A new student arrives. You have one hour. You want to help, but you do not know their level yet. The first lesson has one job: make the student feel safe, and find out what they need.
Start with talking, not testing
Ask easy questions. Listen to how they answer. You will hear their level in five minutes.
Tell me about your week. What did you do yesterday?
Find the real goal
Ask why they want English. Work, travel, school, family. The answer changes everything you teach.
I need English for my job. — Then we start with work words.
Do one small useful thing
Do not spend the whole lesson on a test. Teach one thing they can use today.
How to say: "Can you say that again, please?"
Check what they already know
Ask them to read a short text and tell you the idea. Ask them to say three sentences. No marks, no score.
End with a plan
Tell the student what you will do next time, and what they can do this week. A small plan builds trust.
This week: five sentences about your day. Next time: we practise them together.
Words to remember
- tutor — a teacher who helps one student or a small group
- goal — something you want to finish
- level — how easy or hard something is
- trust — the feeling that someone is safe and honest
Questions & answers
Q: Should I test the student's level?
A short, friendly check is useful. A long exam on day one is not.
Q: What if the student is much weaker than expected?
Change the plan, not the student. Start with one sentence they can say well.
Q: How much should I talk in the first lesson?
Less than the student. Ask, listen, and let them speak.
Q: Should I give homework on day one?
One small task, yes. Five sentences, or one short recording. Not a page of exercises.
Q: What if the student is shy?
Use writing first. Let them write three sentences, then read them to you.