How to conduct the first lesson of an English tutor?

First English tutoring session

Important success factors are not only knowledge of the language, but also punctuality, teacher training, the ability to solve organizational issues and the correct setting of goals.

How to conduct the first lesson to please?

At the first meeting, you should find out the level of the student, and in the future, select materials based on this. In order to find out what knowledge a person has, it is enough to ask him to tell about himself. Suggest telling:

• About work experience (if we are talking about an adult).
• About all courses taken or about education (if it is a student).
• About your favorite computer game or book you read (if it is a student).
• About favorite toys, fruits, objects (if this is a primary school student or a preschool child).

What should a tutor not do in the first lesson?

• Do not immediately start demonstrating your knowledge - do not switch completely to English. The child may be afraid that he does not understand anything. It will be better if you politely offer: “do you mind if we talk a little in English?”
• Do not bombard the person with a lot of questions: ask only those that may be relevant to your studies.
• Do not use all possible teaching methods and technologies in the first lesson - overload can happen, then classes with you will be associated with something very difficult.
• Do not talk about the successes of your past students - it is better to tell your parents about it after the lesson. If a child hears someone speak English from the second lesson or pass 200 USE, he may get upset and stop wanting to study, because he will be sure that he will not succeed.

How to conduct the first meeting with a student?

• Be attentive to the emotional state of the child - watch his reactions to your phrases, sentences, certain methods. This approach will help determine the most effective teaching methods and technologies.
• Tell us about yourself: who you are and how you will study, what you expect from the student. Show your books, explain how the classes will be structured, ask if he agrees - so the person will feel that his opinion is also important and interesting.
• Show the importance of the English language - give examples of famous people whom the language has helped to achieve heights. This will be the most useful and correct motivation.
• Talk about the purposes for which the language may be needed. Find out what the child dreams about and what he plans. This will help you select learning material on topics of interest to him.
• Use playful form for children and “useful” methods for older people. For example, you can find a foreign blogger related to the student's profession or education, and translate the post to the topic you like. So, for a novice IT specialist, it will be interesting to read about IT from an industry leader, and for a teenager, it will be interesting to learn fashion trends from a Fashion influencer.
• It is enough to behave calmly and confidently, this will affect the atmosphere of the lesson - after all, when the teacher knows what to do, then the student will also feel at ease.

As a conclusion

So, to summarize: an introductory English tutor lesson is a small test for the ability to find an approach to a person and organize the learning process.

If you follow the basic tips given in our article, then the lesson will be successful, and all participants in the process will be satisfied.

These courses are also useful because they thoroughly study not only the language, but also the methods of teaching it to different age groups. Get acquainted with the curriculum of the courses, the reviews of students, the advantages of our organization and make the right decision - to get a certificate and become a professional in teaching English not only in Russia, but also abroad.

The experience and practice of tutoring shows that just knowing the language is not enough, it is important to be able to present it in such a way that students want to study further.

Here is the diagram of the first lesson that you can use in your classes:

1. Getting to know parents and students
2. Identification of the language level (a story about yourself, a few questions);
3. A story about yourself as a tutor (answers to questions for the child);
4. Change of activity - listening to a song, video, one exercise from a book;
5. Conclusions on the lesson: what you liked, what you didn’t, what you would like;
6. Organizational matters.

We wish you good luck with your first lessons!