Comprehensive TEFL Schools

Teaching One to OneThere are many advantages to teaching one to one. Advantages for the students are: • Course materials can be specifically geared towards the student’s needs • Their confidence and self-esteem improves • They can be successful • They can ask questions any time during the session Advantages for the teachers are: • Focus the attention on the student and really listen • Can clearly define student’s needs • Can concentrate on the type of learning that fits with the student’s leaning style • Highly motivated student • Can develop a close relationship with the student • Can take place anywhere • Can create a successful learning environment • Can provide constructive feedback, positive reinforcement, and continuous encouragement An important aspect of successful teaching one to one is good communication between student and teacher and thorough planning by the teacher. The first part of planning is conducting a needs assessment or analysis. It is beneficial to have the student complete a questionnaire and also have a conversation with the student. The goal of the questionnaire is to find out about the needs and interests of the student. A questionnaire format will help the student be specific with his/her answers. The teacher will get a hint about the student’s vocabulary, reading, and writing skills. During the conversation, the teacher will have an opportunity to draw out the student’s answers and to ask additional questions. The teacher will also get a hint of the student’s speaking and listening skills. It would certainly be helpful for the teacher if the student would complete a grammar quiz. The teacher will be able to use all of this information to start developing the next part of the plan. The next part of the plan is to determine what the questionnaire and conversation are telling the teacher and how to use that information to develop the content for the student. The teacher will need to create a syllabus since this course is not taking place in a school. The teacher creates an outline by looking at what the student needs are and determining how to meet those needs in the categories of reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. Once the teacher has a detailed outline of the plan, at least enough lessons for 2-3 months, it is essential to review the plan with the student. This is usually done at the next meeting with the student. Reviewing the plan will help the student in many ways: • Indicates the teacher has studied the information and listened to the student • Shows the student that there is a structured plan to move forward • Indicates the teacher has matched the student’s needs with content • Provides an opportunity for the student to make a request or address additional needs Now the challenges and excitement can begin with the teacher and student moving forward on the same page, to accomplish the goals of the student. I think it would be a fascinating experience to be able to work one to one with a student. The student would have an opportunity to successfully learn english. In addition, what an opportunity there is for a two-way learning experience! The student can learn more about english customs and culture and the teacher has the opportunity to learn about the student’s customs and culture. What would the future possibilities be if we all learned more about each other?