How to Become A Maths Tutor In South Africa

Math tutors, also known as mathematics tutors, teach students of all grade levels how to comprehend their math coursework, complete math homework, and prepare for math tests. Students, parents, schools, and academic businesses hire math tutors for flexible full- and part-time shifts.

What is the role of a math tutor?

A math tutor helps students with their math studies, either individually or in small groups. As a math tutor, your responsibilities and duties include assessing what mathematics material your students have mastered, where they need assistance, and how they learn best.

What does a private tutor do?

Hired by a student or family, a private tutor provides one-on-one instruction to help students achieve their academic or personal learning goals. They work with students on specific subjects, especially the ones they’re struggling with, or to prepare for exams.

What qualifies you as a tutor?

Qualifications are not mandatory to work as a Tutor, as it’s an unregulated industry. However, qualifications and association memberships are looked on favourably. Complete a higher school certificate with a high ATAR to show good academic transcripts if you’re currently a university student.

Below are steps to Become A Maths Tutor In South Africa

Step 1Graduate from High School

Tutors need at least a high school diploma to work with students. Diplomas also allow tutors to continue their education at community colleges or four-year universities should they choose to study teaching or become subject matter experts.

Step 2Complete Tutoring Training & Education

There are multiple training pathways for tutors. For individuals with a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a high demand field, such as English, mathematics or science, tutoring certification programs are sufficient (See Step 4).

For those who’d like to work in the classroom, formal training in education is the next step. These options include teacher aide certificates, and teacher’s aide or teacher preparation associate degrees. 

Step 3Join a Tutoring Association

National tutoring associations can be a tremendous resource for current and future tutors: benefits include mentorship opportunities, industry newsletters, attendance at annual conferences, networking events and tutoring certifications.

Prospective tutors can join groups such as the National Tutoring Association, the American Tutoring Association, and the Association for Tutoring Professionals.

Step 4Earn Tutoring Certification

Some employers may require certification. Formal tutoring certifications provide advanced instruction in key tutoring strategies and techniques while enhancing professional credibility. Candidates may pursue basic and advanced certifications from the National Tutoring Association, South African Tutoring Association and other certifying bodies.

Step 5Get Licensed, Advertise Services and Set Rates

State boards of education often require tutors working in school settings to be licensed. Private tutors may set their own rates and advertise their services. These professionals are not regulated or licensed, which means private tutors do not have to complete any additional training requirements beyond their chosen credential.

Choosing the Right Tutor Certification

Tutoring is not regulated at the state or national level. Instead, both entry-level and seasoned tutors can select from a range of tutoring certification programs to develop new competencies and become certified.

There are three major certifying bodies for tutors: the South African Tutoring Association, Association for Tutoring Professionals, the College Reading and Learning Association, and the National Tutoring Association. The table below offers a snapshot of several tutoring certifications and their requirements.

ORGANIZATIONCERTIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS
American Tutoring AssociationATA TutorBachelor’s degree and one year of teaching or tutoring experience; a clear background check and two letters of recommendation
Association for the Tutoring ProfessionAssociate TutorTen hours of training; at least 25 hours of tutoring experience; an ATP membership and two letters of recommendation
Association for the Tutoring ProfessionAdvanced TutorAt least 20 hours of tutor training; at 50 hours of tutoring experience; ATP membership and two letters of recommendation
Association for the Tutoring ProfessionMaster TutorAt least 30 hours of tutor training; 75 hours of tutoring experience; ATP membership and two letters of recommendation
College Reading and Learning AssociationLevel I TutorAt least 12 hours of training, 25 hours of tutoring experience and a GPA of 3.25 or above.
College Reading and Learning AssociationLevel II TutorLevel 1 certification, plus; 12 hours of formal training and an additional 20 hours of tutoring experience.
College Reading and Learning AssociationLevel III TutorLevel I and Level II certification requirements, plus: complete 25 additional hours of tutoring and two hours of real-time supervised learning sessions
National Tutoring AssociationBasic Level TutorA high school diploma; a current NTA membership; 10 hours of tutoring experience; basic tutoring training and assessment

Preparing for Tutor Careers: Tutor Certification & Related Degrees

There are no official tutoring degree programs at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Instead, most tutors come to the profession after completing one in a related field, such as education, business or mathematics. The following institutions offer appropriate training programs.

Tutoring Facilities and Providers

Tutoring organizations and private tutoring companies (e.g. Test Masters, Varsity Tutors) offer tutoring preparation training programs. These programs are entirely focused around the organization’s tutoring specialty (e.g. GMAT) or focus (elementary school tutoring). Students learn teaching methods, how to conduct one-on-one tutoring and student assessment techniques.

Community College

Community colleges provide both formal academic degrees and continuing education certificates. Although there are no official tutoring programs, education programs are an ideal alternative. Two-year programs in early childhood education or teacher preparation teach the fundamentals of working with students.

4-Year Schools

Universities and colleges provide degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Again, there are no recognized bachelor’s or graduate degrees in tutoring. Education is a related major that degrees can be a stepping stone to teaching or tutoring in K-12 educational settings. A bachelor’s degree in education also provides students with a fundamental understanding of teaching pedagogy, classroom management and effective teaching strategies.

Tutoring Certification & Related Programs

The best preparation for becoming a tutor is becoming a subject-matter expert. Whether one studies business as a banking professional, English as a middle school teacher or foreign languages as a translator, there are numerous ways to prepare to be a tutor.

Not all tutors have education degrees, but education is a central pathway to tutoring careers. Learn more about the different training and educational programs available to current and future tutors.

Certificate in Tutoring

Certificate programs offer short-term training to and specialization to professionals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Colleges and universities do not offer graduate certificates in tutoring, but some formal tutoring organizations, such as Pearson or Sylvan, offer internal programs. Note that academic graduate certificates are distinct from the professional certifications listed previously.

Teacher Aide Certificate

Teacher aide/assistant certificates are typically one-year career-oriented training programs designed for entry-level employment in early learning facilities and K-12 institutions.

These programs teach students how to work with a diverse learner population, how to manage and organize a classroom, and how to interact with students, their families and administrators. Students also study how to assist students with assignments, administer examinations, set up instructional materials and use educational technology.

How much do maths tutors charge in South Africa?

A tutor generally earns between R180 and R200 per hour, however the more hours you do for a family the lower the rate. If you work an average of 2 hours per day, 4 days per week you can look at earning between R3500 and R4500 per month.

Can I tutor maths without a degree in South Africa ?

The Qualifications You Need to Become a Maths Tutor

As most tutors are self-employed (even if they work for agencies), it’s up to the clients to decide if you are qualified enough to be their tutor. This means that an A-Level Maths qualification, or even a Maths degree, will help you stand out to potential students.

How much does a tutor get paid an hour in South Africa ?

For private tutoring from a student or teaching assistant, you can expect to pay an average of R 383.45 per hour. For high-level tutors such as professors or teachers, you can expect to pay R 383.45 per hour or more. The cost of private tutoring can also vary depending on where you live.

What qualification do you need to teach maths in South Africa ?

You’ll usually need GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including Maths, English and Science, and a degree in a relevant subject. Work: You could also work towards this career by starting as a teaching assistant and doing a part-time degree

Who can be a maths tutor in South Africa ?

To become a tutor, you should get your A Levels in the subject you want to teach from either a sixth form or a college. After that you have a few options: a maths degree is the obvious choice. However, there are other related undergraduate degrees that also will provide you with the skills needed to teach maths.

Do you need a level maths to be a maths teacher in South Africa ?

You can become a maths teacher even if maths isn’t the subject of your first degree. Those who have A-level maths but need to transition from another degree subject, or perhaps have a maths degree but are coming to teaching from another profession, take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course.

How can I become a teacher without university in South Africa ?

In New South Wales, for example, your studies will need to satisfy the demands of the NSW Education Standards Authority. If you’ve not started uni, a Bachelor of Education with a major relevant to the type of teaching you intend to be doing is ideal. You can find a list of NSW government-approved institutions here.

Can I study teaching at Unisa?

Interested students must already be professional teacher with a professional teaching qualification as stipulated in the Unisa Rules. Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Education. Unisa will be offering an Advanced Diploma in Education in Intermediate Phase Mathematics Teaching from 2020.