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The difference between teaching one to one and groupsDo you learn better in groups or one to one? As for myself, I learn better in groups. There are many differences between the two. In groups, during discussion, it provides good interaction between the teacher and the students. Group discussion plays a valuable role in the all-education of students. Discussion can allow students to express themselves, negotiate meanings and establish closer contact with the staff. But perhaps most importantly, discussion can develop the more instrumental skills of listening, persuading and working as a team. Many teachers today have changed from a standard lecture into group discussions because it allows the teacher to check on what the students are learning by the questions they are asking. Furthermore, students tend to stay focused on the lesson because they might be called on to answer a question. Students who have difficulty talking in class may feel more comfortable in small groups. However, there are some disadvantages to being in groups. Quiet people may not feel comfortable expressing themselves or their ideas with a group. Sometimes some students may not feel as smart as the other students therefore they do not ask questions or contribute to the discussion at all. It is sometimes difficult for the teacher to please all of the students all of the time and no matter what you do, when some students are fully engaged, others may not be. Students may become confused about the work task while being taught in groups. Being in groups may not be the best thing for everyone, some people would rather be taught one to one. When you teach one to one you can get constant feedback on the activities you?ve chosen. Breaks can be taken when it is needed and you can move around the room easier when you need to. One to one also provides an individual focus and the teacher can help the student on specific problems the student may be having. You can often move at a pace both you and the student are comfortable with and you have more flexibility. The learner has more opportunities to use the teacher as a resource and to practice skills he/she has already learned. With one on one teaching it may be easier for the student to retain new information, which could help boost self-esteem and self-confidence. While some people prefer having one to one teaching there are still some disadvantages to being in a one to one session. If the teacher and the student do not get along, then the teacher could become the enemy and it might be difficult to teach the student very much at all. Sometimes the student may feel more pressure in a one to one setting simply because they are trying to achieve results for the teacher. The teacher may feel a much higher degree of responsibility for one student rather than a large group. The session may become boring if the teacher does not find new ways to approach the student. The teacher may also find it difficult to measure the student?s progress since there are no other students to compare with and the student won?t have any opportunities to interact with other students. There are many advantages and disadvantages in both groups and one to one, but as a teacher or a student you have to find what is best for you.
