Tutoring helps international school students most when the tutor knows the exact curriculum and exam board, supports English where needed, and provides continuity through school moves and holidays. International school families often move countries, switch curricula and study in a second language, all while preparing for IGCSE, IB or A Level exams. This guide explains common needs and how to choose the right tutor.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches international school students one-to-one in many countries.

Key takeaways

• Match the tutor to the exact curriculum and board.
• EAL support may be needed alongside subjects.
• Online tutoring provides continuity through moves.
• Plan around school calendars and time zones.

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Why do international school students need tutoring?

International school students often need tutoring because they are adjusting to a new curriculum, learning in English as an additional language, catching up after a move, or preparing for high-stakes exams.

Situation	How tutoring helps
New curriculum	Bridges gaps and new exam styles
EAL	Builds academic English
Mid-year move	Catches up on missed topics
Exam years	Board-specific preparation
University plans	Supports predicted grades

Which curricula?

Curriculum	Stages
British	Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary, IGCSE, A Level
IB	PYP, MYP, Diploma
American	Grades, AP, SAT
Mixed	IGCSE then IB Diploma

See Cambridge IGCSE for an example of a widely used international qualification.

How to choose a tutor: step by step

1. Confirm the curriculum and exam board.
2. Identify the main need: content, English or exam technique.
3. Check time zones and school timetable.
4. Book a trial lesson.
5. Share school reports with the tutor.
6. Agree a plan for the term.

Browse our Cambridge IGCSE tutors, IB Diploma tutors and location pages such as tutors in Dubai and tutors in Singapore.

What should a good tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
Board-specific knowledge	Papers differ
EAL awareness	Language support
Time-zone flexibility	Fits schedules
Continuity	Through moves
University awareness	Predicted grades

Moving between curricula

Students switching curricula, such as from American to IB or from a national system to IGCSE, often need help with new assessment styles and command words. See tutoring when changing curriculum.

English as an additional language

Many international students learn in English while speaking another language at home. Tutoring can build subject vocabulary and writing skills. See tutoring for EAL students.

Continuity through moves

Online tutoring means students can keep the same tutor when they move countries, which provides stability during big changes.

What does a good lesson look like?

1. A check on school topics.
2. One weak area taught.
3. Board-specific practice questions.
4. Feedback with mark schemes.
5. A plan for the week.

A sample term plan

Weeks	Focus
1–2	Diagnostic and goals
3–6	Priority subject gaps
7–9	Exam-style practice
10–12	Review before school assessments

How to tell tutoring is working

• better school grades;
• more confidence in class;
• smoother transitions after moves.

How parents can help

• share school calendars and reports;
• keep the home language strong;
• plan tutoring around holidays and travel.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. Which curricula and boards have you taught?
2. Can you teach in our time zone?
3. How do you support EAL students?

How much tutoring is enough?

One hour a week per priority subject suits most students, with more in exam years.

University applications

International students applying to universities in the UK, US or elsewhere need strong predicted grades and well-planned applications. Tutoring in key subjects during the year before applications can make a real difference. See IB predicted grades tutoring and Year 13 tutoring for predicted grades.

Choosing between online and local tutors

	Online	Local
Curriculum match	Wide choice of specialists	Limited by area
Moves	Continue anywhere	Must find a new tutor
Time zones	Flexible	Same zone

Holidays and school calendars

International schools often have different holiday dates from local schools, so share the school calendar with the tutor to plan lessons around breaks and trips.

Families who move often find it helps to keep a folder of reports and past work to share with each new school and the tutor.

Ask the tutor to share a short note after each lesson.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring for international curricula.

• A tutor matched to your child’s curriculum and board.
• Flexible scheduling across time zones.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See our online tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Generic tutoring → match the board.
• Ignoring English → support EAL needs.
• Changing tutors with every move → keep continuity online.
• No plan around holidays → schedule ahead.

Talk to us

For related advice, see tutoring after a mid-year school move. Or contact our team.

Summary: international school students do best with a tutor who knows their exact curriculum and board, supports English where needed and stays with them through moves.

Frequently asked questions

Why do international school students use tutors? +

Common reasons include joining from a different curriculum, studying in English as an additional language, moving schools mid-year, and preparing for IGCSE, IB or A Level exams.

Which curricula do international schools use? +

Many follow British curricula such as IGCSE and A Level, the IB programmes, or American curricula. Some combine them, such as IGCSE followed by the IB Diploma.

Is online tutoring good for international school students? +

Yes. Online tutoring gives access to tutors who know the exact curriculum and board, and lessons can continue through moves and holidays.

What about time zones? +

Online tutors can often teach across time zones, so families can find a slot that suits school hours and activities.

Does Tutopiya tutor international school students? +

Yes. Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring for IGCSE, IB, A Level and other international curricula. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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