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When teaching English in a foreign country there are generally two different type of teaching settings, either one to one or group/team. For me personally as a beginner, I feel more adequate and comfortable starting in a one to one setting for multiple advantageous reasons. Being an excellent teacher involves understanding the student’s desire, motivation, reason for learning English, strengths, and weaknesses. In a on to one setting, these characteristics are easier to point out due to the direct individual and personal contact/time the teacher will spend with the student. I’ll first touch on the structure of classroom management and materials when dealing with a one to one setting. The appeal and organization of the classroom is accustomed and catered to one individual that suits the proper learning environment for them. Same with materials, which can be more personal or directly relating to the student rather than having to be general when required for group teaching. Timing and techniques are another two main characteristics that receive advantageous benefits within a one to one setting. The pace of the lesson will be guided by the individual student’s progress, allowing for full coverage and understanding of the material before progressing. These techniques will be unique to the individual that could be customized or altered to apply to different individuals with a similar learning patterns. With many advantages also come many disadvantages for teaching one to one which can or cannot be avoided sometimes. The pressure a student may feel of producing errors or mistakes is lessened within a group setting. As its good for the student to have your undivided attention, constant direct focus could intimidate the student causing an uncomfortable learning environment if not adjusted properly. This intimidation and pressure also could happen to the teacher which impacts the learning structure for the student. Another major disadvantage of one to one teaching comes in the form of lacking excitement and peer socialization that a student would experience in a group setting. Interacting with other foreign students learning English allows for the students to discover a commonality that encourages growth and development due to support from others along the same journey. Group activities such as role play, telephone, and partner exercises are limited with the lack of personnel to join the individual student. Although there are present disadvantages with teaching one to one, some could be off set or decreased by a well thought and detailed lesson with excellent structure by the teacher. Such can be done by a range of tools such as alternating approaches to tackle any learning curve the student may have and to appeal from all angels. Another valuable tool is becoming very flexible in the teaching style by adapting the nature of the student present at the time. This is very important when dealing with business English students because their energy and motivation level after a long day of work may not be acceptable for the type of lesson plan you have planned for that day. One to one teaching is not simple but doesn’t make it better or worse than any other style. Knowing how to properly operate in this structure requires attention to detail, understanding, patience, and creativity, which are all needed for any classroom setting. Success in one to one will be achieved with dedication and the end result will be truly rewarding.
