Teach English in Douhutun Zhen - Liaocheng Shi

The system of higher and secondary education in Russia is based on the teaching of big groups of 15-20 students and even more. Sometimes it is quite difficult to pay attention to all students in such big groups. That is why, based on my experience, individual lessons become more popular today. Often students take a course of learning a foreign language one-to-one with a tutor as extra lessons to their lessons in schools or universities. Tutoring classes have the one-to-one format when a tutor contributes all his/her time and knowledge to only one student. There are differences existing in these two teaching formats, and both of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Comparing two teaching formats we can start with the diagnostic test. Students in a group can have different results so the teacher should prepare lessons and materials that will be appropriate and interesting for all of them. It is quite easier for the teacher to focus on the knowledge gaps of one student and practice areas of difficulties. But let's have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of two formats. Group lessons have their obvious advantages. Most modern communication tools are designed to work in groups and pairs. Although most of the tasks are easy to transform for individual work, the maximum benefit from them can be drawn precisely during group classes. Classes in a group are often more dynamic, activities are more varied. In the process of working in pairs and mini-groups students have the opportunity to receive information not only from their teacher but also from other students as well as share knowledge with others helping them to learn the language. Finally, a group is just an opportunity to talk, meet interesting people, make friends. Group classes have their disadvantages which are also obvious. Teaching in a group excludes an individual approach. For example, when a teacher plans how long each activity is expected to take during the lesson he/she focuses mainly on the "average". It is good if the teacher has enough experience, and he/she knows how to organize the study of additional material for advanced learners, and help those who are lagging behind to cope with the tasks. If a teacher does not know how (or does not consider it necessary) to take into consideration the level of each student, then as a result, many students can get bored. Some of them get bored because they already know this material and others because they lagged behind and cannot understand new material. The levels of students in the group can be different. Even if according to the results of placement test the level of all students was defined as Intermediate, it does not mean that it is actually the same. In any case, someone is stronger, and someone is weaker. Here, again, it depends on the teacher's ability to plan the lesson, choose and present material. Another point is that psychologically students are also different. At the same, group there can be quiet or reluctant students and the "stars" who are always ready to give a correct answer. Although a teacher can try to give an opportunity to all students to work equal time it does not always work in reality. Talking about the advantages of one-to-one lessons we should mention a few advantages. The attention of the teacher is focused exclusively on the individual student; the teacher can choose the material according to the interests of only one student and combine it with the activities he/she thinks the student needs. It is easier for the teacher to establish, monitor goals and determine the necessary pace of work relying on the individual ability of the student. This format allows the student to ask a question without disturbing others, practice required skills as long as it is necessary; the teacher and the student work together as partners. But this type of teaching has its disadvantages as well which depend on the personal features of student and professionalism of teacher. Some students prefer to study in a group but not individually. If the teacher did not find a personal creative approach the student can just become bored. Often it can happen that students have a language barrier and difficulty in understanding other people speaking as they always communicate only with one teacher. That is why the teacher should be very creative providing such activities (authentic material for listening skills, for example) those can help to prevent these difficulties. In conclusion, I should say that it is a prerogative of students to choose how they want to learn a foreign language as it directly depends on their needs, time and interest. And a good teacher knows how to teach students both in groups and individually; being a good teacher means the ability to know how to face difficulties and how to transform them by using proper materials, planning lessons, playing games, making every lesson fun, involving and interesting, being fair, listening and smiling.