6 Steps to Finding the Right Private Reading Tutor Using ChatGPT

If your child is struggling to read, you’re not alone. Reading is one of the most complex skills children learn, and some kids need specialized support to thrive. A private reading tutor can make a world of difference, but finding the right tutor takes some thoughtful research.

AI can’t replace a caring, qualified reading tutor, but it can help you save time and make smarter choices in your search. Here’s how to use ChatGPT effectively in the process:

1. Start With Research

Ask ChatGPT to:

• Explain what you should look for in a reading tutor (e.g., training in the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy and Orton-Gillingham, and an emphasis on building phonological skills)

• Explain the terms "phonological skills" and "phonics," and why they're so important

• Explain what "high-intensity" tutoring is, and how it can get your child caught up much more quickly than traditional once-a-week tutoring

• Focus your search on tutors who specialize in reading and writing, rather than generic tutor-matching services

• Generate interview questions to ask potential tutors, such as:

  • “What program or approach do you use for struggling readers?”

  • “How do you tailor the lessons to each student?”

  • “How do you track progress?”

  • "How quickly do your students get caught up to grade level?"

  • "How (and how often) do you communicate with parents about their student's progress?"

  • "Do you have daytime/evening/weekend availability?"

  • "What if we need to change the schedule because other after-school activities start up? Is there an easy way to transition to another tutor on your team if our regular tutor can't meet at the new days/times we need?"

2. Consider Different Options

ChatGPT can help you:

• Think about whether you prefer to do only one or two sessions per week, or more frequent sessions to help your child get caught up more quickly

• Consider the pros/cons of in-person tutoring for your child’s needs. Do you have time to drive your student to sessions? How do you feel about having a tutor in your home as you're preparing dinner or getting siblings to bed?

• Think through whether you'd prefer an individual tutor or one that's part of a group of tutors who all use the same methods and materials, in case your schedule changes and you need to change tutors

• Search for individual tutors and local tutoring centers in your city and online tutoring programs that specialize in struggling readers

3. Ask ChatGPT to Suggest Specific Reading Tutors

Remember that you can tailor your search to exactly what you're looking for.

For example, you could ask: “Find a

• private reading tutor in [your city]

• for struggling readers [or students with dyslexia]. Make sure they work with

• elementary [or middle or high] school students,

• specialize in reading and dyslexia tutoring and

• use the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy and Orton-Gillingham. I'd like a

• group of tutors, not an individual tutor, in case we need to switch tutors when our schedule changes. We need a tutor who can

• get my child caught up quickly and has

• weekend availability. Make sure the tutor has

• excellent Google reviews."

4. Narrow Down the List Based on Reviews and Testimonials

Once you have some names, you can paste them into ChatGPT and ask:

• “Can you look up reviews for [the tutoring company]?”

• “Summarize what parents say about [the tutoring company]"

• “Does [the tutoring company] work with kids who have dyslexia or other learning differences?”

• "Does [the tutoring company] offer a free introductory call to talk about my student?"

5. Prepare for Your First Call

ChatGPT can help you:

• Schedule a free introductory call or draft a polite inquiry email to tutors

• Role-play the intro call so you feel confident asking the right questions

• Create a checklist to take notes as you're interviewing tutors

6. Support Your Child at Home

Even with a tutor, daily reading practice matters. You can ask ChatGPT to:

• Generate fun games  you can play at home to build phonological skills

• Write engaging short stories that only include the phonics patterns your child already knows

• Create a progress chart you can use to track your child's progress (if your tutor doesn't give one to your student)

This makes tutoring even more effective and keeps you in the loop as your child improves.

✅ Bottom line: Using ChatGPT doesn’t replace the human side of tutoring. But it can act like a research assistant, question generator, and support tool to help you choose the right tutor, support your student and stay organized along the way.

Is reading a struggle for your student?

At Kids Up Reading Tutors, we help students in grades 1-12 get caught up to their peers in reading and spelling in months, not years, with:

• 1-on-1, evidence-based instruction tailored to your student's needs

• tutoring for all learners, including students with dyslexia and dysgraphia; specific learning disabilities in the areas of reading and writing; ADHD; and students who just didn't get as much good reading instruction as they needed (often because of COVID)

• 45/60 min online sessions, weekly progress updates and easy daytime/evening/weekend scheduling with Zoom

Our Guarantee: Try it for a week. Love it, or it’s on us!

Visit KidsUpReadingTutors.com to learn more and to schedule your free 30-minute consultation.