How do you work out what my child actually needs help with?
I (George Chantry) voice dictated every one of these articles to give my honest, transparent view on economics A-Level tutoring to answer parent questions, having worked in the tutoring industry for nine years. Please WhatsApp me if you want to discuss anything in the articles further or have any further questions.
I can diagnose a student's exact weaknesses in twenty seconds. Here's how.
Most tutors start teaching. I start by diagnosing.
Most tutors start teaching immediately. I start by diagnosing, because identifying the problem is actually harder than solving it. This is the principle behind Black and Wiliam's work on formative assessment (1998): finding out what a student actually knows, and letting that drive the teaching, produces some of the largest measured learning gains in education research.
I use four diagnostic methods.
The four diagnostic methods
Method one: I ask students to draw key diagrams. This takes twenty seconds and it tells me everything. If they can't draw a supply and demand diagram correctly, I know exactly where the foundation is cracking.
Method two: I show them diagrams and ask them to identify what they're looking at. Can they recognise an aggregate demand curve? A Keynesian LRAS? This tests a different skill — recognition versus recall.
Method three: I review their entire school folder. This is where the gold is. Missing diagrams reveal foundational gaps they don't even know they have. Teacher comments show recurring issues. Their notes reveal what was taught badly or not at all. Their marked work shows exactly where marks are being lost, and why.
Method four: I have them explain concepts in their own words. If they can explain it, they understand it. If they can't, we've found a gap. Chi and colleagues (1994) found the same thing: getting students to explain material in their own words measurably improves their understanding.
What parents say about the diagnosis-first approach
"He has been proactive identifying the gaps swiftly then tailoring each lesson to our daughter's specific needs."
Altina, parent
"He is an outstanding tutor who takes the time to thoroughly assess a student's current understanding and identify areas that require additional support."
Jo, parent
Why this matters
Why does this matter? Because diagnosis turns expensive, unfocused tutoring into targeted, high-impact sessions. Every minute of every lesson attacks a real weakness. No guessing. No wasted time. 7,000+ hours of one-to-one tutoring experience means I know exactly what to look for.
References
- Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). "Assessment and Classroom Learning." Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 5(1), 7–74.
- Chi, M. T. H., de Leeuw, N., Chiu, M.-H., & LaVancher, C. (1994). "Eliciting Self-Explanations Improves Understanding." Cognitive Science, 18(3), 439–477.
Have a question about your child’s A-Level Economics? Message me — I reply to every one personally.
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