They all mean one teacher and one student in the classroom. They are an opportunity for you to develop your English as effectively as possible by working together with your teacher on your own strengths and weaknesses.

Private mini groups mean 2 to 5 colleagues, friends or family studying together with a teacher. You can choose exactly which topics your group wants to cover during the course.

What are the advantages of one-to-one lessons and private groups?

Your teacher focusses only on you, so you can go at your own pace (as quickly or as slowly as you want). You can say exactly which topics interest you or what materials you want to work with. If you have a specific need for English, such as presenting a paper at a conference or writing something for your job, you can work only on this. You can ask questions that are important for you and not worry about what other students think. You can ask your teacher to highlight your particular problems and correct them. Students who take private groups or one-to-one lessons are often very motivated with clear goals for their English.

English classes outside the classroom

You can choose to have some of your one-to-one or private group lessons outside the classroom. During your class time you can visit museums, galleries or visitor attractions with your teacher and learn English vocabulary on the move and in a natural setting.

What you cannot do in a one-to-one lesson

The one thing you can’t do in a private lesson is communicate with other students. If you want to communicate with other students during the class it is a good idea to take a Combination Course. This combines working in a small group in the mornings and one-to-one lessons in the afternoons. Then you can learn English as quickly and intensively as possible. The combination course is the most popular course at ECS Scotland.