as long as I'm physically and mentally capable, regardless of age.

Based on my experience, quitting impulsively due to job dissatisfaction or poor relationships can lead to difficulties. You might not find another job immediately. If you switch fields, your previous experience might not be relevant, and holding onto pride can hinder your success. You need to approach new situations with a fresh mindset. Freelancing requires a broad perspective to avoid pitfalls. While life experience can help recover from mistakes, thorough research and preparation are essential before starting. Without a unique idea, it's challenging to make a significant profit in today's environment.