1. Please tell us about your venture and how it helps students, especially South Asian kids who sign up.
My tutoring journey began in Wembley with a mission to support children from South Asian backgrounds and also their parents, who likely would have not studied here. I realised the importance for parents to be thoroughly and consciously involved in their child’s learning so that they can confidently support them at home. This meant bringing them in for detailed weekly feedback on what their child covered in class but sometimes this even involved teaching them the National Curriculum itself! Over time, I have understood that these principles of empowerment apply to all parents - not just South Asian parents.
2. What is your observation while tutoring South Asian children in the UK about their interests in future career options?
I am pleased to say I have heard of a variety of interests in future career options from children across our centres. For instance, some children are more empathetic and want to become doctors and vets to save lives while others who like to solve riddles may express interest in the computing industry. There is also a wealth of exciting new career options popping up, which were not widely available in our youth - such as coding and social media marketing. I can think of a few children at the centres who have shown a keen interest in these disciplines.
3. Do you sense any pressure or choices that their parents want to make for them regarding their career choices?
We did actually notice this in the past. But we’ve been running for 11 years now and there’s been a veritable shift in parents’ approach to supporting their children’s career choices.
4. Which subjects are the most popular?
At Big Fish Tutors, we provide English, Maths and Science tuition. The most popular option is our English and Maths group class which ranges from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4.
5. In your understanding as a team member of BFT, what are the possible career choices the current generation of youngsters must make in order to have a lucrative career?
My advice on this would centre around the idea that you’ll prosper doing a job you love. But how do we steer children towards this? We encourage them to identify their interests and consider career options that allow them to be immersed in these interests. For instance, a child who’s passionate about aeroplanes could pursue being a pilot, cabin crew or an aeronautical engineer, based on their personality and skill set.
6. What is the importance of tutoring at an early stage without making the child feel that extra help outside regular school is a dilemma (like it used to be in South Asian households)?
It’s the opposite now! Parents in our community feel proud that their children are attending tuition and getting them the support they need. In particular, at Big Fish Tutors, it’s not just about excelling academically - children can enhance their personal and social skills through group discussions and classroom activities. It’s clear to me that getting all of this support at an early stage builds the foundation for children to become confident and independent learners. Specifically, I can think of children who have been with us for eight or nine years who are far ahead of their peers in terms of the curriculum but more importantly, they are mature and confident in navigating their studies. Over the years, I have seen a rise in parents starting tuition at the Key Stage 1 level as many have realised the benefits of children starting early.
7. Do you feel any changes (positive) in the performance and behaviour of students who actually benefit from tutoring?
Absolutely! What thrills me the most is when I hear from parents how well the Big Fish Tutors scheme has filled in gaps in their child’s school studies, resulting in boosted confidence and better grades. Something else that parents have highlighted to me is that children’s focus at school has grown tremendously, as we’ve helped grow their love for learning.
