Why 1:1 Teaching Is a Completely Different Skill
Building a Personalized Curriculum
Needs Analysis
Start with three questions: What do you need English for? What's your biggest frustration? What do you want to achieve in 3 months? Document the answers and revisit them monthly.
Interest Mapping
Discover their hobbies, job, and media consumption habits. A student who loves cooking will engage far more with recipe-based exercises than generic textbook dialogues.
Progress Tracking
Keep a shared document of recurring errors, learned vocabulary, and milestone achievements. This creates accountability and visible progress.
Teacher Tip
“Use DrillKit's 'Create Similar' feature after a successful lesson. If your student loved a worksheet about job interviews, generate a similar one about salary negotiations. Same level, same exercise types, but fresh content that builds on the previous lesson's vocabulary. This creates a coherent curriculum arc without manual material creation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep private ESL lessons interesting?
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Rotate between skills every 15-20 minutes. Open with 5 minutes of free conversation, move to a focused exercise (reading, grammar, vocabulary), then close with a communicative task related to their personal goals. Avoid falling into the trap of 'just chatting' — students pay for structured improvement.
What materials should I use for 1:1 ESL lessons?
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AI-generated worksheets tailored to your student's specific level and interests are ideal. Supplement with authentic materials from their professional field — job emails, reports, or articles from their industry. Textbooks designed for group classes rarely work well in 1:1 settings.
How much should I charge for private ESL lessons?
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Rates vary dramatically by location and experience. Online freelance rates typically range from $15-50/hour depending on qualifications. In-person rates are usually 20-50% higher. Factor in your preparation time — AI-generated materials significantly reduce this cost.