How to Teach English One-on-One

Summary

This video script offers 10 essential tips for one-on-one teaching, highlighting the importance of first impressions, rapport building, and personalized lesson planning. It emphasizes the need for structured classes with clear goals, the use of visual materials, and the incorporation of student interests to maintain engagement. The script also addresses challenges like maintaining motivation and provides strategies for effective feedback, homework, and leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Prepare Thoroughly:** One-on-one teaching requires careful preparation to avoid exhaustion and ensure a productive learning experience.
• 🌐 **Online Teaching Opportunities:** Platforms like Preply allow tutors to set their own prices, schedules, and access resources to teach languages online from anywhere.
• 🔗 **Building Rapport:** Establishing rapport with the student from the beginning is crucial for a successful one-on-one teaching relationship.
• 📝 **Assess Student Needs:** Determine the student's level, strengths, weaknesses, and goals to tailor lessons effectively.
• 🎯 **Set Clear Goals:** Having specific, measurable objectives helps in creating a personalized plan and tracking student progress.
• 🗓 **Establish a Routine:** Structuring classes with a routine helps keep both the teacher and student organized and focused.
• 🗣️ **Increase Student Participation:** Encourage more student talking time to improve fluency and confidence.
• 👀 **Use Visual Aids:** Visual materials like photographs and maps can enrich lessons and stimulate conversation.
• 📈 **Monitor Progress:** Keep records of student achievements to maintain motivation and provide tangible evidence of improvement.
• 📝 **Provide Feedback:** Regularly noting and addressing errors or gaps in the student's knowledge can lead to substantial improvements.
• 🏆 **Create Success Opportunities:** Design lessons with achievable goals to ensure the student experiences success and remains motivated.
• 📚 **Utilize Homework:** Assigning homework can reinforce learning, address difficulties, and maintain momentum between sessions.

Q & A

What are some challenges of teaching a student one-on-one compared to in a group setting?

Teaching one-on-one can be more exhausting as there is less expectation for students to work with one another, and the teacher has less time to move between students, requiring more preparation and energy.

How does online one-on-one teaching differ from in-person teaching?

Online one-on-one teaching allows for more flexibility as teachers can set their own price, create their own schedule, and teach from anywhere in the world.

What resources does Prepley offer to tutors to help them succeed in online language teaching?

Prepley offers resources such as a steady stream of new students, a smart calendar for scheduling, curriculum and lesson plans, and convenient payment methods.

Why is the first lesson crucial in one-on-one teaching?

The first lesson is crucial because it sets the tone for the student-teacher relationship and it's the first impression, which is hard to change.

How can a teacher build rapport with a student during the initial stages of one-on-one teaching?

A teacher can build rapport by getting to know the student from the first moment, starting with names and brief introductions, and asking questions about their background, interests, and goals.

What is the importance of understanding a student's level and goals in one-on-one teaching?

Understanding a student's level and goals helps the teacher to focus on what needs improvement, avoiding repetition of what the student already knows, and allows for personalized lesson planning.

Why is it beneficial to ask students about their specific learning goals and future plans in one-on-one teaching?

Asking about specific goals helps in creating a personalized plan tailored to the student's needs, making the lessons more relevant and motivating for the student.

How can a teacher establish a structured class routine in one-on-one teaching?

A teacher can establish a routine by opening each lesson with a conversation, reviewing previous work, and setting clear objectives for each lesson, ensuring the student knows what to expect.

What strategies can a teacher use to increase student talking time during one-on-one lessons?

Strategies include using visual materials, applying content and language integrated learning, making lessons student-centered, using prompts or gestures, and employing task-based learning.

How can a teacher maintain a student's motivation in one-on-one teaching, especially after initial progress?

A teacher can maintain motivation by keeping a record of the student's progress, setting measurable goals, providing regular feedback, and using visual and audio materials to keep lessons engaging.

What role does homework play in one-on-one tutoring sessions, and how can it be effectively utilized?

Homework plays a crucial role in reinforcing lessons, providing opportunities for practice, and preparing for the next session. It can be effectively utilized by assigning relevant tasks that address specific areas of difficulty and by checking and correcting them in the next class.

Why is it important for a teacher to give feedback during one-on-one lessons, and how can they do it effectively?

Giving feedback is important as it helps address persistent errors and gaps in the student's knowledge. Teachers can do this effectively by noting down mistakes and corrections during the lesson and focusing on these errors at the end of the session.

How can a teacher use visual materials like photographs and maps in one-on-one teaching to enhance learning?

Visual materials provide a rich source of vocabulary and conversation. Teachers can use them to focus on particular structures, create dialogues, and stimulate interest in discussing places, experiences, or situations.

What are some interactive activities that a teacher can use in one-on-one lessons to engage the student?

Interactive activities include role plays, information gap exercises, skits, dialogues based on real-life situations, two-minute presentations, telephone calls, writing emails, and participating in drills or games.