Speed up Your English Journey: One-on-One Learning

In today's fast-paced world, knowing English is key. It's not just about job opportunities or networking; it's about opening up a whole new world of possibilities. Sure, large classrooms are great—or can be, especially if you're an overachiever or prefer to hide behind the big heads of your straight-A classmates—but have you ever tried one-on-one English learning? In this post, we're explaining why this learning format might be your secret weapon to mastering English. Let's get started!

The first thing to consider is the varying English skills among students in a class. You'll find all sorts: some folks take ages to wrap their heads around simple stuff like the present simple, while others struggle with trickier concepts like conditionals. Then, there's a third group that grasps everything immediately, only to get bored with the same old exercises and start scrolling through Instagram. You may be lucky with your teacher, who will not just teach their curriculum to the most able students but try to split the class into different ability groups, adapt their materials accordingly, and ensure everyone's progress. However, even within those three groups, there will be a range of abilities, because everyone is unique. So, the most challenging element of group learning is catering to everyone's needs effectively.

The joy of one-on-one English classes is that you're not stuck at the same pace as everyone else. Your teacher becomes your personal coach, focusing only on what you need and how quickly you learn. In other words, it's all about you. The distinction is much like going to a dojo class with a bunch of others wearing white pyjamas versus having a one-on-one boxing session with a nice guy named Rasul. This personal attention means you can forget about feeling left behind or held back by others. You get to speed ahead in what you're good at and spend more time on the tough bits. Your lessons become super-efficient, fun, and oh-so-rewarding! Now, why is that? Let's look at a couple of examples.

Picture this: you're in a group English class, and the teacher is explaining reported speech. But you're not quite getting it, and there's no time to ask questions because the lesson has to move on for everyone else. Frustrating, right? Now, imagine being in a one-on-one lesson. You literally have a teacher all to yourself! You can ask all the questions you want and get explanations that make sense to you. The teacher can focus on how you learn best and explain things in a way that clicks with you. This personalised attention helps you understand the material deeply, not just memorise it. This builds a strong foundation for your English skills!

Another awesome thing about one-on-one lessons is the instant feedback. Imagine again you're in a group English class, working in pairs, and you make a mistake. You say, "Last night I didn't have some dinner." Your teacher may never have heard that, or if they did and want to address it, you have to wait for your turn before you can get feedback on your pair work. It can be slow and annoying, like waiting in line at a busy coffee shop when you're in a rush. But with one-on-one classes, your personal English coach is right there with you. You make a mistake, and boom, you get immediate feedback! This quick correction not only helps you fix your errors right away but also stops you from getting used to saying things wrong. Plus, it creates a super supportive atmosphere where you're not afraid to try new things and learn from your slip-ups. Cool, right?

Here's another thing: we all have sensitive egos. The teacher asks a question, and you're not quite sure of the answer. You don't want to look dumb in front of everyone, so you stay silent or nod along, even though you're confused. This fear of looking stupid can make you dread going to class or even lead you to skip classes altogether. It's like a snowball effect - the more you avoid asking questions, the more you fall behind, and the more likely you are to give up altogether. But in a one-on-one setting, you don't have to worry about any of this. You can ask any question, no matter how small or silly, and get the help you need without feeling embarrassed.

In group lessons, you'll also find that the teacher tends to focus more on the students who are always eager to raise their hands and participate. These are the folks who seem to have a natural flair for learning and are confident in expressing themselves. On the flip side, there are students who prefer to sit back and observe, maybe because they're shy or just take a bit more time to process information. Unfortunately, in a group setting, these quieter students can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Their questions might go unanswered or they might not get the opportunity to practice speaking as much as they'd like. This can be frustrating and demotivating, leading to a feeling of being overlooked or not valued as much as the more vocal students.

I've had my fair share of group teaching, and let me tell you, it's got its perks! Group lessons can be a blast, creating a nice vibe where you can bond with fellow learners. You can make friends, set up study groups, and get some extra value from this social aspect. But, here's the kicker. Limited speaking time. Unlike studying subjects like chemistry or history, where you can just read and absorb, mastering English requires practice, especially speaking. In a group setting, though, getting enough speaking practice can be a struggle. With so many students clamoring for attention, you might only get a few minutes to chat in an entire class. And that's not nearly enough to really boost your fluency and confidence in using English in real-life situations.

And one last thing. In group classes, the learning materials are usually made for the "average" student. But what if you're not the average Joe or Jane? If you're someone who learns better by seeing stuff in charts or mind maps (that's a visual learner), or you're all about listening and speaking (hello, auditory learner), or maybe you're the type who learns by getting hands-on (that's kinaesthetic), you might feel a bit left out. Imagine having to write essays when you'd rather watch a video. Also, if you're crazy about sports but the class is all about drama or politics, staying focused can be a real challenge. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. This mismatch can slow you down and make English learning a bit of a drag.

What's even worse is that in group learning, not only do you lack control over the direction and pace of your learning journey, but you're also subject to the whims of some phantom authority. You're not a co-pilot or even a backseat driver; you're practically reduced to the role of luggage that others decide for. Imagine going to a restaurant with friends craving Wagyu beefsteak, but all you're served is porridge. It's not the chef or the restaurant owner making this call; it's the Ministry of Food dictating your menu. Well, that's no good, right? You'll be leaving your excoriating review on Tripadvisor as soon as you get home. Group learning can feel just as top-down, leaving you with educational menu choices that might not suit your tastes or learning style.

Mind you, in a group setting, you might encounter the occasional maverick teacher who's ahead of the curve and wants to bring a steamboat to the class. They act like a heat source placed on the dining table, keeping a pot of soup stock simmering. Students place their interests, much like a variety of Chinese foodstuffs and ingredients, into the hot stock. But even these teachers find it challenging to keep their classes engaging for everyone. When one student is into the pre-Socratics, another loves DOTA, and the third is a fan of Colbert's Late Night show (I'm looking at you, Dave, Denis, and Anna), catering to everyone's tastes becomes as complex as managing a steamboat dinner with conflicting ingredient choices.

In conclusion, while group lessons offer benefits like camaraderie and diversity, they fall short when it comes to the personal touch, customised approach, and immediate feedback that personalised tuition offers. If you're set on mastering English, the one-on-one route is the clear winner. With all these factors in mind, I wholeheartedly recommend giving SpeakSpark a shot. Let's make your language learning journey not just effective, but also fun and rewarding!