Coaching vs. Tutoring
(Image Credit: NLP)
What is Coaching?
From being a sports coach to an executive function coach to a life coach, the core of coaching is universal: to help an individual or group reach their potential, improve their performance or skills, and work towards their goals.
Regardless of the topic, coaches educate, model, guide, support, encourage, and knows when to - and when not to - provide a helpful push.
How is Coaching Different than Tutoring?
Topics & Goals: Tutoring often relates to a specific academic topic(s) or workplace skill. Coaching can related to all types of skills and goals spanning all areas of life (not limited to work and school).
Timeline & Goals: While tutoring can occur for years, the goals are often short-term (ex: learning a math skill, passing a science test, or improving a grade in history class). Coaching can have short-term benefits, but generally is a longer-term commitment.
Take this example to help you understand their slight overlap, but generally different approach. Both coaches and tutors might help a high school student with study skills. Tutors are more likely to get in the weeds with content specific material to help the student improve skills for a specific upcoming test (ex: a math test or the SATs). Coaches, however, are more likely to help the student develop a study skills toolkit and plan that they can use towards any test that comes their way. For instance, helping them understand how they best study for different topics, where in their house they best study, what structures do they need to make the most of their study time, and so on.
Do I Need a Coach or a Tutor?
Impossible to generalize, but potentially you need both! It depends on the goal, timeline, and the individual/group involved. When in doubt, contact me to see what’s best for your situation. I often work with individuals who are also working with tutors! For example, someone might work with me to develop a daily schedule, routine, and habits, and then work with their tutor for support in their science class.
How Can Kanter Coaching Help You?
Coaching can help you:
Understand what support would be most appropriate for your needs.
Find relevant resources, which could include outside referrals.
Create systems and routines related to daily living skills, school, and work.
Update the family system’s approach to after-school time, homework, studying, bedtime, and other routines.
Discover the ways you best learn and retain information.
Interior organize to create a physical environment that promotes organization, routine, and structure.
References
What is a coach? Academy of Leadership Coaching & NLP. (2015, January 3). Retrieved from https://nlp-leadership-coaching.com/what-is-a-coach-graphic/
