When deciding on a supplemental education service for a student, parents often struggle with the decision between Kumon and other tutoring services. In this article, we aim to answer the question: is Kumon better than tutoring?
We will explore the pros and cons of both services, as well as discuss their respective cost and student success rate.
What is Kumon?
Kumon is an international learning program focused on helping students build strong academic foundations in math and English. It is one of the largest education-based after-school enrichment companies in the world, with over 4 million students in 50 countries. The main goal of the program is to help students build strong basic skills so they can move ahead to more advanced topics.
The program focuses on the four main principles of “mastery learning,” which are repetition, self-learning, goal setting, and patient progress.
What Are the Benefits of Kumon?
When it comes to the benefits of Kumon, they can be divided into a few distinct categories. Firstly, Kumon is incredibly immersive, and its commitment is based on the belief that consistency is the key to developing new skills. Furthermore, its personalized approach makes it easy for students to learn at their own pace, which can be a refreshing change from regular classroom lessons.
It also encourages self-motivation through its focus on goal setting, and it has been proven to help students of all ages, from preschoolers to high schoolers. Additionally, Kumon offers a variety of curriculum options, covering both language and math.
This enables the program to cater to different student learning styles, such as visual and auditory learners, as well as those with different subject interests. The courses are also designed to help students move up the educational ladder, making them more confident and prepared to take on bigger challenges. Finally, Kumon offers a standardized assessment to all students at the start of their program to measure their progress.
This helps to ensure accountability, as the student knows that assessment is coming up, and they need to meet the required criteria in order to move on to more advanced levels.
What is Tutoring?
Tutoring is a method of providing individualized instruction for students. Tutors typically provide extra help outside of the classroom, and can specialize in any subject or skill, from math and science to foreign languages and social studies. Tutoring can range from one-on-one sessions to small group sessions, and can focus on either subject-specific or specific-skill instruction.
What Are the Benefits of Tutoring?
Similar to Kumon, tutoring has a number of benefits for students. Firstly, it provides personalized attention, as the tutor is able to adjust their instruction to fit the individual learner’s needs.
This can be especially helpful for students who may have difficulty understanding concepts in traditional classroom settings, as they receive additional support. Secondly, tutoring can help boost student confidence, as the tutor provides feedback and encouragement in an environment free of competition. By feeling confident in their abilities, students can better retain the material they are learning.
Thirdly, tutoring sessions can be tailored to different learning styles and interests, so students can focus on the topics they enjoy most. Furthermore, the tutoring process encourages students to think more deeply and develop their analytical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Lastly, tutors can help students prepare for tests and quizzes in their regular classes. Through practice exams and quizzes, students can hone their test-taking skills and gain a better understanding of the material, thereby improving their overall grades.
What is the Cost of Kumon vs. Tutoring?
When it comes to the cost of Kumon and tutoring, there is a clear difference between the two services. The average cost of Kumon ranges from $100 to $200 per month, depending on the location and provided services.
On the other hand, the cost of tutoring services can range anywhere from $30 to $75 per hour, with many tutors charging on a sliding scale. This can make tutoring more cost-effective than Kumon, depending on the student’s needs and budget.
What is the Student Success Rate of Kumon vs. Tutoring?
When comparing student success rates, Kumon and tutoring both have their merits. According to the results of a 2020 study, 84% of Kumon instructors reported that the students in their program made significant improvement in their academic skills.
This number is even higher, at 94%, when looking at an older 2018 study. On the other hand, tutoring services often report high student satisfaction scores, with many tutors noting that their students are motivated and focused during the sessions.
What is the Difference Between Kumon and Tutoring?
The main difference between Kumon and tutoring lies in their approach. Kumon is a more structured and organized program, based on the four principles of “mastery learning,” as mentioned earlier.
It provides a standardized assessment to measure progress and is designed to help students move up the educational ladder. In contrast, tutoring is a more personalized approach, with tutors focusing on the specific needs of their students. Tutors are able to adjust their instruction to fit the individual learner’s needs and provide feedback and encouragement in an environment free of competition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that both Kumon and tutoring offer a number of benefits for students. While Kumon is a more structured program, with a standardized assessment to measure progress, tutoring is a more personalized approach, tailored to the specific needs and interests of the student. Ultimately, the decision as to which service is better for the student should be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on the individual needs of the student.