As adults, finding time to educate ourselves is often difficult. Even after finding the class, the teacher, setting aside time to study and complete assignments, it can often feel as though we’re wasting time in class. Here are a few ways you can make the most of each one-on-one lesson, by working together with your teacher to maximize your time.
First of all, you need to clarify your goals and expectations. Your teacher can customize lessons to you, but they need to know what you want. Your input is key. What do you want to learn? Are you trying to become conversational in English at a business level so you can get a new job? Do you want to be able to read great authors like Dickens and Austen? Are you only interested in using English with friends? Are you planning on taking an English test in three months and need to be ready by then?
Secondly, tell your teacher about your favorite topics of conversation. What is the topic that you could talk about for hours? What do you enjoy discussing with friends? Are you a cinephile, obsessed with Kubrick and Spielberg? Are you a marine biologist and you want to be able to describe the sea creatures you study? Make sure your learning incorporates these things. If you are interested in the topic, your brain will actually retain more information.
Third and lastly, try speaking as much as possible during class, and don’t be afraid to be corrected. Write your corrections and errors down, or ask your teacher to send you errors and corrections. Keep them in a document so you can look back from time to time. Are you still making the same mistakes? Did you learn not to make certain mistakes?
Of course not every student and teacher will be a good match. However, if you bring lots of input and enthusiasm to class, it will make the classes much better for you, not to mention more interesting and relevant. Take control of your own learning experience, and you can't lose!
