The Lowdown On One-To-One EFL Classes

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Written by

Lauren Johnstone

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

November 30, 2025

Blog
Classroom Considerations, Teaching English Abroad Jobs
The Lowdown On One-To-One EFL Classes

When we think of teaching, it’s typically to a class full of students. But learning looks different in different contexts. You may find yourself teaching smaller groups of students or… just one at a time.

With no other students to act as a buffer, you may feel like you’ve been placed under a microscope. Nothing you do will go unnoticed under your student’s watchful eye.

Pair work and group work? Out. Group games? It depends. Classroom energy? It’s all on you!

Whatever your take on one-to-one tuition, let’s explore how to make it work for you.

What is one-to-one teaching?

One-to-one teaching is an educational approach where one teacher works with one student.

In a group setting, multiple students learn together, progressing through the syllabus at the same pace. However, one-to-one teaching focuses all instructional time, attention and resources on a single learner.

This format is particularly popular in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) contexts, where personalised attention can dramatically accelerate language acquisition.

Individual tuition is great for exam preparation, business communication and boosting confidence in conversational English.

One-to-one online vs in-person: what’s the difference?

The most obvious difference between one-to-one instruction in person versus online is that both the teacher and student are physically present for the one but not the other.

Physicality enhances communication through the use of body language and gestures. It makes physical activities possible, whether this includes games, movement, realia (real-world objects) or hands-on tasks to make learning interactive and engaging.

Having a physical presence generally allows you to establish rapport with students more quickly, though online sessions can be equally effective once you establish a connection.

💡Tip for building rapport online: Use learners’ names and show interest in their lives to build trust and connection.

And let’s not forget the tech side of things for the online format.

You’ll need to be tech-savvy and know your way around digital tools. That means becoming a pro at screen sharing, digital whiteboards and breakout room activities, and keeping everyone engaged while you’re at it.

The one annoying thing about teaching online can be tech gremlins. Technical issues can interrupt your flow, so it’s smart to have a backup plan ready.

Both formats share the same core challenge: maintaining energy and engagement without the natural dynamics of a group classroom.

Whether you’re teaching online or in person, your one-on-one teaching strategies will need to differ from group class situations.

Now that you understand the format options, let’s explore some techniques to ensure success when teaching one-to-one.

Different teaching methods that work

One-to-one education is the perfect setting for personalised learning, so toss the cookie-cutter lesson plans aside and get creative.

Here are proven one-on-one teaching strategies that work:

Personalised learning

Gather information about your student’s learning goals, strengths and weaknesses to target your instruction more effectively. This is done through a needs analysis, which can be done in several ways, including via a questionnaire or a simple discussion.

The flipped classroom approach

The flipped classroom allows you to assign work beforehand and spend your sessions answering questions, correcting misunderstandings and providing practice opportunities. It empowers the student, allowing them to work at their own pace and is great for more independent, active learning.

Ways to flip your classroom include reading or watching videos for homework before the lessons, doing traditional “homework” in class, and peer teaching.

Conversation classes

The one-to-one format allows for a less formal approach to learning. Authentic materials like news articles, podcast clips, or YouTube videos are great ways to initiate conversation. This approach is particularly effective for EFL learners because they are looking for real-world practice.

Task-based learning

Give your student real-world tasks to complete during lessons. Practical task ideas include:

Writing an email
Planning a presentation
Creating a travel itinerary

These practical applications keep lessons relevant and engaging while building practical English skills.

Student-led sessions

Sometimes you need to let go of the reins and let your student take the lead. This lets them take ownership of their learning. Have them prepare by asking them to bring a topic, article, or question they genuinely want to explore. This makes learning meaningful and boosts motivation since they’ll be more invested.

Benefits and challenges of one-to-one EFL classes

Teaching one student at a time is like hosting a mini talk show where you get the spotlight, the laughs and the tricky moments. Because just like any other teaching format, it has its ups and downs.

Knowing the rewards and the awkward moments will help you survive and actually enjoy this super personal classroom setup.

The benefits

Kiss classroom management woes goodbye. With only one student, discipline is less of an issue. That doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing, but it sure beats 30 wayward students! Your voice will thank you.
You’ll get to know your student(s) really well. You can have in-depth conversations, and you’ll notice more about your student than if they were blending into a crowd.
Confidence soars. Your student receives your undivided attention, which supports their learning every step of the way.
Tracking progress is easier. Following one student’s learning journey is much more straightforward than tracking multiple learners.
Lesson planning is simpler. Planning for mixed-ability classes can be tricky, but one-to-one lessons are easier to organise and adapt to your student’s needs.
Personalised learning shines. With one-to-one classes, personalisation becomes essential. You can tailor lessons around your student’s needs and interests, and work at their pace. Engagement is almost guaranteed.

Lessons are flexible. Your student can make greater contributions in terms of discussion and the materials they bring to lessons.
Students feel at ease. One-to-one lessons are especially comforting for introverted, anxious or neurodiverse learners.

The challenges

Limited group activities. Solo learning means you can’t engage in team activities or pair work (unless you are one part of the pair). Lessons can become monotonous, so you’ll need to keep things varied in terms of pacing and activities.
No peer engagement. Without other students, the teacher is always the partner for pairwork activities.
Personality clash. Lessons could get awkward if you and your student don’t click, with no group dynamics to diffuse tension.
Time pressure. Good time management is key. Without careful planning and backup activities, you risk losing momentum and your lesson fizzling out before its time.
Limited downtime. One-to-one settings give fewer natural pauses than group classes, so you’ll need to build in time for your student to absorb new information.

The challenges are real, but don’t panic! The right mindset can flip them on their head. Just think of every bump in the road as a chance to get creative in the classroom. 😃

Making one-to-one work for you: practical tips

One-to-one teaching isn’t a guessing game. You’re going to need a game plan. Really, all it takes is a few smart tweaks to your approach and voila! Your ordinary lessons are transformed into sessions your students are excited for.

These one-to-one teaching tips will help you get the most out of your sessions:

Build rapport from day one. Your relationship with your student sets the tone. Take time to get to know them, share a little about yourself and create a space where mistakes are a part of learning.
Switch activities every 10–15 minutes. You can move from a speaking exercise to a listening activity to grammar then to a game. It stops fatigue and keeps learners engaged.
Use yourself as a resource. Become a conversation partner, role-play participant and model of native-level English. Share personal stories and experiences to make lessons entertaining.
Incorporate tech smartly. Support lessons with apps and websites like Quizlet, Kahoot, or other online tools to break up lessons and add interest.
Schedule breaks. For longer lessons, a quick five-minute breather helps both of you conserve your energy, especially when doing intensive sessions like exam prep.
Track progress visibly. Keep a shared notebook or doc for vocabulary and language chunks. It helps students see their growth and reinforces the benefits of one-to-one learning.
Set boundaries and expectations. Discuss attendance, homework, and communication early. With only one student, it’s easy for lines to blur if you don’t clarify from the start.
Take care of yourself. One-to-one teaching is mentally draining — constant attention, energy, and eye contact take their toll. Schedule downtime when you can.
Keep refining your approach. Stay up to date on best practices, experiment with strategies, and remember: what works for one student might not work for another.

This personalised approach of one-to-one classes can fast-track your student’s path to fluency. It offers a level of support that would make a big class jealous. You get to tackle those pesky learning challenges and watch them shine.

One-on-one classes are the perfect playground for teaching with creativity without the pressure of a big class. It’s just you, your student and endless ways to make learning stick.

Small class, huge impact: that’s the power of one-on-one teaching.

Author Bio

Written by

Lauren Johnstone

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

Lauren is a Web Content Writer & Editor for The TEFL Academy with a background in media, film, and education, and a passion for language and learning. A University of Cape Town graduate, she holds a PGCE, is a licensed teacher, and is TEFL-qualified. She has taught English to learners of all ages and levels, both in South African and South Korean classrooms, as well as online. When she’s not writing, she’s likely deep into academic readings or enjoying a well-earned gym session. Read Lauren Johnstone's story →

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