Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about First Tutors: South Africa?
What is the difference using a tuition agency and using First Tutors: South Africa?
Does First Tutors: South Africa offer user support?
Why should I use First Tutors: South Africa over the recommendation of a friend?
I need tutoring in a subject not listed here, can you help me?
How can I leave feedback?
Who uses First Tutors: South Africa?
I'm looking to recruit several tutors to give evening classes, can you help?

What is unique about First Tutors: South Africa?
First Tutors: South Africa is unique as it remains the only tutor-finding website in South Africa allowing tutors to promote themselves through free public profiles, which those in search of tuition can access - also free of charge - and the only website that allows tutors and students to discuss the particulars of their tutoring arrangements before making any financial commitment, i.e. when the advertising has proved its value. First Tutors: South Africa gives users greater choice and is clear about what tutors can offer in terms of qualifications, experience, and how much they charge upfront.
What is the difference using a tuition agency and using First Tutors: South Africa?
Firstly, cost. First Tutors: South Africa will only charge a single R 60.00 fee per tutor, and only when both student and tutor have confirmed arrangements and are ready to proceed with tuition lessons. Unlike many agencies we will not charge commission fro every hour of tuition provided, so all you pay in the long term is the tutors tuition fee as detailed on their personal profile. Secondly, First Tutors: South Africa is available all day and night, so whenever it may suit you to use our website, you can! Finally, who you choose from our database, and why you might pick that individual is entirely up to you. We are not here to interfere, just to facilitate a smooth and effective transaction, and offer users the widest range of tutors possible!
Does First Tutors: South Africa offer user support?
We certainly do. For tutors or users experiencing technical difficulties, please contact us via our online support form and we will help you with any problems.

If parents or students would like some tips on choosing a tutor, read through our article Which Tutor? or for those about to begin tuition please see Your First Lesson.
Why should I use First Tutors: South Africa over the recommendation of a friend?
First Tutors: South Africa has incorporated a feedback system into the site, which encourages users to leave feedback on their tutor and the tuition received. This allows users to see the recommendations of several past students and assess if the tutor will be best for them. this both supplies new users with objective advice, and gives the best tutors the chance to stand out from the crowd.
I need tutoring in a subject not listed here, can you help me?
Please Contact us with the details of the tuition you need and we'll make every effort to help you out.
How can I leave feedback?
Use the feedback form provided to tell us what you think! All feedback First Tutors: South Africa receives is much appreciated and where appropriate we usually act on it quickly.
Who uses First Tutors: South Africa?
- Parents with children in both public and private schools, either to help with revision for upcoming exams, or for more general term time support. We also supply tuition at university level for students who are feeling the pressure! Once we've been tried and tested we receive a lot of repeat custom.
- Those mature students or adult learners looking to refresh their education or learn a new subject entirely.
- We can also provide competitively priced training for any businesses in south Africa looking for quality tuition in computer skills or foreign languages.
I'm looking to recruit several tutors to give evening classes, can you help?
It is very likely we can. Please contact us to discuss your needs further, or why not try posting an ad in the marketplace.

If you have any further questions not answered in our FAQs, or are unsure about any of the information supplied, please send us your questions here.

Tutors

For FAQs we receive from tutors please click here

Students and Parents

For FAQs made by students and parents please click here

Frequently Asked Questions by Students

When do I have to pay?
First Tutors: South Africa charges users a one-off R 60.00 when both tutor and client have confirmed the details of their tuition arrangement and are ready to proceed with their tutoring. The tutor's lesson fees are to be paid directly to the tutor by their client. We ask that once you have released a tutor's details, you please honour your commitment and organise and pay for your first lesson with that tutor. This ensures that the fee tutors also have to pay is covered, and compensates for any time they have spent planning the lesson. If you then decide to use a different tutor in the future this will obviously be a reflection of how satisfied you were with the tuition provided. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further details.
How do I pick a tutor?
The criteria you use to choose tutors is entirely up to you. However if you would like some advice, please browse through our article, Which Tutor?.
Can the tutors on First Tutors: South Africa provide up to date Police Clearance Certificates?
If they do this will be mentioned on their personal tutor profile, along with any references a tutor can supply. However, you should bear in mind that the information included on tutor profiles are self-declarations, so do not hesitate to request proof of such documents if you require clarification.
How do I contact the tutors?
You must be registered on First Tutors: South Africa before you can contact tutors (free!) through our system. You can discuss the details of your tuition through the private members forum prior to confirming a tutor, and if they also accept you as a tutor we shall automatically send each of you the other's details subject to the payment of a modest R 60.00 fee.
I want the contact details for a tutor I have not yet heard back from.
All tutors are contacted as soon as as an enquiry has been made for their service, but we cannot force them to respond (although we do encourage them to). We would always recommend you contacting more than one tutor, two as a minimum.

General FAQs

For more general FAQs about First Tutors please click here

or if you have any questions that were not answered here, or find any of the answers supplied unclear, please send us your questions here.

Frequently Asked Questions from Tutors

How will prospective students contact me?
How do I start tutoring?
How do I change my profile?
How do I pay my fees to First Tutors: South Africa?
I understand students can leave feedback about me, how does this work?
What if a student decides they no longer requires my tuition?
Do I need a police clearance certificate to be a tutor?
What qualifications do I need to be a tutor?
Are tutors employed by First Tutors: South Africa?
I'm an international student, can I be a tutor?

How will prospective students contact me?
When a potential student had made a tuition enquiry we will automatically send you an e-mail inviting you to log in to your member area and respond to the request, which we would suggest you do as soon as possible. Tutors who do not reply to students (neither accepting or declining requests) will have their profiles suspended so other tutors can benefit from the opportunities.
How do I start tutoring?
When both you and your prospective student have confirmed you both are happy to proceed with the tuition request, and any additional details have been established using our private members area, we will forward you their contact details so you can call and arrange a first lesson. We suggest this first lesson is arranged as quickly as possible. Remember that by accepting a tuition request you are agreeing to pay the small tutor advertising fee as outlined in the 'How does it Work' section.
How do I change my profile?
Registered members of First Tutors: South Africa are free to log in at any time of the day or night to make necessary changes to their profiles or update their fees.
How do I pay my fees to First Tutors: South Africa?
We provide a secure facility through which you can pay online using credit or debit card, or through Sage Pay. We will e-mail you to request payment.
I understand students can leave feedback about me, how does this work?
Within a month of tuition commencing we always ask that students create a brief comment about their tutor. The tuition industry is very reliant on referrals, so the more good feedback you receive as a tutor and display on your personal profile, the more enquiries you are likely to get. Of course, tutors can also reply to or contest any feedback.
What if a student decides they no longer requires my tuition?
If this happens prior to the exchange of details it is likely that your student has simply selected another tutor because they can offer better rates, live closer or, or meet the personal requirements of that user better then you can. Please do not take this personally; another request could come through at any time!

However, if you have exchanged details remember that most students put a lot consideration into choosing a tutor and have just paid to access your details, so it would be a waste of their time and money to change their mind. In the rare instance this does happen it is because the tutor has left too long between receiving a student's contact details and initiating tuition. Please ask your student to contact us if this is the case.
Do I need a police clearance certificate to be a tutor?
No, although bear in mind many parents find it reassuring. In the absence of a clearance certificate it will always help to have references available for clients to see.
What qualifications do I need to be a tutor?
The only qualification you need is to be able to effectively tutor children or students of all ages the subject you claim you can! There are no prerequisites and tutors come from all walks of life. Some are academics or teachers, some are students, on gap years or professionals. Clients attach importance to different qualities and backgrounds in their tutors, which is why the ability to browse several different tutors is so appealing to our users.
Are tutors employed by First Tutors: South Africa?
None of the tutor listed are employed by First Tutors: South Africa. We merely provide a securely facility find tutor, who all work on a self-employed basis.
I'm an international student, can I be a tutor?
Of course you can! As long as you are authorised by the terms of your visa to work on a self-employed basis.