Private Tutor - Djibouti

Students

The youngest boy will be starting 2nd grade in September.  He is behind in his reading skills compared to his peers in the American and British school systems. He struggles with phonics and is still sounding out words, indicating a need for intensive phonics instruction. His dual language learning (French and English) might be contributing to his difficulties. The boy is a very kind, warm, and affectionate child, who is particularly close to his mother. His preferred learning style involves fun and games, making it essential for the Tutor to blend educational content with engaging, playful activities.

The middle brother will be entering 3rd grade. He has considerable challenges with reading and mathematics. He is much further behind in reading than his age group and struggles with basic arithmetic operations. Specific difficulties include reversing characters (b and d), adding extraneous letters (e.g., adding the letter L), and not finishing words properly (e.g., words ending in -ed). His favorite subject is mathematics, although he finds it challenging. He enjoys math-related card games, which reveal his struggles with addition and subtraction. The young man also enjoys football and other physical activities - incorporating sports and active learning techniques may be beneficial.

The eldest boy is entering 9th grade.  He has significant academic deficiencies, particularly in mathematics. He struggles with fundamental concepts such as place value and basic arithmetic operations, which impact his performance across subjects, especially in sciences. He has not had a consistent and thorough grounding in key mathematical operations, evident from his difficulty with problems like 2+4+8. Despite this, the young man has a keen interest in economics and politics. He is a lovely and observant child who requires a patient and understanding Tutor to help him overcome his academic hurdles and build a solid foundation in mathematics and other core subjects.

Role of the Tutor

The Tutor will be responsible for providing comprehensive educational support tailored to each child's needs, focusing on French language instruction, reading, and mathematics. The Tutor must employ immersive and engaging teaching methods to enhance the children’s language skills, using a combination of traditional instruction and interactive, game-based learning to make lessons enjoyable and effective.

In addition to language instruction, the Tutor will address significant gaps in the children’s academic performance, particularly in reading and mathematics. This includes intensive phonics instruction for the younger children and structured, focused math sessions for the older child, who has substantial deficiencies in basic arithmetic operations. The Tutor should be patient, creative, and able to adapt teaching methods to each child’s learning style and pace.

Given the importance of physical activities in the children’s overall development, the Tutor should be sporty and able to engage the children in various physical activities, such as football and other sports. This will help balance their academic work with physical exercise, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

The role also requires the Tutor to be adaptable to different teaching environments and flexible with their schedule. The Tutor will need to create a consistent and stimulating educational experience across various settings, whether in the family’s home in Djibouti or other locations during their travels. This flexibility extends to possible additional responsibilities, such as teaching French at the school the children attend, depending on future arrangements.

Djibouti is a country with a rich cultural heritage and unique natural attractions, such as opportunities to see whale sharks and enjoy the local landscape. The climate is very warm, often reaching high temperatures with significant humidity. The socio-economic environment is diverse, reflecting a blend of traditional and modern influences. The Tutor must be comfortable or able to adapt to this environment, appreciating both its unique offerings and the need for flexibility in daily life. Experience in similar settings would be beneficial, as would a resilient and adaptable attitude towards both living and working conditions.

The ideal candidate will have a background in international education (US/UK) and fluency in French. The Tutor should be ready to offer substantial support, frequent check-ins, and adjust their approach based on each child’s evolving academic and personal development needs. This role demands a combination of professional expertise, creativity, and a nurturing attitude to support the children's academic growth and well-being.

Hours and Holidays, Accommodation and Travel 

The Tutor will typically average around 40 hours contact time per week. This includes after-school tutoring sessions during the school year and more intensive support during school holidays. The Tutor must demonstrate flexibility to adapt their working hours to the varying daily rhythms dictated by the family’s travel and educational activities. This may include providing education in a variety of settings and times, depending on travel schedules and the locations the family visits.

The Tutor will be entitled to two consecutive days off per week, normally at the weekend (‘weekend’ means different things in different countries), but it is essential that they understand the need to be flexible regarding the family’s travel plans and other commitments.

The Tutor will have a minimum of 9 weeks off per annum, to be taken at times agreed upon with the family. The Tutor will be flexible with respect to any changes in schedule, be they travel-related or otherwise and will adapt accordingly. The Client will strive to give up to two weeks’ notice of any planned alterations.

In Djibouti, the Tutor will be provided with a private villa within walking distance of the family's home. The Client will also provide a vehicle for the Tutor’s use. When traveling with the family, suitable accommodations will be arranged and covered by the Client.

Miscellaneous

The successful candidate will offer more than the minimum requirements of this position and must have been raised in a socially appropriate background. They will be excellent practitioners and good role models: educated and polished, with excellent manners and personal values.

The Tutor must be a fit, healthy and a non-smoker – active and energetic with a love for the outdoors; the kind of person who makes the most of their environment to enhance teaching and learning opportunities.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit: 

tijobs.net/577