17 Kumon Tutor Interview Questions and Answers

Kumon is a Japanese after-school math and reading enrichment program that uses a unique approach to help children learn. Kumon tutors work with students one-on-one to help them catch up, keep up, and get ahead in school.

If you’re interested in becoming a Kumon tutor, you’ll need to go through a rigorous hiring process that includes an interview. The Kumon interview questions will assess your ability to work with children, as well as your math and teaching skills.

In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of the Kumon interview process, including the types of questions you can expect to be asked. We’ll also provide sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the Kumon method of tutoring?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the tutoring method they use at their school. If you are interviewing for a position as a Kumon tutor, it’s likely that you will be expected to know how to teach using the Kumon method. In your answer, explain what you know about the Kumon method and why you think it is effective.

Example: “I am familiar with the Kumon method of teaching because I used it when I was a tutor at my previous job. The Kumon method focuses on helping students learn at their own pace by giving them individualized instruction. This allows students to feel successful while also challenging themselves to work toward more difficult concepts. I find that this method helps students build confidence in their abilities and motivates them to continue learning.”

What are some of the subjects you have experience tutoring?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience tutoring subjects that are similar to the ones offered at Kumon. You can answer this question by listing some of the subjects you’ve helped students learn and how long you’ve been doing so.

Example: “I’ve worked as a tutor for several years now, but I mainly focus on math and reading. In my last position, I also taught writing skills to elementary school students. I enjoy working with all ages, though, so I’m comfortable teaching any subject.”

How would you create a lesson plan for a student?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. Use examples from past experiences in which you created lesson plans for students, or explain the steps you would take to create a lesson plan for a student at Kumon.

Example: “I start by learning more about my student’s interests and what they already know. Then I develop a curriculum that includes both challenging and fun activities. For example, when working with a student who was interested in animals, I planned a week of lessons that included reading books about different types of animals, practicing counting skills and creating art projects inspired by animals.”

What is your teaching style?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching methods and how you interact with students. They want to know if your style is a good fit for the school’s culture. When answering, describe what makes you unique as a teacher. Explain that you are empathetic, patient and encouraging.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable tutor who can build strong relationships with my students. I am always available to answer questions or provide extra support when needed. My goal is to make learning fun and engaging so that students enjoy coming to tutoring sessions. I also encourage them to take risks and try new things because it helps them develop confidence.”

Provide an example of a time you had to manage a difficult student.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with students who have behavioral or learning challenges. Use examples from your previous work that show you can handle challenging situations and help students overcome their difficulties.

Example: “In my last role, I had a student who was very distracted in class. He would often get up from his seat without permission and talk to other students during lessons. I spoke with him privately after class one day and explained how important it is to pay attention in class so he could learn the material. We practiced ways for him to focus on the lesson and ignore distractions around him. After several weeks of practicing these techniques, he became much better at focusing in class.”

If a student is struggling with a subject, what strategies do you use to help them improve?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you approach teaching and what methods you use to help students learn. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific strategy or two that you’ve used in the past to help students improve their skills and knowledge of subjects.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to help students who are struggling with a subject is by giving them additional practice opportunities. I will often assign extra work for students to do outside of our tutoring sessions so they have more time to practice and reinforce concepts. Another method I use is encouraging positive reinforcement when students complete assignments correctly. This helps build confidence in students and encourages them to continue working hard.”

What would you do if a parent was not happy with the progress their child was making?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to work with parents and students to find solutions to problems. You may also want to mention specific steps you would take to ensure the student’s success.

Example: “If a parent was not happy with their child’s progress, I would first ask them what they thought could be improved. Then, I would meet with the student to discuss their goals and expectations for themselves. Together, we would come up with strategies to improve their performance. If needed, I would create an individualized learning plan to help the student succeed.”

How well do you handle criticism?

As a tutor, you may need to give feedback to students about their progress. Interviewers want to know that you can provide constructive criticism without making the student feel bad or discouraging them from continuing with tutoring. Explain how you would handle this situation and what steps you would take to help the student improve while maintaining their confidence.

Example: “I understand that giving constructive criticism is an important part of my job as a tutor. I always try to be positive when delivering feedback so that students don’t feel discouraged by it. For example, if I notice that a student has been struggling with a math problem for some time, I will ask them to show me how they solve the problem before providing any feedback. This way, they can learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.”

Do you have any experience giving presentations?

This question can help the interviewer determine your public speaking skills. If you have experience giving presentations, share a time when you gave one and how it went. If you don’t have any experience, explain why you would be comfortable doing so if asked to do so in this role.

Example: “I’ve given several presentations at my previous job as a tutor for Kumon. I usually presented information about upcoming events or new programs that were available. I always practiced my presentation before presenting it to students and parents to ensure I was confident with what I was saying. I also used visual aids like posters and handouts to make sure everyone understood the information.”

When working with a student one-on-one, how do you make sure they stay focused?

Tutors need to be able to keep students engaged and focused on their work. Employers ask this question to make sure you have strategies for keeping your students motivated and interested in the material. In your answer, share a few techniques that you use to help students stay focused. Explain how these methods are beneficial for both the student and yourself.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to keep my students focused is by making sure they understand why they’re learning something. For example, if I’m teaching them about fractions, I’ll explain what fractions are and show them examples of when they might use fractions in real life. This helps them see the practical application of the subject matter and makes it more interesting for them.”

We want to ensure our students have the opportunity to learn in a fun and engaging environment. How would you make learning a subject fun?

Tutors at Kumon are responsible for helping students learn in a way that’s fun and engaging. Interviewers want to know how you can help their students have fun while learning math, reading or other subjects. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you understand what it takes to make learning fun for children.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to make learning fun is by making sure the student understands why they’re learning something. For example, if I’m teaching a child about fractions, I’ll start with an activity where we cut up some cookies into different sized pieces. Then, I’ll explain how each piece represents a fraction. This helps them see how fractions apply to real life.”

Describe your process for keeping detailed records of each student’s progress.

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you keep track of your students’ progress and accomplishments. This can be an important part of the job, as it allows you to provide regular updates on each student’s progress and helps you stay organized. In your answer, explain that you use a specific system for keeping records and discuss what that process is.

Example: “I have found that using a spreadsheet program like Google Sheets works best for me when it comes to record-keeping. I enter all of my data into one document where I can sort it by category and color code it according to each student’s needs. For example, if a student has been struggling with addition, I will mark their work in red so I know to give them extra help. This method makes it easy for me to quickly find information about each student’s progress and gives me a clear idea of which areas they need more support in.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about their subject matter, so they can help students succeed in their studies. Before your interview, make a list of all your relevant skills and experiences that relate to tutoring math. Think about what you enjoy most about teaching math and how it helps students learn.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate because I have been tutoring math for five years now. During my time as a tutor, I’ve helped many students improve their grades and understand concepts better. I love seeing students’ confidence grow when they start understanding math concepts. It’s rewarding to know that I had a part in helping them achieve success.”

Which teaching methods do you prefer to use?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you interact with students. They want to know which methods have been most successful for you in the past, so they can determine if you’ll be a good fit for their tutoring program. When answering this question, try to focus on the techniques that helped you connect with students and achieve success.

Example: “I find that hands-on learning is one of the best ways to help students retain information. I always made sure to include plenty of activities in my lessons at my last job, as it helped keep students engaged and excited about learning. Another method I use is positive reinforcement. I believe that praise and encouragement are important parts of any learning process, so I make an effort to provide both when working with students.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a Kumon tutor to possess?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the skills and abilities necessary for this role. You can answer this question by identifying a skill from the job description and explaining how you use it in your work.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a Kumon tutor is patience, as students often struggle with math concepts. I always try to be patient when working with my students, even if they make mistakes or take longer than expected to complete their assignments. Patience helps me remain calm and encouraging while still maintaining high expectations.”

How often do you think a student should meet with their tutor?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your tutoring style and how you plan lessons. Your answer should include the number of times you meet with students each week, as well as any other factors that influence your schedule.

Example: “I think it’s important for a student to have at least one session per week with their tutor. This allows me to assess their progress and make adjustments to my teaching methods if necessary. I also like to meet with students twice a week during the first few weeks of learning new material so they can practice what they’ve learned in between sessions.”

There is a student you’ve been working with for a few months, but they still aren’t showing any improvement. How do you handle this situation?

This question is a great way to see how you handle challenging situations. It’s important that tutors are able to work with students who may not be improving as quickly as others, and this question can show if you have the skills to help them improve their learning experience.

Example: “I would first try to figure out what they were struggling with most. If it was math, I would find ways for them to practice math in different ways. For example, I might give them more word problems or ask them to explain concepts to me so I could make sure they understand the material. If it was reading, I would read books with them and encourage them to read on their own. I would also look at other areas of improvement to see if there was something else we needed to focus on.”