This is the reason why private English lessons don’t help you get fluency

Do you have experience taking English lessons in a classroom, online, or with a private teacher? A few? Dozens? Hundreds?

Have you ever wondered why you aren’t fully fluent even after all those lessons?

When you first became interested in learning English, you probably started looking for classes to take. Or maybe you had to take English lessons in school. But whatever you start learning, most English lessons won’t get you to fluency – no matter how many you take – because they’re incomplete.

This class will teach you a great deal, so you can now read, write, and pass some English tests. Even with native English teachers, live online classes and private, or small group, lessons use traditional language learning methods that are inappropriate for learners who want to speak.

To help you achieve fluency as quickly as possible, let’s look at why private English lessons typically fail students who want to speak, and what you should do instead.

Fluency can be hindered by private English lessons

Taking private English lessons may seem like the best way to improve your fluency, but they have some serious drawbacks.

1. Teachers speak slowly on purpose

It’s a common teaching method for English teachers to speak very slowly in order to ensure their students understand everything they say.

In real-life situations, native speakers rarely slow down their speech.

You may find that lessons create a “gap” between classroom English and real-world English if your teacher only speaks slowly in order to emphasize words. As a result, native speakers’ often fast and unclear speech will still be difficult for you to understand in actual conversation.

In addition, you should be exposed to examples of fast speech, blended or slurred speech, and even people who do not speak clearly.

This is one example of what I call Naturally Varied Review. You will probably have difficulty understanding real-life conversations without these varied examples.

2. Lack of exposure to a variety of native speakers

As with speech speed, fluency also requires exposure to many different accents, dialects, and speaking styles.

Consider how you learned to speak your native tongue. You heard many people say the same things in different ways, such as your mother and father both telling you to “Wash your hands.” And you learned different ways of expressing the same idea or situation, like “good to go” or “ready.”

Naturally Varied Reviews are another essential type.

Private and classroom English lessons are usually taught by a single teacher, limiting exposure to a wide range of native speakers and unlocking fluency.

In order to achieve fluency in the English language, you need to be exposed to a variety of native speakers. The main reason I don’t offer private lessons is because even a great teacher needs to be accompanied by many native speaker examples. Students ask me for these classes all the time.

3. The vocabulary does not reflect the communication style of native speakers

The typical language lesson emphasizes formal or textbook vocabulary, which is far from how most native speakers speak in their daily lives. While this vocabulary is fine for writing, it’s really a different language when it comes to speaking.

To understand native speakers and express yourself naturally, you should also learn slang, idioms, and words with multiple meanings.

4. Frequency of lessons is limited

There are only four hours of private English lessons per month for most people! Even if you attend more sessions than this, you’re probably not getting enough exposure to the real language or spending your time well – with the right method (which I’ll explain in a minute).

Taking more of these classes will likely not help you, in addition to taking more of your time and costing you more money.

5. You’re learning English as a second language

Every lesson begins with the teaching method.

In private English classes with a native teacher, however, you learn English as a second language through textbook instruction, grammar rule memorization, and translations.

Because you learn by speaking, you will therefore think about grammar rules and translations in conversations, instead of speaking fluently.

Fluent For Life, which I teach as a first language, is the only course that guarantees fluency for intermediate to advanced English learners because it erases the doubts and worries that prevent them from speaking.

How Do Native Speakers Build Fluency?

It’s great news that you can learn English this way, too! Native English speakers learn English as their first language.

Native English-speaking children aren’t going to sit in a classroom repeating words and phrases to improve their fluency. It’s true that native-speaking children go to school. But even if they never attend any classes, their ability to speak fluently develops long before they begin formal education.

A child learns the word “hot” through touching something hot, not by studying the word in a chemistry textbook.

With each new situation children encounter, they gain a new understanding of the world around them, which automatically helps them remember the English words they use to express themselves. Plus, this method of learning is FUN, unlike many English classes!

It is crucial to realize that fluency for native speakers is acquired through exposure to various speakers, even before they begin speaking themselves. This process allows them to have a profound comprehension of vocabulary and grammar, leading to their confidence in speaking accurately and effortlessly on a wide range of topics. To witness the disparity between learning English as a first language versus learning it as a second language, watch this video.

What Learners of English Really Need to Know to Become Fluent?

Having read this far, you now know why even private lessons with native speakers are insufficient for learners who want to communicate fluently.

The best part? It can be done by yourself, anywhere, anytime! I’ve developed a program called Fluent For Life that will help you improve your English in just minutes a day.

FEEL the progress and confidence you gain with easy-to-understand, easy-to-remember lessons.

Get Fluent For Life today.