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For my summative task, I have decided to write about the difference between teaching one-on-one compared with teaching groups. As I’ve taken the TEFL certificate course, I have always imagined teaching to a group. However, it is very likely that people that want to learn English may not have the time to attend a daily course and need private lessons. In this short essay, I’d like to compare the two teaching styles and see which learning style may be best for learning English as a second language. In all of my educational career, I have only learned in a group setting. I never once utilized a tutor for my classes in college. However, I have had private lessons for a musical instrument, so I have a little experience in one on one teaching, just not academic. Teaching to a group is very complex. You are dealing with people, and each person in the group is an individual. Humans are also “pack animals” and occasionally, the group can act as one. If a teacher says something that all the students disagree with, the class is suddenly in uproar. I’ve experienced this several times when professors assign random tests in the middle of the term. Depending on where certain students are sitting, in a group setting, some students benefit more than others. Some students use the group setting to hide, and try not to be involved. Group settings are certainly more collaborative, and students are able to converse, and bounce ideas off of each other. Students are able to practice without the pressure of a teacher listening at all times. Teaching a group may be more rewarding, impacting more students and seeing improvements in many ranges. Group teaching is likely more difficult for teachers who have trouble with public speaking, or don’t know how to calm down a group of people. Lastly, group teaching is likely more work, evaluating each student and making sure every student in the class gets their chance at involvement and improvement. Teaching one-on-one definitely seems more serious and intense. That student (or parent of that student) has made a decision that they need to get better at this language, and want direct attention and coaching. There is no longer a class to support or hide you, as a student. It is you and the teacher, and every mistake is noted. Teaching one student enables the teacher to identify gaps and fill them quickly, working on areas specific to the student’s needs. It is much easier to identify the student’s learning style, and cater to how he or she wants to be taught or how they learn most effectively. Teaching one-on-one allows for direct questioning, from either party, regarding the lesson, vocabulary, real life application, or a question the student may be hesitant to ask in front of a group. Learning in a one-on-one environment can also enable a student to learn at their own pace. For a faster learner this means that they can advance through the material quicker, and a slower learner can identify problem areas and work through them again. Teaching one-on-one and teaching in a group both have their benefits. When deciding which method to learn, I can imagine most of it comes down to money. It is more expensive to have a private teacher than join a class. Most people would like to move through material at their own pace, and group settings make that difficult at times. It is the teacher’s responsibility to assess each students’ needs and try to adjust class accordingly but with bigger classes, that can be difficult. However, learning in a collaborative environment has significant benefits. It can develop a sense of camaraderie between students, enable students to be mentors themselves, and help students identify mistakes of their classmates, so they are not corrected by the teacher. Given the opportunity, I would prefer to teach in a group setting. Group teaching presents more of a challenge and a more dynamic environment. Teaching one-on-one seems like it could become too slow, and a teacher is not able to observe as much compared to a group setting. Regardless of which setting, teaching continues to be one of the most rewarding professions known to man. Passing on knowledge is what being human is all about. I am excited to begin this journey, and would be happy to have the opportunity to teach anyone, one-on-one or group, and see how I can help students reach their language goals.
