Luxembourg (LUX-0618)

The student is a kind and thoughtful 13-year-old boy, who comes from a warm and supportive family. While he can come across as shy and quiet at first, once his trust is earned he comes out of his shell and is funny, engaging and a delight to spend time with. He is a bright young man with a very good work ethic and the skills, drive and ability to succeed in his academic life.

His English is sometimes a little hesitant. His spoken English is good, if a little slow, and he sometimes struggles to find the right words. This is likely to be a confidence issue rather than one of competence, especially as his understanding of spoken English is at a high level. A good Tutor will be able to work on this with the student across the subject range so that his fluency and confidence increase exponentially.

A keen sportsman, the student is already an accomplished swimmer and an excellent skier, and likes to play football with his friends. However, like many boys of his age, he also enjoys computer games, and this is having an impact on the amount of time he plays real sport. Home-schooling will be the perfect remedy for this – the family live on a large estate in the country so there is plenty of opportunity to encourage motion whether this is through outdoor activities such as orienteering, hiking or shooting, or through hands-on lessons which require physical movement such as learning physics, maths and technology skills through building various contraptions outside. There is also a local tennis court which can be used – but as yet there is no club. There are several other options available locally including rowing and perhaps archery, but the family are open to ideas and would happy to explore any sporting activities the Tutor could introduce.

In the past, he has expressed an interest in learning to play a musical instrument such as the drums or guitar. This should be further explored as a hobby if not a serious pursuit or academic subject. The boy's father has also detected a glimmer of interest in mechanics and engineering – it is hoped that the successful Tutor can capitalise on this interest and incorporate it into lessons.

The student's older sister has been home schooled for a year by a Tutors International tutor, and the family have been able to see the benefits that this has brought academically, socially and in terms of freedom of travel. They wish to replicate her education experience, but as she is still studying with her Tutor, a second Tutor is required.

This role calls for an able, calm and well-qualified educator who can deliver the full spectrum of IGCSE subjects including the sciences, mathematics, humanities and English. The student recently sat his IGCSE exams in French and German so while there is no requirement for formal language tuition from the Tutor, given their location, the Tutor themselves will find the assignment easier if they have a good grasp of either or both.

The successful Tutor will join an existing Tutors International Tutor who is currently responsible for the education of the older sister. While the focus of this role is undoubtedly the boy, it may be that the two Tutors have different specialisms and can therefore swap the occasional lesson between them. There are certainly some circumstances where a more collaborative approach would be welcome, such as in staging a drama production, or for some of the sporting activities. The Tutor should be comfortable working in a team environment, and while they should remain relatively independent of the existing Tutor, they should be happy to collaborate or help out where necessary. The children’s’ mother enjoys being closely involved in her children’s education, so the Tutor should be comfortable including her in some of their lessons.

The Tutor must have an excellent academic record, a passion for learning and a deep-seated enthusiasm for sharing knowledge. The family are not aiming at mediocrity – the Tutor should be in a position to plan and deliver superb, engaging lessons which lead to the student achieving top grades across his exam subjects.

Given the flexibility of home schooling, the Tutor should aim to incorporate as much of their surroundings as possible into the lessons of the day, taking advantage of their location to bring alive a history, science or mathematics lesson, blending subjects where appropriate to reduce repetition, and inspiring and enthusing the student with the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. The Tutor will be responsible for planning a curriculum, setting a timetable, delivering lessons and assessing mastery. It is anticipated that Tutor and student will follow a standard routine of classes in the morning from 8 am – 12 pm, followed by a break for lunch. The afternoon will comprise of 2-4 hours of physical activity, be it learning a new sport or skill, or using the time to literally build on the morning’s lessons through practical application of theories. Should the Tutor wish to make use of the local tennis court and set up a club for local children and families, they would be encouraged to do so.

There is a balance to be struck between maintaining a steady routine, but also being flexible enough to embrace any changes that the family make in terms of travel plans. The Tutor should be able to adapt his or her teaching plans at short notice, and should relish the challenges associated with teaching lessons in different surroundings. It is likely that the family will increase their traveling as they settle into home-schooling, and the Tutor should ensure they take full advantage of each new destination.

The Tutor will need to be highly organised and an excellent record keeper. He or she should be able to provide evidence of the work covered and to what level should future school applications require additional assurance that standards have been maintained. In addition to preparing the student for his IGCSEs (scheduled for summer 2021) the Tutor must lay very firm foundations to help him ensure academic success. He or she should introduce tricks and tips for effective study methods, as well revision strategies and stress management exercises which could help in his future life – both academic and professional.

The Tutor should be an interesting and erudite individual, open minded, well-travelled and well versed in pedagogic theory. He or she will not only be an excellent educator, but also a good role model: educated and polished, with excellent manners and personal values. It would be a bonus to find Tutors who can bring extracurricular activities or skills that can be shared and enjoyed by the whole family, such as drawing, music or debate.

The Tutor is normally expected to work with the student between the hours of 8 am and 4.30 pm with prep time in addition. There should be no need for additional homework unless there is something specific which needs to be practiced. The days should normally follow a structured timetable which includes regular breaks, opportunities for sport and other extracurricular activities. There may be occasions when flexible working hours are required, for example, to fit in with the family’s travel plans.

The Tutor is entitled to two consecutive days off per week which will usually be Saturday and Sunday. The Tutor may need to be flexible in this regard as there may be the odd occasion when the Tutor is required to work either on a Saturday or Sunday, but in these cases, the Client will try to give the Tutor at least a week’s notice of when their ‘weekend’ break will be. Untaken weekend days that have accrued will also be compensated by a pro-rated payment in lieu.

The Tutor will be entitled to a minimum of 9 weeks (45 working days) paid vacation per annum at times convenient to the Client.

The Client will provide accommodation in Luxembourg. If the Tutor is married or has children, then the Tutor will reimburse the Client for the difference between a reasonably priced single-person accommodation and whatever the Tutor prefers. Likewise, the cost utilities for a single person, except for the Tutor’s personal phone bills, unless the Tutor travels with her spouse and/or children. The Client will cover any travel expenses associated with this role, as well as meals and food during any periods of travel.

If the Tutor does not have her or his own car, one may be provided. This car is only to be driven by the Tutor(s) and only for reasonable local use. Car rental is inexpensive in Luxembourg and it would be advisable for a Tutor without a car to rent or buy one of his or her own.

The Tutor must be fit and healthy, a non-smoker, without visible piercings or tattoos.

The Tutor needs to ensure that he or she has the requisite travel and health insurance, has received the required vaccinations, and has the necessary visas.