Reasons a student asks for a one-on-one class.

Since I started my teaching career, I have been teaching many one-on-one classes. Some of the classes indeed made me frustrated for many reasons. But as a teacher, it is essential to know why some students ask and/prefer a one-on-one class. Here are some reasons for taking a one-on-one class:

1. The student's level is lower/higher than others.

Sometimes a student joins an individualized class because there is no class available for his/her level, either it's too high or too low. In this case, a one-on-one class is a solution to cater to students' needs. The teacher can create a personalized lesson based on students' needs to help students develop their English skills.

2. Student's personality

Being a talkative person, I (almost) never have any problems working with and meeting new people. Back in 2000, when I was a student in an English course, I was the loudest and most enthusiastic when studying. As a teacher, I am always grateful to have enthusiastic students because they make teaching more manageable and less stressful.

However, some students are quiet in the class. It could be their nature, being a quiet person, or it's because they are shy. These students may feel uncomfortable studying in a big group. Instead of motivating them to participate actively, they could be unmotivated to study and constantly feel under pressure.

3. Parents' request

Some parents can be very demanding regarding their child's learning process. I have met many competitive parents who expect specific results from their children. As a mother, I don't really blame them because parents always want the best for and from their children. To achieve these specific goals, parents usually request a one-on-one class for their children.

4. The student has to achieve a specific goal within a short time.

A one-on-one class is also requested by students who need to achieve a specific goal, for example, IELTS band score and TOEFL score. They take this type of class so that they can study intensively to prepare for their exams.

Benefits of one-on-one classes

One-on-one classes provide the best opportunities for interpersonal communication. Unlike a large classroom, a one-on-one class will be more personalized and focused. Similarly, two-on-one students will be more motivated to learn. As a result, a one-on-one classroom can be a great place for teachers who want to reach out to students. With so many benefits, the one-on-one model is worth a try.

A more personalized learning process

The advantages of teaching a one-on-one class over a large-group class are numerous. First, the individual nature of the learning process is more personalized, as opposed to a group-on-one classroom. Furthermore, students benefit from the one-on-one approach. They are more likely to interact with their teacher, which will enhance the quality of the lesson. When they feel comfortable with you, they are more likely to learn and retain information.

Students are more motivated and engaged.

Another advantage of one-on-one classes is that the individual student can better understand the material and teacher. Secondly, the student will be more motivated to learn and be more engaged in the learning process. Moreover, he or she will be more likely to remember what is taught. The student will be able to ask questions and feel comfortable. If the teacher feels comfortable with the individual student, he or she is more likely to address the student's needs.

Develop student's interpersonal skills

A one-on-one class can benefit students in a variety of ways. In addition to providing individual attention, one-on-one interactions also provide ample opportunities for students to develop their interpersonal skills. In addition, a one-on-one class allows students to process questions and answers. Thus, the student can gain more confidence in learning. You can even tailor the lessons to suit the needs of your student.

Teachers can nurture the student more.

Compared to a group class, a one-on-one class is more beneficial for students. The teacher will be able to nurture the student more, and the student will be more likely to share his or her thoughts and ideas. The teacher will also be able to provide more personalized attention. If the student feels comfortable with the teacher, he or she is more likely to be open to sharing his or her ideas.

Students take responsibility for their learning.

One-on-one interactions give students the chance to step up their game and take responsibility for their learning. They will be forced to take the course work seriously, significantly benefiting your students. The small group size also allows the student to ask questions and curate conversations. It will also give the student a better understanding of the teacher's style and will allow the student to be more creative with the teacher.

How to encourage student participation in individualized classes

Now you know that there are many advantages of a one-on-one class. Here are some tips to encourage student participation in individualized classes:

Create an environment that promotes learning

Students can feel free to discuss problems and ask questions in a one-on-one class. This environment will encourage students to speak freely and take the initiative. Students are probably less shy to ask the teacher if something is still unclear. Teachers can also follow the student's pace in learning.

Give meaningful feedback

In this type of class, students will receive more detailed feedback from their teacher. This is because students will feel more comfortable discussing their difficulties and successes in the class. In a group setting, teachers may feel uncomfortable discussing errors and other inadequacies that a student may make and unable to effectively respond to the criticism. Alternatively, a one-on-one class will allow students to share their concerns and learn from their mistakes.

Personal attention

Having an individual teacher allows a teacher to know a student better than a larger group. This means that they can work with the student individually and offer support when needed. The one-on-one environment also allows the teacher to plan the next class and improve their teaching methods. This method will help students succeed and make the experience more enjoyable. So, why not consider a one-on-one class?

Having a one-on-one class is more personal

The teacher has the student's full attention during the lesson, which will enable them to grasp the concepts and learn them more efficiently. A private classroom allows the student to ask questions and solve problems. It also helps ensure that each student understands the topics and that any queries are appropriately addressed. The one-on-one format allows the teacher to go into greater detail with the student and is beneficial for both the student and the teacher.

Final thought

All in all, a one-on-one class is not everybody’s cup of tea. This goes to both teachers and students. As a teacher, I am personally always challenged whenever I have to teach this kind of class. I have to admit that I spend more time preparing the lesson with this class.

It may take time for teachers to be comfortable teaching a one-on-one class. However, I believe teachers need to prepare themselves to teach this class when it is required by the school, or there is a job offer. We’ll never know!

So, are you ready to teach one-on-one classes?

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The way teachers deliver the lesson has turned upside down too. Before the pandemic, teachers can meet and interact with students face-to-face in the classroom. Now, we are forced to meet our students from online meeting platforms such as Zoom Meeting, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.

Obviously, there are certain things that teachers cannot do while teaching online, and these have become a struggle for many teachers, even for those who are experienced.

Some may say that I enjoy this new situation where we teach online. Well, let me tell you, there are moments when I desperately want to scream in frustration (FYI, I did this a couple of times after making sure my microphone is mute and my camera is turned off., LOL).

As teachers, we must continually dare ourselves and upgrade our skills. With the pandemic, teachers are challenged to learn and adapt to the new situation. Unfortunately, some teachers need more time adapting to this new situation while other teachers who are pretty used to technology find it easier to adjust.

Here are some things you as an educator can do to adapt to the virtual environment.

I can say that I could adjust to this new way of teaching considerably quickly. Thanks to my dad, who provided me and my brothers computers and gadgets when we were kids. As the Academic Team Leader, I have helped (until now) teachers in my school deal with technical issues. From how to share the screen in Zoom Meeting to creating engaging lessons for online classes.

However, not all of us are tech-savvy. That said, it is essential to familiarise yourself with all the educational tools and platforms. You need to learn the ropes of whatever platforms you are using. Go to Youtube and watch the tutorials or ask for your colleague's help.

I have to admit, teaching online does have some issues which affect my lesson's aims and classroom management. Let's see internet connection as one of the examples. When the connection isn't stable, either my connection or students', like it or not, I have to adjust the time, allowing students to have more time to do the tasks. As a result, I sometimes cannot finish what I'm planning.

Therefore, you need to be realistic with our lessons' aims. There will be times when you have to split the lesson into two meetings in online classes. It's perfectly okay. Just remember, your students are the priority. It's better to extend the lesson so that students can grasp and understand it well.

Be creative with your teaching resources.

One of the struggles many teachers face is how to use traditional resources they have in an online environment. I'm personally very grateful to teachers worldwide who generously share their ideas and teaching resources. They have opened a gate of new ideas, and I can proudly say I have made several worksheets too.

When I conducted a teachers' sharing session in my school, almost all teachers said they didn't know which resources to use. Others said they spent hours searching for the perfect worksheet on the internet or creating worksheets to suit their lessons.

What I can say is that you need to take advantage of your resources. Find a way to blend the traditional learning worksheets with the newer, more collaborative tools. For example, I use Google Jamboard a lot in my classes because I can quickly put the traditional paper worksheet into Jamboard for students to do. Now, there are many websites that provide online worksheets and allow you to create one too.

One thing to bear in mind is that students are also struggling with the transition. Therefore, we need to put students on the top of our priority list. Whatever the lesson is and how it is delivered, make sure we keep it lively and straightforward

How about you, teachers? How do you adjust your teaching in the virtual environment? Let's share in the comment!