Q: Do I have to pay agent fees?
No, you don’t have to pay any agent fees.
The agency commission is deducted from the tutor fees. This means there is no extra charge on you – as long as clients follow and act according to our terms and conditions.
However, our commission is to be paid to us directly from you without going through the tutor. Regarding to the payment calculation or methods, please refer to our [Commission Policy].
Q: How will Mindworks process and handle my request?
When you have sent us a tutor request, we will shortlist suitable tutors based on your criteria and send their profiles to you via WhatsApp. After you have selected a tutor, we would proceed to finalise other details of the tuition such as the rate, time slot and start date.
Subsequently, we would send both you and your chosen tutor a confirmation letter stating all the agreed details. Once the confirmation has been issued, changes is only allowed at least 24 hours in advance to the 1st lesson. Finally, we would collect payment of our commission from you upon confirmation.
A day before the 1st lesson, we will send out reminders to both you and the tutor about the lesson. This would be the last chance to make any changes to the lesson. If changes or cancellations are being made within 24hrs before start of lesson without valid reasons, you’ll be liable for the commission stated in the invoice.
After the 1st lesson, Mindworks will ask for your feedback on the tutor and make follow-up arrangements if necessary.
Q: How can I trust the tutors provided by Mindworks?
During the process of matching, you may raise any question, be it testimonials, qualifications or experiences etc, to our tuition coordinators and we will help to get answers from the tutor’s side.
If you wish to speak to your preferred candidate, we can help to arrange 3-way call interviews so that you can share more about your concerns or situation directly to the tutor.
If you wish to further verify the tutor’s qualifications and identity, you may request that the tutor bring their relevant certificates and credentials on the 1st lesson. We try not to send online documents due to privacy and security concerns.
Q: Is there a minimum commitment?
There is no minimum commitment.
You may inform our coordinator to terminate after any number of lessons if you feel that you wish to cancel the tuition. You will be required to pay for only the lessons conducted.
Q: What if I find the current tutor unsuitable?
If the provided tutor does not meet your needs, you may simply inform our coordinator regarding the cancellation or request a replacement. We will promptly make the necessary arrangements.
Do note that you are still required to make payment to Mindworks for all lessons already conducted.
Q: How will Mindworks process and handle my request?
When you have sent us a tutor request, we will shortlist suitable tutors based on your criteria and send their profiles to you via WhatsApp. After you have selected a tutor, we would proceed to finalise other details of the tuition such as the rate, time slot and start date.
Subsequently, we would send both you and your chosen tutor a confirmation letter stating all the agreed details. Once the confirmation has been issued, changes is only allowed at least 24 hours in advance to the 1st lesson. Finally, we would collect payment of our commission from you upon confirmation.
A day before the 1st lesson, we will send out reminders to both you and the tutor about the lesson. This would be the last chance to make any changes to the lesson. If changes or cancellations are being made within 24hrs before start of lesson without valid reasons, you’ll be liable for the commission stated in the invoice.
After the 1st lesson, Mindworks will ask for your feedback on the tutor and make follow-up arrangements if necessary.
Q: How can I trust the tutors provided by Mindworks?
During the process of matching, you may raise any question, be it testimonials, qualifications or experiences etc, to our tuition coordinators and we will help to get answers from the tutor’s side.
If you wish to speak to your preferred candidate, we can help to arrange 3-way call interviews so that you can share more about your concerns or situation directly to the tutor.
If you wish to further verify the tutor’s qualifications and identity, you may request that the tutor bring their relevant certificates and credentials on the 1st lesson. We try not to send online documents due to privacy and security concerns.
Q: Is there a minimum commitment?
There is no minimum commitment.
You may inform our coordinator to terminate after any number of lessons if you feel that you wish to cancel the tuition. You will be required to pay for only the lessons conducted.
Where do I find tuition assignments?
Please register with us here.
After understanding client’s criteria and needs, we will sort out suitable tutors from our database. Then we will send an SMS to these tutors.
We will also post some of our tuition assignments on our [Telegram page]. You may ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’ our page in order to stay updated on the latest tuition assignments.
Also, by replying often and having a good record, you will increase your chances. We prioritize tutors who have previously completed assignments with us and have shown good conduct. Sometimes clients would ask for reviews and feedback from your previous assignments.
Why am I not getting responses after applying for tuition assignments?
The below are the list of reasons that might explain why you are not getting a response or successfully getting an assignment.
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Applying for assignments that are not available. Due to overwhelming responses from our tutors, we typically take 2-48 hours before we match the assignment successfully. We do suggest you to apply quickly for latest assignments.
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Applying for unsuitable assignments. A lot of assignments clearly indicate certain requirements e.g Ex/Current MOE Tutors or female only. If you do not belong that the right category and you apply for it, you will not receive any reply.
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Quoting a rate higher than the given range. We do understand that you are confident in your qualifications and experience, however quoting outside of the given budget range may also result in receiving no reply from us as our clients would usually prefer those who can fit their budget.
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You might have been blacklisted by Mindworks. Mindworks will not notify you for being blacklisted due to certain reasons such as bad attitudes towards both the parent and our coordinators, or unsatisfactory conducts* as reflected by clients.
* Here are some areas where conducts are monitored and resulted in tutor being blacklisted:
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Punctuality: Tutors ought to be punctual for every lesson. In the event of accidents, both Mindworks and the client should be informed as soon as possible. Do avoid last minute notifications.
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Responsibility: Tutors who stopped tuition directly without obtaining consent from the parent will be considered irresponsible.
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Professionalism: Tutors have to concentrate on the lesson at hand. Kindly keep your mobile phone on silent mode for the duration of the lesson.
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Dressing: Tutors should dress appropriately for the lesson. Clients have the right to reject a tutor based on their dressing.
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Any attempt to skip payment of the commission, failure to pay for the commission or unreasonable demands will result in the termination of your tutor account and you will be barred from future registration
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Any submission of false or inaccurate information - whether intentional or otherwise - which may mislead Mindworks and clients, will not be tolerated.
What is the commission like?
Mindworks takes the tuition fee of the first 2 weeks of active lessons as commission. Thereafter, you will earn the full amount of tuition fees. We will collect our commission from the client directly, and you will collect your remaining fees directly from the client from the 3rd week of active lessons onwards.
If the tuition does not last for at least 4 weeks, we will adjust the commission and transfer your share to you.
Tutors found to have tried to evade the agreed-upon commission will be blacklisted and we will claim our rightful commission through the Tribunal of Small Claims. We may also report offenders to the Police.
For full details about how commission works, please refer to our [Commision Policy].
How do I conduct my lessons?
Tutors are expected to conduct their lessons in accordance to the student’s needs. Mindworks does not monitor your teaching methods. However, clients reserve the right to cancel the tuition after any number of lessons. Mindworks will as well ask for feedback from clients when necessary. Tutors may purchase extra study materials is allowed but it should be consulted with the student beforehand and agreed upon by the student.
What is the minimum commitment?
Tutors are expected to be committed for the length of period that has been agreed upon between the tutor and the tutee. If there is no specified length, the minimum commitment is 1 month. Tutors are not legally bound under contract to complete any number of months.
However, our tuition agency expects tutors to behave responsibly and with integrity otherwise risking being blacklisted. We will review case-by-case and take appropriate action.
What are the rules regarding postponement/cancellation of lessons and commitment?
Once you have given a written (SMS, whatsapp message, email) confirmation to take up the assignment in quote, we expect you to complete at least 4 weeks of lessons. Changes are only allowed at least 24 hours in advance to the first lesson’s date.
Clients shall inform the tutor if a postponement or cancellation of a particular is needed. If the tutor is only informed less than 24 hours away to the start time of the lesson, the client shall be liable to pay for the full fee of the lesson.
You shall as well inform the client if a postponement or cancellation of a particular lesson is needed on your side. If the client is only informed less than 24 hours away to the start time of the lesson, and result in cancellation of the assignment, you will be liable for the commission stated on the confirmation letter or otherwise you will be blacklisted by Mindworks.
What is the process for applying and getting approved as a tutor?
First, register your information in our system. Please understand that your information will be used for matching. Therefore the integrity and completeness are essential.
Then, our coordinators will register your information to the system. This may take several days. After that, you can still modify your teaching preferences directly in our system (after login).
How are tutors matched with students?
Your information will be stored in a systematic database. Upon a tutor request, we will shortlist tutors by filtering the information. After that, we will send you assignment invitation. The matching will be accurate if you have input the precise profile and preferences when registered. Should you like to made any changes to your profile, feel free to let any of our coordinators know. They will be happy to assist you to make changes accordingly
If you are keen to take it up, do reply us with the details and your preference. We will propose your profile to the client.
How does the agency handle disputes or conflicts between tutors and students or parents?
Once a conflict occurs, Mindworks will actively collect all the information. We will try our best to mediate and provide an possible agreement by both parties.
However, if the conflict persists or you are not satisfied with the agreement, you may file a claim to SG Tribunals.
What support is available if a tutor has questions or needs assistance during a session?
We are glad to help you with any issue during a lesson, such as the report on students, accidental cases, and so forth.
If needed, you may also ask us for teaching materials. However, we encourage you to prepare your materials and adjust them for your student.
Are tutors required to create lesson plans, and if so, what guidelines are provided?
Tutors are generally expected to create lesson plans to organize their teaching sessions effectively. Guidelines typically include aligning lessons with the student's learning objectives and school curriculum, using varied teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles, and ensuring each session builds upon previous ones logically.
How are progress and outcomes measured for students?
Progress and outcomes for students are usually measured through various methods such as regular assessments, quizzes, tests, and assignments. Tutors track students' understanding of concepts, application of knowledge, and improvement over time to gauge their progress accurately.
What is the process for providing feedback on a student’s performance to their parents?
Feedback on a student's performance is typically communicated to parents through regular updates, progress reports, and parent-teacher meetings. Tutors discuss strengths, areas needing improvement, and strategies for further development to ensure parents are well-informed about their child's academic progress.
Are there opportunities for tutors to specialize in certain subjects or areas?
Yes, tutors can specialize in specific subjects or areas based on their expertise and qualifications. This specialization enables tutors to focus on subjects they are most proficient in, providing specialized assistance tailored to students' needs.
What is the agency’s policy on confidentiality and privacy regarding student information?
Agencies typically have strict policies ensuring confidentiality and privacy of student information. This includes securing data, obtaining consent for sharing information, and adhering to legal requirements to protect students' personal and academic records.
How does the agency ensure that the tutoring aligns with the student’s school curriculum?
Agencies ensure tutoring aligns with the student's school curriculum by reviewing curriculum guidelines, communicating with teachers or parents to understand specific learning objectives, and tailoring lessons to cover required topics and skills.
What technology or platforms are used for online tutoring sessions?
Online tutoring sessions often utilize video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, or specialized educational platforms designed for virtual learning. These platforms facilitate real-time interaction, screen sharing, and digital whiteboards to enhance the tutoring experience.
What should tutors do if they encounter a technical issue during an online session?
If tutors encounter technical issues during an online session, they should promptly inform the student or parent, attempt basic troubleshooting steps like restarting the session or adjusting settings, and seek technical support from the agency if necessary to minimize disruption.
How can tutors provide input or suggestions to the agency to improve services?
Tutors can provide input or suggestions to improve services by participating in feedback sessions, completing surveys, or directly communicating with agency management. Sharing insights on effective teaching methods, curriculum enhancements, or technological improvements helps agencies enhance their tutoring offerings.
What are the criteria for tutor performance evaluations and reviews?
Tutor performance evaluations often consider factors such as student feedback, academic results, punctuality, professionalism, and adherence to teaching guidelines. Reviews may also assess tutors' communication skills, ability to engage students, and effectiveness in achieving learning outcomes.