PRIMARY SCHOOL TUTORING
Expert Primary Tutors
in Hong Kong
All children should finish their primary education with a solid foundation in the three Rs: reading, writing, and arithmetic. This is the foundation which allows students to work and learn independently in secondary school. Sadly, too many primary programmes seem to have lost focus on teaching the building blocks which make such a transition possible. At BartyED, we believe strongly in benchmarks, but they are not designed to put undue pressure on children. The very nature of our academic ethos is that we recognise a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely effective. By enforcing basic standards for reading, writing and maths for our early learners, we nurture confident, self-reliant students who understand the value of education.
Common challenges
| The challenge | How BartyED helps |
|---|---|
|
Developing reading skills |
Encouraging students to develop a positive reading habit through guided reading of age-appropriate texts and verbal discussions of the themes explored. |
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Primary schools in Hong Kong all employ slightly different, and often a combination of, methods to teach spelling |
We coach mathematical skills through real-life problems and maths games. We found that a combination of visual and kinaesthetic learning styles is most effective with younger students. |
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Lack of exposure to native English speakers |
All BartyED tutors speak English to a native proficiency. In addition, our tutors working with Early Learners have experience tutoring English as a second language. |
BartyED ensures high-quality primary tutoring
From our strict hiring process, through our comprehensive on-going tutor training, BartyED places a strong emphasis on teaching quality. Our reputation for rigour is at the heart of what we do.
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| Quality marker | What it involves | Impact on teaching |
|---|---|---|
3-phase hiring process |
Our 3-phase hiring process consists of a structured interview with Jerome, a written exam across proposed subject areas, and an engagement session to assess whether the tutor can adequately explain foundational concepts in an unambiguous way, and using tangible examples. |
A strong CV is not enough. Candidates need to demonstrate strong subject knowledge, warmth and adaptability, because our tutors will become important role models for their students. Our students will learn from not only a tutor who is a subject expert, but also a passionate educator. |
Rigorous training programme |
Once hired, candidates undergo a six-month training programme to ensure deep subject and curriculum knowledge. This is overseen by our Director of Studies. |
Early learners are assigned only to our most experienced tutors who know how to instil positive learning habits and a good learning attitude from day one. They are often part of the team who carries out new staff training programmes. |
Clear and close communication between us, the parents and the school. |
We often communicate with our clients about our students' needs and progress. We also communicate quite closely with a lot of our students' schools and teachers to ensure we are consolidating all the learned materials in a timely manner. |
This allows our tutors to have a clearer idea of the teaching sequence at school, as well as areas that the students need most support with, making our customised programmes more consistent with the school's content, and more effective for the students overall. |
Primary school subjects we tutor
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| Subject | Course variant / notes |
|---|---|
Languages |
Some international primary schools in Hong Kong place English, Maths and Science as their core academic subjects, and then offer extra language courses (such as Mandarin Chinese and French as a foreign language). In other schools, Chinese and English are both subsumed under "Language". |
Mathematics |
Taught across schools of all curriculum, though the name of each unit can vary. Lessons focus on helping students to develop their number knowledge, as well as their ability to carry out basic operations, skip count, and tell time. |
Science |
Science in international primary schools varies across curriculum, with some schools focusing on several thematic "Units of Enquiry" while others focus on the scientific process, understanding data, and experimentation. |
Social Studies/Humanities |
The core topics and geography-vs-history frameworks look quite different depending on the system. However, generally speaking, Social Studies is a transdisciplinary subject that focuses on building global awareness, critical thinking, and historical literacy, all of which are important skills for academic success. |
Performing Arts |
The performing arts serve as a key pillar for building confidence, collaboration, and public presentation skills. That being said, the approach shifts according to each school's philosophy, ranging from fully embedded creative modules to highly classical, rigorous orchestral and theatrical tracks. |
Visual Arts |
Often involving Design & Technology, visual arts is taught at many international schools with a focus on collaborative learning and creative expression within the global context. Some schools also integrate some of the visual art and STEM classes to introduce structural and technical craft. |
Physical Education |
Sometimes taught alongside well-being and spirituality, physical education at the primary level plays a critical role in developing motor skills and team cooperation. Importantly, each school will have time dedicated to physical movement and fitness training, but the structure and the specific sports emphasised vary drastically between the American, IB, and traditional British systems. The extent to which emotional well-being and mental health are considered part of the subject similarly vary. |
Well-being and Spirituality |
Sometimes taught alongside physical education, religion/religious studies have now been transformed to include mental well-being and spirituality. Primary schools endeavour to include a wide-range of religious and spiritual practices, although the focus often remains on the school's own religious affiliation. |
Information Technology |
Information Technology at the primary school level is no longer treated as just "typing classes." Instead, most international schools integrate 1:1 device programs and teach digital literacy as well as programming skills. However, their structural approach splits between embedding tech into general classroom projects and teaching computer science as an analytical, standalone discipline. |
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Success stories
Our students have gone on to Oxford, Edinburgh, UCL, Duke, Brown, and Harvard.
THE BARTYED DIFFERENCE
Why BartyED for primary tutoring
Consistent, effective feedback
At BartyED, we pride ourselves on the consistent and detailed feedback we offer to parents on our students' progress every two months. Be it about phonics, the times tables, or public speaking, BartyED tutors will always guide students with constructive criticism in a student-led environment.
Mentoring, not just content
We recognise that learning the course content is only half the challenge. Our team keeps a close eye on students' organisational skills, study skills and, above all, their emotional health. Our support extends far beyond the quizzes and benchmark tests.
Reinvigorating students' curiosity and love for learning
A lot of students are put off of reading and learning nowadays because of how competitive school, and even applying to one, can be. BartyED tutors are not only here to support students in their academic journey, but also their personal growth by offering a more individualised and personal approach.
School entrance preparation as well as academic content consolidation
Our individualised programmes for early learners cover the foundations of reading, written language and mathematics as well as public speaking, presentation and debate skills. We also support additional language acquisition for early learners with Mandarin, French, Spanish, German at native and non-native levels as well as classical languages (e.g. Latin) which students can pursue as an interest subject and also in preparation for US or UK preparatory schools.
With younger learners, our focus is primarily on supporting children who may not be getting the most out of primary education. If there's a specific skill a child is particularly struggling with, we would absolutely support this. Otherwise, students below the age of 8 often benefit most from group classes and socialisation with their peers.
The very nature of our academic ethos is that we recognise a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely effective. Whether a student is a visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learner, we adapt our teaching materials according to the student's learning style and needs in order to best support them. This may sometimes involve changing subjects in the same lesson to look at both Maths and English!
Sending your child to a through-train school, which links primary and secondary sections and sometimes kindergartens, is better if you want to eliminate the heavy stress of competitive secondary school admissions and provide a stable, continuous learning path. However, stand-alone schools may be better if you prefer a smaller, more intimate campus where younger children are prioritised over older teens.
Students' engagement levels and ability to focus has changed significantly over the recent years. We always recommend coming to our Centre for in-person lessons if possible, but online lessons can provide similar improvements for students who are used to online instruction and self-motivated.
No family is the same, but we do tend to find that older children benefit from boarding school more than younger learners. In fact, the most common entry points are Years 7, 9 and 11.
Get in touch.
We'll find the right primary tutor for you.
Tell us about your child and we’ll be in touch to arrange a call. We’re always delighted to discuss your education needs and how BartyED might help.
Book a free consultation
We typically reply within one business day.
FURTHER READING