Groups vs. One-to-One: Should language teachers be trained to teach individuals? Szilágyi Anikó BGF-KVIK 35th Annual Conference of the Association for Teacher Education in Europe ‘Responsibility, challenge and support in teachers’ life-long development’ Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Research How does one-to –one help? Professional development Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

First year students of BBS, College of Commerce, Catering and Tourism Since 2006 Two phases: 1. short questionnaire extended questionnaire (Debrecen, Eger, Eszterházy K. BGF PSZK, Újpesti Műszaki SzKI) 2010 Research Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Languages learnt at secondary school (n=185) Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Language exams taken during secondary school: 185 students language exams Extra points are awarded for accredited language exams 480/50 in the admission process to higher education Advantage on the labour market Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Students taking one-to-one lessons Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Other subjects (n= 185) Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Advantages of one-to one lessons (n=155) Total comments :261 Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Disadvantages of one-to one lessons (n=155) Total comments:167 Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Student expectations- one-to one teachers Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Decision-making Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

How does one-to-one teaching help? Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Class teaching: based on a belief of what different learners have in common One-to-one: focus on the individual and meet his/her learning needs, in all their diversity Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Difficulties learning styles concentration on both the teachers and the learners side motivate find the most suitable language exam identify learning difficulties and design remedial actions cope with personality-and age-related problems establish a relationship based on trust encourage the students to ask questions select materials throughout-going needs analysis lesson planning Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

The student as a person Aims and ambitions Personal interests Hobbies and pastimes-Cinema? Computers? Reading? DVD? Pace and speed of learning Amount of time available for studying Learning styles Profession (adult students) / social status Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

The student as language learner Previous language learning experience Frequency of encounters with the target language Motivation Fears and worries Strengths and weaknesses Learning problems ( cognitive, dyslexia, etc.) Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

In what form would you learn a new language? Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Tasks of a one-to-one teacher Give the student choices Authentic communication-teaching-learning Monitor the student’s progress, communication and errors on a continuous basis Go at the student’s own pace, allow time for revision or going back to problem areas Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Constructivist basis? Teaching is based on previous knowledge Knowledge - through interaction Problem-solving is part of the process Teaching is a process - the teacher is the facilitator of this process Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Who are the one-to- one teachers? Qualified teachers ( language schools, second job, freelancers) Students ????? Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Should language teachers be trained to teach one-to-one? Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Professional development What do linguistics graduates do after leaving unversity? ( traditional schools, language schools, freelance teachers- other areas) What kind of professional assistance is available? (training, refresher courses, mentoring, accredited courses, conferences and other fora?) Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

What should be taught? Reflectivity Methodology How to transfer teaching techniques and ideas fom group to one-to-one teaching Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Benefits Sensitivity to and better understanding of teaching-learning problems in class Openness Seeing the students as individuals with specific learning needs Focus on reflectivity Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

‘… think of one-to-one as a dance.Your student is your partner…. As dance partner, your job is to guide, but not to rush, grip too firmly, confuse or tread on your student’s mental feet. ‘ Wilberg,P. (2002), One-to-One, A Teacher’s Handbook, Thomson Szilágyi Anikó- BGF

Thank you for your attention. Szilágyi Anikó- BGF