ELA Tutor Online: Reading and Writing K-12

How it works, in short

TaleemSquare ELA tutoring covers all of English Language Arts in live, one-to-one lessons: reading literature and informational texts, writing arguments, explanations and stories, grammar and conventions, and vocabulary. Tutors follow your child's grade-level standards and school assignments.

Because ELA skills feed every other subject, a gap in reading or writing shows up in science and history too. A free assessment finds where your child stands, and plans start at $85 a month.

Also called:English, Reception to Year 13 (UK)Language Arts, K-12 (CA)English, Foundation to Year 12 (AU)

Format: Live, one-to-one, online
Lesson length: 45 minutes
Level: Ages 5-18
Price: From $85 a month

What changes after a term of lessons

Reading lessons mix reading aloud, talking about the text and short written answers.

Reads with understanding

Finds the main idea, makes inferences and backs up answers with evidence from the text.

Writes clearly

Plans and writes organized paragraphs and essays with fewer grammar and punctuation errors.

Ready for ELA tests

Knows the question types on state ELA tests and how to approach each one.

What we cover

Lessons follow your child's own school or homeschool curriculum. These are the areas we work on most at this level.

Reading literature

Stories, poems and plays: theme, character, point of view and how authors build meaning.

Reading informational text

Main idea, text structure, author's purpose and evaluating arguments in nonfiction.

Writing

Opinion and argument, informative and narrative writing, from planning to final draft.

Grammar and conventions

Sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization and usage in your child's own writing.

Vocabulary

Context clues, word parts and the academic words that appear in every subject.

Speaking and listening

Discussing texts, presenting ideas and answering questions in full sentences.

Test preparation

State ELA test question types, timing and written responses.

Signs your child could use help

Reads the words but misses the meaning
Writing assignments cause stress or avoidance
Grammar errors cost marks across subjects
ELA grades lower than math grades
State ELA test scores below grade level
Teacher mentions trouble using evidence

One of these on its own is normal. Two or three together usually point to a specific gap, and finding it is what the free assessment is for.

Taught to your curriculum, wherever you live

Common Core ELA or your state's ELA standards

Lessons follow your state's standards for reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Most states test ELA every year from Grade 3 to 8 and once in high school.

National Curriculum in England: English

Lessons follow your child's key stage, from phonics and early reading to Key Stage 2 reading and grammar tests and GCSE English Language and Literature.

Level: English, Reception to Year 13

Ontario Language and English curricula (other provinces similar)

Reading, writing, oral communication and media literacy, with EQAO reading and writing in Grades 3 and 6 and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, usually in Grade 10.

Level: Language Arts, K-12

Australian Curriculum: English v9.0

Language, literature and literacy strands, with NAPLAN reading, writing and conventions of language in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Level: English, Foundation to Year 12

Inside a 45-minute ELA lesson

One 45-minute session. Tutors adjust the timings to your child.

5 min
Word warm-up
A few vocabulary or grammar questions.
12 min
Read
A short passage read aloud and discussed.
10 min
Answer with evidence
Questions answered using quotes from the text.
13 min
Write
A paragraph or short response, then improved together.
5 min
Wrap-up
Key takeaways sent to you on WhatsApp.

How we teach ELA

Reading and writing together

Most lessons pair a short text with a written response, because the two skills strengthen each other.

Evidence every time

Your child learns to point to the words in the text that support an answer, the core skill ELA tests reward.

Their own writing

Grammar is taught through your child's real writing, not isolated worksheets.

Matched to school

Tutors use your child's class texts and assignments whenever possible.

Mother and daughter using a laptop together — Lessons run live on Zoom from home, with a parent welcome to sit in.

Boy writing in his notebook — Short written answers build the habit of using evidence.

After each class you get a WhatsApp note: what was read, what clicked, and one thing to practise at home.

Simple monthly plans

$85a month for 2 one-to-one reading and English lessons a week

Free 45-minute assessment first
No contract, cancel any month
No registration fee
4-class money-back promise
Switch tutor at no cost
WhatsApp update after every class

Starter

2 lessons a week, best for keeping up with school

$85/mo

GrowthMost chosen

3 lessons a week, best for catching up + building confidence

$119/mo

Intensive

4 lessons a week, best for exam prep & fast improvement

$149/mo

Full pricing and how we compare

Common worries, honest answers

“My child reads a lot but still struggles in ELA.”

Reading for pleasure helps, but ELA also asks children to analyze, use evidence and write about texts. Those skills usually need to be taught directly.

“Can one tutor help with both reading and writing?”

Yes. ELA tutors cover reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary, and lessons shift focus as your child's needs change.

“My child is learning English as an additional language.”

Tutors can adjust vocabulary and pace. Tell us at the assessment so we can match the right tutor.

Frequently asked questions

What does ELA stand for?

ELA stands for English Language Arts, the school subject that covers reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language skills such as grammar and vocabulary. In the UK and Australia the subject is usually just called English.

What is taught in ELA?

ELA covers reading literature and informational texts, writing in different forms such as argument, explanation and narrative, grammar, punctuation and spelling, vocabulary, and speaking and listening. In the early grades it also includes phonics and reading fluency.

How can I help my child improve in ELA?

Read together and talk about what you read, ask your child why they think something happened, and encourage short pieces of writing such as journals or letters. If ELA grades stay low, a tutor can pinpoint whether the issue is reading, writing or both.

How much does ELA tutoring cost?

One-to-one ELA lessons at TaleemSquare start at $85 a month for two 45-minute lessons a week, about $10.63 a lesson. Three lessons a week cost $119 and four cost $149, with no contract, no registration fee and a free first assessment.

Do you help with state ELA tests?

Yes. Tutors build the reading and writing skills the tests measure, then practise question types and written responses in your state's format as the test approaches.

Which grades do you tutor in ELA?

We tutor ELA from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including AP English, GCSE English and senior English courses in Canada and Australia.

ELA Tutor: Online English Language Arts Help, K-12