Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What is unique about First Tutors: Canada?
2. What is the difference between going to a tutoring agency and using First Tutors: Canada?
3. Does First Tutors: Canada offer user assistance?
4. Why should I use First Tutors: Canada over the recommendation of a friend or relative?
5. I need tutoring in a subject not listed on First Tutors: Canada, can you still help?
6. How do I leave feedback on First Tutors: Canada?
7. Who uses First Tutors: Canada?

For Students

1. When do I have to pay?
2. Which tutor should I pick?
3. Do you run a Criminal Record Check on tutors?
4. How do I contact prospective tutors?
5. I would like to release the details for I tutor, but I haven't heard back from them yet...

For Tutors

1. How much does it cost to promote myself through First Tutors: Canada?
2. How will I hear from potential students?
3. How do I start giving tuition?
4. Can I update my profile?
5. I understand that students and parents are able to leave me feedback, how does this work?"
6. What if a student changes their mind and no longer needs my tuition?
7. Do I need a Criminal Record Check to become a tutor?
8. Do I need qualifications to give tuition in Canada?
9. Does First Tutors: Canada employ tutors?
10. I'm an international student, can I still tutor in Canada?

General

1. What is unique about First Tutors: Canada?

   First Tutors: Canada is Canada's only find-you-own-tutor service to allow its patrons the freedom browse all available tutors at their own leisure, and to incorporate a feedback system which allows parents and prospective students to view the previous feedback a tutor has received, and use this information to make their selection. This system also works to the advantage of the tutors, as positive reviews can be used to enhance your online tutor profile. The range of information we make available upfront makes First Tutors: Canada unique. This includes the cost of private tutoring, the tutor's qualifications, and any references or Criminal Record Check they have available.

2. What is the difference between going to a tutoring agency and using First Tutors: Canada?

   The most obvious difference is the flexibility First Tutors: Canada offers clients. Our website is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, so our facilities are available to help you find a tutor whenever it is most convenient for you! First Tutors: Canada is therefore a more efficient option than using tuition agencies, as there is no need to wait for the agency to contact tutors on your behalf to make all the necessary arrangements; our system allows you to contact the tutors directly to ask any questions you may have.

   Unlike using an agency, all the facilities First Tutors: Canada provides clients are offered free of charge, Agencies often charge not only for finding you a tutor but will add a supplementary fee to every hour of tuition given. Thus, First Tutors: Canada offers a cheaper and more convenient method of finding a tutor then using an agency, as you will only pay for the lessons provided at the rate quoted by your selected tutor.

3. Does First Tutors: Canada offer user assistance?

   We certainly do! For parents, students or tutors experiencing technical problems, our online support form allows you to contact us directly. Please send us a message and we will endeavor to provide the necessary support as soon as we can.

   If any parents or students require any advice on choosing a tutor, or determining their tuition needs, or please see our Which Tutor? section, or if you are about to commence tuition please see the Your First Lesson page.

4. Why should I use First Tutors: Canada over the recommendation of a friend or relative?

   First Tutors: Canada encourages our users to provide feedback on their tutoring sessions. This both allows members to keep us informed about how their tutoring sessions have gone, and provides unbiased information for prospective patrons. This allows parents and students to choose the best tutors available across Canada based on objective public advice. It also gives the tutors the chance to promote themselves further by including positive feedback on their online tutor profiles.

5. I need tutoring in a subject not listed on First Tutors: Canada, can you still help?

   In this instance please Contact us, and we shall do our best to help you.

6. How do I leave feedback on First Tutors: Canada?

   We are grateful to those users who take the time to provide the First Tutors: Canada website with supportive comments or suggestions, and where it is necessary try to act on this feedback quickly. Use the feedback form to tell us what you think.

7. Who uses First Tutors: Canada?
   • Our largest user base are parents who wish to find a tutor to provide their children with extra help during exam preparation, or additional support during term time. When we've been tried and tested many patrons return to First Tutors: Canada, either to find the same tutor, or to find tuition in another subject or level.
   • We also offer tutoring for adult or mature students in Canada, if you would like to take private lessons in a language or subject recreationally, we can help you too!

For Students

1. When do I have to pay?

   We charge a one-off $9.99 introduction fee only when tuition arrangements have been confirmed and both you and the tutor are ready for your contact details to be exchanged. It is entirely free to search for, browse and contact tutors. The tuition fees as quoted on tutor profiles may be subject to negotiation and are to be paid directly to the tutor. We ask that all clients honour any arrangements they make for a first lesson. If you then choose not to continue with a tutor then at least that tutor's fees have been covered, which will prevent any future conflict. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more details regarding contacting tutors and paying your fee

2. Which tutor should I pick?

   Have a look through our article, Which Tutor? for some tips on choosing as tutor.

3. Do you run a Criminal Record Check on tutors?

   We do not run any sort of background check, but do advise tutors to clearly state details of any documentation - such as a CRC, or references - that they are able to offer on their tutoring profile. We would always suggest that parents or students ask to see these documents during the first lesson if it is a concern for them.

4. How do I contact prospective tutors?

   First Tutors: Canada provides members with a secure forum through which you can discuss any specific tutoring arrangements or queries you may have as to the tutors' suitability for your requirements free of charge. When you have registered you will be able to select and contact up to four tutors at a time. Only when your tuition arrangements have been established and your tutor has given the go-ahead do we forward you their full contact details and you can then get in touch directly. At this stage we also pass your details on to the tutor, so they can contact you too.

5. I would like to release the details for I tutor, but I haven't heard back from them yet...

   We suggest that you always wait for a response from your chosen tutor before deciding to release their details. As we are not an agency we cannot guarantee the tutor you have selected will be available to tutor you, nor can we force them to respond. To avoid any disappointment we advise patrons to send inquiries to more than one tutor. You may contact up to four tutors at a time.

For Tutors

1. How much does it cost to promote myself through First Tutors: Canada?

   First Tutors: Canada is totally free for tutors!

2. How will I hear from potential students?

   Potential students will send inquiries to you via the members forum. We shall automatically inform you via email when you receive any inquires and and invite you to log on to your members area to reply. Please be aware that First Tutors: Canada will suspend the profiles of tutors that do not respond to their requests (neither accepting nor declining) so other tutors can benefit from the opportunities.

3. How do I start giving tuition?

   Both you and your student must confirm that you are happy with the tutoring arrangements, and then the client will be able to release your contact information. We will then exchange the tutor's and client's contact details, and you will be able to call them to arrange a first lesson. We suggest you act promptly to give a good impression and confirm your position.

4. Can I update my profile?

   When you have registered with First Tutors: Canada you will be able to log in to your account through your members area whenever you would like to make any necessary changes to your personal profile.

5. I understand that students and parents are able to leave me feedback, how does this work?

   Three weeks after making the introduction between tutor and client First Tutors: Canada will ask students/parents to provide a brief comment about their tutor. Referrals from other users are a crucial to both the private tuition industry and to the success of the First Tutors: Canada system. Feedback supplies prospective clients with objective information regarding the private tutors, and allows tutors to promote themselves further by posting all positive feedback on their personal profile.

6. What if a student changes their mind and no longer needs my tuition?

   This is an unlikely situation as students and/or their parents generally spend a significant amount of time deliberating which tutor will work best for them. To withdraw interest would be a waste of time on their behalf. If a patron does change their mind after releasing the tutor's detail it is generally because the tutor has not been in touch to initiate tuition quickly enough. Alternatively a client may have since chosen another tutor. This does sometimes happen and should not in any way be taken personally.

7. Do I need a Criminal Record Check to become a tutor?

   A Criminal Record Check is by no means essential, but some parents do find it reassuring. It is always helpful to have references available for clients to see.

8. Do I need qualifications to give tuition in Canada?

   The only prerequisite to provide tuition anywhere is a thorough knowledge of the subject(s) you are offering to tutor. Many parents find official qualifications appealing, but they are by no means essential. Patrons vary in what they look for in a tutor; some prefer experience; others may favor academic attainment; some clients regard personality and attitude as the most important characteristics in a tutor. The freedom of choice offered by First Tutors: Canada is one reason we are so popular.

9. Does First Tutors: Canada employ tutors?

   We do not. All the tutors you find on First Tutors: Canada are self-employed.

10. I'm an international student, can I still tutor in Canada?

    For this information please check the terms of your student / study visa to ensure you are allowed to work on a self-employed basis in Canada.

If you have any further questions not answered in our FAQs, or require additional information regarding any of the points outlined above, please send us your queries here.