Presentation about tips and techiniques to teach effective 1-to-1 lessons (EFL)

1. Teacher Training session 2
Teaching 1 - to - 1
Challenges and techniques to
teach successful 1- to - 1 lessons

2. Teaching 1 - to - 1
Aims of this TT session
Advantages and challenges of teaching 1 - to - 1
Advantages and challenges of teaching 1- to - 1 lessons using a
course book or tailor-made materials
Structuring a 1 - to - 1 course: assessing, planning and delivering
Materials&Activities: workshop
Error correction feedback

3. Why teaching 1 - to - 1?
Why do we need such a TT?
to get aware of the differences between teaching groups and individual
students;
to be reminded of or just to discover the techniques and effective planning
required to teach 1 - to - 1;
to adjust our teaching styles to 1-to-1 lessons
“The 1 - to - 1 lesson is a unique combination of the expectations and
ambitions of a teacher and a student who meet for the joint purpose of
facilitating the student’s language learning.” (I. Wisniewska)

4. Advantages of teaching 1-to-1 lessons
The learner has the undivided attention of the teacher. This means more
opportunity to engage in real communication, more feedback and better
understanding of the learner’s needs.
The learner often has more control over the aims of the class, the pace and the
materials.
The learner has more opportunities to use the teacher as a resource – to ask
questions, to see models of language, and to practise skills.
The learner can develop a real and productive relationship with the teacher
The learner’s needs can be addressed more fully because there is more
flexibility in timing and structure.
The teacher does not need to worry about the problems of large groups –
mixed ability, group dynamics, early finishers, late arrivals etc.

5. Challenges of teaching 1 - to - 1
Many learners feel less comfortable practising new language – and making mistakes - in front of a
teacher
Classes can be physically and mentally exhausting for learner and teacher
The class may become boring if the teacher does not find new approaches or the learner does not
respond to the class
There are no opportunities to interact with other learners, develop a group dynamic and to receive
support
The learner and teacher may not get on
The teacher may feel pressurised to achieve results because of a greater degree of responsibility
The teacher may find it difficult to find suitable materials and activities, and to structure an
effective syllabus
The learner may exploit the opportunity given and a captive audience – to check work not related
to the aims of the class, to have a shoulder to cry on, or to merely chat.
The teacher may find it difficult to measure the learner’s progress or level without other learners to
compare with.

6. Teaching 1 - to - 1 using a course book
Advantages
The syllabus is ready-made;
There are several relevant teaching resources (teacher’s book, suggested extra
activities, dvd, interactive workbook, progress tests, etc.) on disposal;
Challenges
Content & activities may need to be adapted according to the learner’s needs,
interests, job position, mood …
Can be repetitive
Most of the communicative activities are designed for a group or encourage group/pair

7. Teaching 1 - to - 1 using tailor-made material
Advantages
Is learner-centred : it is designed according to the learner’s level, skills, background,
expectations, needs, personality, interests, mood, job position, ambitions…
Is more enjoyable
Is more flexible
Reveals your dedication (eg. turning authentic materials into worksheets)
Challenges
It’s energy & time consuming

8. Structuring a 1 - to - 1 course
What should be taken into account before structuring a 1- to - 1 course?
Client’s profile: job position, age & background.
Needs analysis results: expectations, business needs, budget&time
constrictions
Initial language level (placement test)
What’s the next step?
Structuring a course design and a syllabus, that takes all the above into account.

9. Getting to know the student
What should we know about the student:
Personality
Interests & hobbies
Background
Job position
Learning style
Study habits
…

10. Managing students in a 1 - to - 1 environment
student & teacher:
- share the same L1
- Are both tired
The student
- does not contribute much to the lesson
- is not motivated
- is too chatty and tends to dominate the lesson flow
- uses the lesson as a therapy :)
- is reluctant to work on the materials you selected
- Is often late

11. Multimedia resources for 1 - to - 1 lessons
Videos* or vlogs
News articles
MEC-3
Irregular Verb Wheel Game
Podcasts
TED Talks
Online dictionaries (www.macmillandictionary.com
/http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com)
Oxford website (crosswords, extra vocabulary&grammar activities, test

12. Workshop - adapt existing materials
Work in pairs and adapt the activity designed for pair/group work for a 1-to-1
lesson.

13. Homework :)
Choose one of the clients you have 1-to-1 lessons with. Select an activity that
in the course book is presented as pair or group activity and adapt it to your
lesson. You will present it (aim, stages, delivery, how you adapted it and why,
teacher’s role, TTT vs STT) during the End of the Month review or the clients
review (that Katka is going to schedule and run with us in the coming weeks).

14. Conclusion
As we have just seen, teaching 1-to-1 can be challenging sometimes, but also
very rewarding. As long as well planned and properly delivered, focusing on
the client’s needs, expectations, study habits, learning style etc., a 1-to-1
lesson can be enjoyable to teach and significantly beneficial for the client,
since it offers a clear opportunity to practice the TL and maximize the STT.
THANKS FOR THE ATTENTION & PARTICIPATION

15. Reference Books and websites:
M. Ellis, Ch. Johnson, Teaching Business English (chap. 13), OUP
I. Wisniewska, Learning One-to –One, Cambridge
One stop English
(http://www.onestopenglish.com/business/teaching-
approaches/teaching-one-to-one/methodology/)