This session discussed such important elements of discussing international tutoring, where our members joined us as panellists and we discussed:

• Navigating cultural differences
• Gender identity
• Attitudes to neurodivergence
• Explored assumptions with different cultures (and how this affects us and how we show up)

Thank you to all of our members who join us each week in these spaces to discuss such important topics about how we continue to provide tutoring in a safe, supportive and engaging way.

In this enlightening episode of QT Conversations, we gathered to discuss the intricacies of international tutoring and cultural literacy with a focus on how tutors can navigate and thrive in a global tutoring landscape. Together with fellow tutors, we explored a range of themes, each crucial to supporting international students and enriching the tutoring experience for both students and educators.

Key discussion points included:

• Navigating Practicalities: We covered essential logistics like managing different time zones, currencies, and navigating global curriculums like IB, TEFL, and national standards to meet students' varied educational needs.

• Cultural Expectations: Tutors shared insights on understanding and respecting cultural expectations placed on students by their families, as well as adapting communication and engagement strategies to build stronger relationships with students and parents.

• Flexibility & Financial Benefits: Working with international students allows for more flexible scheduling, such as daytime tutoring across time zones, ultimately increasing the opportunity for tutors to work more hours and diversify income streams.

• Group Dynamics Across Borders: We discussed how group tutoring dynamics vary when students are located in different parts of the world, as well as techniques for managing diverse perspectives within the group setting.

• Lifestyle & Life Stages: International tutoring opens doors to lifestyle flexibility, from remote work opportunities to adapting to new stages of life, allowing tutors to develop unique connections with students across cultures and locations.

Ultimately, we highlighted the value of “going where the student is” — recognizing and addressing both educational poverty and wealth globally. Our goal is to make learning accessible by meeting students where they are, supporting their growth in ways that honor both their needs and ours as tutors. This session underscored our shared commitment to creating inclusive, culturally literate tutoring experiences worldwide.

In this session, we open up the floor with our tutors to have a comprehensive exploration of effective online tutoring strategies grounded in research.

In this episode, we delve into key topics such as the importance of evidence-informed practice, technology integration, and fostering student trust and autonomy in learning.

Insights from notable educational texts were shared, including works by Daisy Christodoulo and Doug Lemov, while Dr. Fiona Aubrey-Smith's concept of 'dissolving the screen' was highlighted as a vital approach to online teaching.

We also discuss student-centred learning, encouraging tutors to consider their pedagogical intentions and the use of technology to enhance engagement. We finished by reflecting on our own experiences and concluded with actionable takeaways, prompting them to evaluate their practices in research-informed tutoring.

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Qualified Tutor was born out of a need for community, connection and collaboration opportunities for tutors by Julia Silver. This has flourished into a way for tutors globally to connect with their peers, access professional development, and grow their own tutoring businesses no matter the stage they are at in their tutoring.

Find out more about how you can become a QT Member, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.