Queen Rania Foundation

Peer tutoring

Moderate impact for very low cost, based on extensive evidence.

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Evidence strength
Impact (months)
Effect size

What is it?

Peer tutoring includes a range of approaches in which learners work in pairs or small groups to provide each other with explicit teaching support, such as:

  • cross-age tutoring, in which an older learner takes the tutoring role and is paired with a younger tutee or tutees;
  • peer assisted learning, which is a structured approach for mathematics and reading with sessions of 25 –35 minutes two or three times a week; and
  • reciprocal peer tutoring, in which learners alternate between the role of tutor and tutee. 

The common characteristic is that learners take on responsibility for aspects of teaching and for evaluating their success. 

Peer assessment involves the peer tutor providing feedback to the tutee relating to their performance and can take different forms, such as reinforcing learning or correcting misunderstandings.

How effective is it?

Overall, the introduction of peer tutoring approaches appears to have a positive impact on learning, with an average positive effect equivalent to approximately five additional months’ progress. Studies have identified benefits for both tutors and tutees, and for a wide range of age groups. Though all types of pupils appear to benefit from peer tutoring, there is some evidence that pupils who are low-attaining and those with special educational needs make the biggest gains.

Peer tutoring appears to be particularly effective when pupils are provided with support to ensure that the quality of peer interaction is high: for example, questioning frames to use in tutoring sessions, and training and feedback for tutors. In cross-age peer tutoring some studies have found that a two-year age gap is beneficial and that intensive blocks of tutoring are more effective than longer programmes.

Peer tutoring appears to be more effective when the approach supplements or enhances normal teaching, rather than replaces it. This suggests that peer tutoring is most effectively used to consolidate learning, rather than to introduce new material.

While a large range of interventions can be classified as peer tutoring, there remains a lack of Arab world-based research that links these to academic outcomes. The few relevant studies have mainly focused Class Wide Peer Tutoring and Reciprocal Teaching and their impact on students’ attitudes and motivation towards learning. Hence, further research is needed to include bigger sample size to investigate relationship between the peer tutoring and students’ academic achievement in different subjects.

There is evidence of promise where the approaches have been tested. A study of ninth grade students in Jordan found a link between reciprocal teaching strategies and critical listening skills. Another study found that the scores of Azhari students that used a reciprocal tutoring technique were higher than students that did not. In Saudi Arabia, studies have shown positive results of Class Wide Peer Tutoring interventions on elementary maths, and the co-operative learning of students with and without learning disabilities.

Other studies in the region have identified evidence of promise in critical thinking skills, attitudes towards learning, and more general positive effects to learning relationships between students.

How secure is the evidence?

There have been extensive studies done on peer tutoring, the majority of which show moderate to high average effects. High-quality reviews have explored the impact of peer tutoring at both primary and secondary level, and in a variety of subjects.

Though overall the evidence base related to peer tutoring is consistently positive, most recent studies of peer tutoring have found lower average effects, suggesting that monitoring the implementation and impact of peer tutoring is valuable. Overall, the evidence is rated as extensive.

What are the costs?

The direct costs of running peer tutoring in schools are very low, as few additional materials are required (about 10.0 GBP to 20.0 GBP – 12.9 USD to 25.7 USD, and 9.1 JOD to 18.2 JOD – per pupil per year). Professional development and additional support for staff is recommended, particularly in the early stages of setting up a programme. Estimates are less than 80.0 GBP (102.9 USD, 73.0 JOD) per pupil, indicating very low overall costs.

Costs originally calculated in GBP; USD and JOD calculated via oanda.com on 22/09/20.

As yet there is no information about local costs.

What should I consider?

Are the activities sufficiently challenging for the tutee to benefit from the tutor’s support?

What support will the tutor receive to ensure that the quality of peer interaction is high?

Training for staff and tutors is essential for success. How will you ensure sufficient time to train both staff and tutors, and to identify and implement improvements as the programme progresses?

How will you ensure peer tutoring is being used to review or consolidate learning, rather than to introduce new material?

Four to ten week intensive blocks appear to provide maximum impact for both tutors and tutees. Can you arrange for your peer tutoring to follow this structure?

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