A Guide to Become a Private Tutor in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — Every evening in Dimapur, as school hours end, many young learners don’t head straight home. Instead, they gather in small study groups or visit a neighbour’s house for extra lessons. These extra lessons – commonly known as 'private tutoring' – have become a routine part of student life in Nagaland and across India. 

If you’re someone who knows little about private tutoring, this guide will walk you through everything from the basics to the specifics of becoming a tutor. We’ll explore what private tutoring really means, why it’s in demand, and how you can start teaching students of different classes.

What is private tutoring?

Private tutoring is one-on-one or small-group teaching outside of the formal school system. Unlike a schoolteacher who handles a large classroom, a private tutor works closely with an individual student or a small batch, providing personalised attention and support. Tutoring can happen at the student’s home, the tutor’s home, a coaching center, or even online through video calls. The goal is usually to help the student understand subjects better, complete homework, prepare for exams, or improve in specific areas they struggle with. 

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In India, these extra classes are often called “tuitions”, and they have become incredibly common. A recent national survey found that roughly 30.7% of urban students and 25.5% of rural students (from pre-primary up to high school) now receive private tutoring or coaching outside school. In some regions, the numbers are even higher – for example, in West Bengal, nearly 74% of rural students supplement their schooling with private tuition.

Why is tutoring so widespread? Often it’s because regular schools may not fully meet every student’s needs. Classes in schools can be large, and not all students get the help they need to grasp concepts. In Nagaland’s education system – much like the rest of India – challenges like teacher shortages and uneven school quality have driven parents and students to seek outside help. 

Why become a private tutor?

There are several compelling benefits to stepping into the role of a tutor, especially as a young person in Nagaland:

• Earn income (and do it flexibly): Tutoring can be a great profession. You can set your own tutoring fees and schedule. In fact, working as a private tutor lets you be your own boss – you decide how many students to teach and when to hold sessions. It’s an ideal part-time job for students because you can plan sessions around your classes or exams. Many college students tutor school kids in the evenings or on weekends. Even high schoolers sometimes tutor younger children after school. This flexibility means you can earn without sacrificing your own studies.

• High demand: There is a vast demand for private tutors in India, including in Nagaland. Education is highly valued, and parents are eager to help their kids succeed. With competition for good grades and entrance exams, students often need extra support. A tutoring industry report noted that private tutoring has transformed from a small side gig into a multi-billion-dollar industry. If you have knowledge to share, chances are someone out there can benefit from it.

• Personal development: Teaching others is a fantastic way to reinforce your own learning. When you tutor a subject (say, high school math), you deepen your understanding of that subject. You’ll revisit fundamental concepts and learn to explain them clearly. This can improve your own academic skills and confidence. Tutoring also builds soft skills like communication, patience, and responsibility.

• Explore a teaching career (or a plan B): If you think you might want to become a teacher or professor in the future, tutoring is a perfect first step. It gives you real teaching experience on a smaller scale. Even if you have other career plans, having tutoring experience is a great backup skill. In a country where jobs can be competitive, tutoring can be a reliable fallback option to earn a living. In other words, tutoring can be a profitable side hustle that you can dial up or down as needed. Some enterprising tutors even expand it into a full business (starting coaching centres, etc.) down the line.

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Skills and requirements to get started

One great thing about private tutoring is that you don’t need a formal licence or degree in education to start. If you’re knowledgeable in a subject and can connect with younger students, you’re already qualified in a basic sense. Even teenagers can become tutors for kids a few classes below them. However, there are some skills and “requirements” (formal or informal) to consider that will make you a more effective tutor:

• Strong knowledge of your subject: First, be very clear about what you can teach. Identify the subjects and the class levels you are comfortable tutoring. It could be as basic as Class 4 and 5 English or as advanced as Class 12 Physics – depending on your own education level. Know your expertise and excel in it, because parents will expect you to be truly competent in the subject. Stick to subjects you are confident in. It’s perfectly okay (and common) to tutor only a few subjects that you’re best at, rather than many subjects.

• Educational qualifications: While there’s no official minimum qualification to be a private tutor, most parents prefer that a tutor has at least completed an undergraduate degree in the relevant subject. For example, if you want to tutor higher-secondary (classes 11–12) students in Chemistry, having (or pursuing) a B.Sc. in Chemistry gives parents confidence in your expertise. If you’re still in school or early college, don’t be discouraged – you can still tutor students who are below your level (like a Class 11 student tutoring those in classes 6-8).

• Communication and teaching skills: Knowing a subject isn’t enough; you must also be able to teach it. Good communication skills are key – you should explain concepts clearly in simple language. It helps to be fluent in the medium of instruction. In Nagaland, most schools use English, so you should be comfortable explaining in English (and possibly in a local language if you need to translate tough concepts for a beginner). Being an effective communicator also means listening to students’ questions patiently and understanding where they are confused. Patience is one of the most critical characteristics of a good tutor.

How to become a tutor

Once you feel you have the necessary knowledge and skills, the next step is actually starting your tutoring journey. 

• Decide what you will teach and whom you will teach: Begin by narrowing down the subject(s) and class level(s) you’ll handle. It’s best to tutor subjects you excel in and enjoy. Also consider the age group of students you connect with best. Don’t try to take on too wide a range just to get more students; teaching a Class 2 kid is very different from coaching a Class 12 student. As a beginner, a focused approach is easier and usually more effective.

• Brush up the syllabus and materials: Once you know the classes and subjects, get familiar with the current syllabus and textbooks for those classes. In Nagaland, many schools follow the Nagaland Board of School Education curriculum. Make sure you know which one your potential student is in, since the content might differ. Gather the relevant textbooks, guides, and previous years’ question papers (especially for board exam classes). Being prepared with the syllabus will allow you to plan your tutoring sessions in line with what the student is learning in school.

• Set your pricing and policies: Deciding how much to charge is a crucial step. Tutoring rates can vary a lot based on location, subject, and your experience. In Nagaland’s towns like Dimapur or Kohima, rates might differ from those in rural areas. Research what other tutors or coaching centres charge in your area, if possible. When setting your fee, consider factors like the subject difficulty, the student’s class level, the number of hours per week, whether it’s individual or group tutoring, and the local demand. 

• Promote yourself and find students: This is often the hardest part for beginners, but with a proactive approach you can find your first tutoring opportunities. Start within your network: let your family, friends, neighbours, and teachers know that you are available to tutor certain subjects. Word-of-mouth is powerful in communities in Nagaland. You can also use social media to announce your tutoring services; post on Facebook or local WhatsApp groups mentioning the subjects and classes you teach, your location, and your contact info. 

Teaching students of different classes

One of the challenges (and joys) of tutoring is that you might work with students of various ages and classes, each requiring a slightly different approach. A method that works for a Class 3 child might not suit a Class 10 student, and vice versa. Here’s how you can adapt your teaching to different class levels:

• Classes 1–5: Younger children are full of curiosity but have shorter attention spans. With these kids, your role often extends beyond academics – you are shaping their attitude towards learning. Keep lessons interactive and playful. Use visual aids, drawings, or physical objects to explain ideas. For instance, if you’re teaching addition to a Class 2 student, you can use coins or candies as counters. If you’re helping with English reading, you might use storybooks with pictures. Praise and encouragement go a long way at this age.

• Classes 6–8: At this stage, students have a bit more maturity, and their syllabus starts to deepen. They also start developing specific likes or dislikes for subjects. Your tutoring should focus on clarifying concepts because these classes lay the groundwork for high school. For example, Class 7-8 math introduces algebra and geometry concepts that will be vital later; ensure your student really understands the “why” behind the methods.

• Classes 9–12: High schoolers face intense academic pressure, especially in classes 10 and 12 which culminate in board examinations (and entrance exams for some). When tutoring a student in this group, you likely need to be more structured and exam-orientated. Start by understanding their curriculum and exam pattern (marks distribution, important topics, etc.). Your tutoring should complement what’s taught in school and then go deeper or provide additional practice. High school students can take more charge of their learning, so engage them in planning – for example, make a timeline to finish the syllabus by a certain date, leaving time for revision and past papers.

Challenges you may face

Tutoring is rewarding, but it’s not without its hurdles. Especially as a student tutor balancing multiple responsibilities, you might encounter some challenges. Here are common issues and suggestions on handling them:

• Time management: If you are a student yourself, juggling your own classes, homework or college assignments along with tutoring can be tricky. There may be times, like your exam weeks, when managing tutoring sessions feels stressful. The solution is careful planning. Set a tutoring schedule that doesn’t clash with your critical study times. For example, avoid scheduling sessions during your own exam period, or reduce the number of sessions those weeks. Most parents and students will understand if you communicate your needs in advance.

• Varying learning paces: Not every student will progress as quickly as you expect. Some might take longer to grasp material, which can be frustrating if you’re on a schedule. It’s important to remain flexible in your teaching plan. Build in buffer time for revision and reinforcement of tough topics. If a student isn’t catching on, try diagnosing the problem: Do they lack a foundational concept from earlier classes? Are they facing external distractions? Once you identify the issue, you can address it.

• Resource limitations: In some cases, especially in remote parts of Nagaland, you might face a lack of resources – maybe the student doesn’t have good textbooks, or internet connectivity is poor for online help, etc. As a tutor, try to be resourceful. If materials are lacking, create your own simple notes and exercises for the student. Use whatever is available; even a local library or second-hand book could provide additional practice material. For internet issues, plan more offline work (printed worksheets instead of online quizzes, for example).

• Dealing with payments: Talking about money can be uncomfortable for young tutors, but it’s necessary. Be clear about your fees and payment schedule from the beginning to avoid awkwardness later. In Nagaland’s informal setup, cash payments at month-end might be common. Keep a simple record of sessions conducted and fees due. If a payment is delayed, politely remind the parent or student. Usually, if you’ve built a good rapport and been professional, people respect and pay tutors on time. However, if someone persistently delays or disputes payments, you may have to consider discontinuing if it’s not resolved.

Remember that even the best tutors continue learning and improving – so treat each tutoring experience as a chance to grow. Start with the basics: know your subject, understand your student’s needs, and be committed to helping them succeed. Then move to specifics: refine your methods for each individual, use the tools at your disposal, and build your reputation through results and professionalism.