The Disadvantages of a Private EFL Lesson

As EFL teachers or students, we know the advantages of a private EFL lesson-more quality time with the teacher, a chance to practice pronunciation without embarrassment and an opportunity for a shy student to speak up.

But there are also disadvantages to taking or giving private EFL lessons. Here's what you should know before you take-or teach-one:

Boredom: When it gets down to it, there're only the two of you-student and teacher. And unless there's a lot of conversation going on, the time you have together-especially if it's more than 45 minutes-can get very tedious. This may happen more often when the student is at the beginning or elementary level.

Cost: Depending on the school, the cost of a private lesson can be twice of that of a group lesson.

Lack of Stimulation by other Students: Students often believe that they will learn a lot more when they have private time with the teacher. But that's not necessarily true. EFL students learn a tremendous amount from each other in group sessions. They learn how to mimic each other's pronunciation and intonation, they increase their vocabulary and form a camaraderie with the other class members-all of which increases the learning of English.

Difficulty Adjusting to a Regular Class: Sometimes students get used to the exclusive attention afforded by the private lesson and have a hard time sharing the teacher with other students if and when they enter a regular EFL class. Students may feel they are being short-changed by having to go from being the only student to one of dozen or so.

How to Counter the Disadvantages of the Private Lesson:

1. Encourage a student to take a private lesson for the right reason-to take time to work on a specific language problem, such as pronunciation.

2. Don't book lengthy private lessons just for the sake of doing so. Longer is not better. Sometimes you can accomplish more in 45 minutes than in 90.

3. Encourage the private student to interact with other EFL students at other times outside of class.

4 If the time seems to drag, get permission to change the scenery-get a coffee at a café for a few minutes during the lesson instead of just staying in the classroom.

Ilene Springer teaches EFL in Malta and is author of An-American-in-Malta.com.