At EduWW online school, tutoring is tailored to each student’s unique pace and learning needs, providing a personalized educational experience.
In our interview with Tamara, our Head Tutor, she discusses her distinctive teaching methods that set EduWW apart from traditional schools.
Tamara, one of the first tutors at EduWW, brings a wealth of experience to her role. She fluently speaks three languages and adapts her teaching approach to meet each student’s unique needs.
Her commitment to creating a supportive and interactive learning environment reflects her passion for education and dedication to encouraging student progress.
How does your teaching method differ from the traditional approach?
My teaching method at the international online school focuses more on students’ needs. I emphasize interactivity and personalizing the teaching material, while traditional schools follow a standardized curriculum.
I allow students to work at their own pace, which is often impossible in conventional schools due to fixed deadlines and group tasks.
What do you believe is essential in your relationship with your students, and how do you encourage them to listen to and respect you? In what ways do you achieve this more effectively than teachers in traditional schools?
Key elements are trust, respect, and adapting to each student. I set clear expectations by listening to each student’s needs and getting to know them. When I understand what they enjoy, it becomes much easier to explain lesson material in a way that resonates with them.
For example, I once had a student who adored insects—science quickly became his favorite subject. I used his love for science as motivation for other subjects, making science lessons a reward for a job well done.
In the beginning, we even practiced addition and subtraction by counting ladybugs and mosquitoes. By creating a friendly environment where students feel supported, I help them stay engaged and eager to learn.
What do you enjoy the most about tutoring in an international online school and teaching children from different parts of the world?
I love the rich diversity of cultures and perspectives I get to experience! Teaching children from different parts of the world brings a wealth of experiences and allows me to expand my teaching methods—whether it’s using storytelling for a student who learns best through engaging stories, incorporating visual aids for a more pictorial learner, or adjusting examples to reflect cultural references they understand.
Adapting to various contexts and languages makes learning more engaging and meaningful for them. This global connection is truly invaluable.
I also learn so much from them—I adapt to their ways of life, cultures, and customs, which enriches my own understanding. Now, I can even say a word or two in each of my students’ languages!
How do students socialize?
Students socialize through virtual classrooms, group projects, and various student clubs that are aligned with their interests. These clubs, such as photography, writing, gaming, music, and debate, provide excellent opportunities for students to exchange ideas, develop creativity, and collaborate with peers from different countries.
For example, in the photography club, students can share their work and receive feedback, while in the writing club, they have the chance to develop their literary skills and work on collaborative projects.
The gaming club encourages teamwork and strategic thinking through fun activities, group tournaments, and problem-solving games, while the music club allows for the exchange of musical skills and joint online performances.
In the debate club, students practice their communication skills and engage in discussions on various topics. We also have inter-club connections that further enhance their work.
For instance, when a student writes a nice story in the writing club, we can ask talented students from the photography or art club to illustrate that story. This type of collaboration fosters creativity and allows students to work on joint projects, integrating various skills and talents.
Such activities not only help students develop a sense of community and friendship but also provide them with opportunities to enhance their social skills, creativity, and self-confidence, all within a virtual environment.
Although they are not physically present together, these interactions allow them to be a part of a global community and expand their academic and cultural horizons.
How do students overcome language barriers?
Language barriers can be overcome by using simple and tailored language and rich visual materials such as images, charts, and videos, which help students better understand the material regardless of language differences.
Additionally, students are allowed to use integrated translation tools on the platform, enabling quicker access to content in their native language while simultaneously developing their skills in English.
We pay great attention to gradual progress and the development of language skills. Continuous communication with teachers and peers plays a key role in this process.
Through regular discussions, feedback, and teamwork, students have the opportunity to practice their language skills in real situations.
We also encourage students to engage in various activities and clubs, where they can develop their language skills through practical examples and social interactions, further helping them to feel liberated and more confident in using English.
All of these methods together enable students to overcome language barriers in a natural and progressive way.
Mathematics, for example, is often easier to teach across languages because it relies on universal concepts that exist in every language. It’s also rewarding to note that I, too, have been learning languages alongside my students. This isn’t just a space where they acquire new knowledge—it’s one where tutors grow along with them.
For instance, after working for six months with a Romanian student who initially spoke no English, I could count and even explain some basic concepts in Romanian. Recognizing my effort to clarify lessons in his native language, he became more motivated to learn English.
At first, we communicated in a mix of both languages, but as time passed, he used less Romanian until he was finally able to converse confidently in English.
What aspects of EduWW school would you bring to a traditional school?
Although it may not always be feasible, I would adopt a personalized approach to learning, offer flexibility in deadlines, and place greater emphasis on students’ interests.
Interactive content and digital tools are another great advantage I would love to introduce into traditional education. One significant benefit is that students can retake quizzes up to two additional times if they are not satisfied with their grades.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that students have short quizzes consisting of 3 to 4 questions after each lesson. This approach is incredibly valuable, as it allows them to assess their understanding of the material and prepare effectively for the final exam at the end of each module.
Also, choosing elective subjects is something I wish I had as an option when I went to school.
How do you motivate students in an online environment? What do you use to keep them engaged in class?
I use various interactive tools, such as quizzes, video lessons, and virtual games, to engage students and make learning more interesting. These tools help maintain students’ attention and accommodate different learning styles, adapting to each student’s individual needs.
The highly interactive platform allows our youngest students to learn practically through play, which is fantastic! This type of learning not only makes content more accessible but also encourages curiosity and a spirit of exploration.
Furthermore, I keep students motivated by providing regular feedback, which is essential for their development. This feedback helps them. I also create dynamic and challenging tasks to inspire students to explore and be creative.
At certain times of the year, I introduce an activity where students take on the role of teachers while I step into the role of a student and pretend to know nothing. They must prepare a lesson and present it to their peers, and this approach has proven to be an excellent and effective way for them to learn.
It not only fosters critical thinking but also encourages them to handle challenging situations that require quick responses, thus preparing them for real-life scenarios.
Most importantly, I strive to show them how much I care about their learning. When we invest so much love and attention into something, it doesn’t go unnoticed by our students—they recognize it and are motivated to put in extra effort as well.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a tutor in an international online school, and how do you overcome them?
We don’t face many challenges as active communication with students and their parents makes things easier for us and improves their experience. If I had to highlight a challenge, it would be the different forms of the curriculum for students from different countries.
For example, when a student from Brazil joins our school, they may not be familiar with topics like American history or American literature. This can make it a bit harder for them to adapt initially.
To address this, I maintain a flexible schedule and clear communication, ensuring that each student has enough time and support to learn these new subjects.
Another challenge is maintaining a high level of engagement in the online environment, which I achieve through constant innovation in materials and teaching methods. I strive to regularly refresh content and implement new approaches that stimulate students and make learning more engaging.
For example, I incorporate interactive quizzes, gamified lessons, and real-world case studies to encourage active participation and deepen understanding. The platform itself provides a wealth of engaging resources, such as games and videos, tailored to different educational levels.
Elementary school students can enjoy spelling games like Hangman, grammar and vocabulary exercises, and are often asked to draw something that made the biggest impression on them from their science or social studies lessons, allowing them the opportunity to be critics of their own learning.
Math homework may involve counting everyday objects like macaroni, rice, or chairs around the house. Middle and high school students, being more mature, engage in activities suited to their age, such as matching words with their definitions, linking historical events to the years they occurred, and putting events in chronological order.
What is your role in organizing extracurricular activities, such as school trips or teamwork, that allow students to socialize and develop outside academic frameworks?
Although we have formed a special team that organizes school trips and various team activities and projects, I am here to support all ideas that encourage students to collaborate and foster team spirit.
These activities are designed to develop social skills, critical thinking, and creativity while connecting them with peers from different countries.
In summary
Through Tamara’s insights, it’s clear that EduWW’s model offers more than just academic success; it cultivates essential social skills, creativity, and confidence.
With opportunities for students to participate in diverse clubs and extracurricular activities, EduWW provides a dynamic and inclusive environment where students from around the world can connect and learn from each other.
This global perspective, combined with personalized attention, empowers students to grow in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.
