Table of Content
Introduction
If you want to learn a new language, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose private language lessons or group lessons.
Both can be effective, but they offer different learning experiences.
Private lessons give you the teacher’s full attention and allow the course to follow your individual level, learning pace, schedule and goals. Group lessons are generally more affordable and give you the opportunity to practise with other learners.
At Tobian Language School, our group lessons are deliberately kept small, with only 2-3 students per group. So when we compare private and group language lessons here, we’re comparing one-to-one lessons with small-group lessons, not traditional classrooms with 15 or 20 students.
So, which is better? The answer depends on your goals, budget, schedule and preferred way of learning.
Private vs. Group Language Lessons at a Glance
| Private lessons | Small-group lessons | |
| Students | 1 | 2-3 |
| Teacher attention | Fully individual | Shared |
| Learning pace | Your own | Must work for the group |
| Speaking with teacher | Maximum opportunity | Shared |
| Peer practice | No | Yes |
| Scheduling | More flexible | Must suit the group |
| Personalization | Maximum | High, but shared |
| Social experience | Lower | Higher |
| Cost per student | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Efficiency, flexibility & specific goals | Affordability & social learning |
Neither format wins in every category. The better question is: Which type of language lesson is better for you?
Private Lessons Give You More Individual Attention
The biggest difference between private and group lessons is simple: who has the teacher’s attention?
In a private lesson, you are the only student. Your teacher can concentrate on your pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, questions and mistakes throughout the lesson.
If you’re struggling with something, you can spend more time on it. If you already understand a topic, you don’t need to wait while someone else catches up.
In a small group of 2-3 students, you still receive considerable teacher attention, but that attention naturally has to be shared. You can learn by listening to other students’ questions and corrections, but it is different from having a lesson designed entirely around your own development.
You Get More Direct Speaking Time and Personalized Feedback
Speaking is an essential part of learning a language, and this is one area where one-to-one language lessons have a natural advantage.
Most communication in a private lesson takes place directly between you and your teacher. You can have conversations, practise pronunciation, explain your opinions and work through real-life situations while receiving immediate feedback.
This also makes it easier for the teacher to identify patterns in your language. Perhaps you repeatedly make the same grammar mistake, have difficulty with certain sounds, or need more confidence speaking spontaneously. The lesson can then be adjusted accordingly.
Tobian’s teaching methodology places a strong emphasis on guided speaking practice, real-world tasks, error correction and targeted feedback.
Research into one-to-one EFL tuition also suggests that individualized teacher-learner interaction can have particular benefits. Andrew Sampson’s research comparing group, one-to-one and individual online learning found differences suggesting that language problems addressed individually or with a tutor may be more memorable for learners. However, this doesn’t mean that private lessons are automatically better in every respect.
Small-Group Lessons Offer Valuable Peer Practice
Small groups have an advantage that private lessons cannot fully reproduce: another learner to practise with.
Students can have conversations, complete role-plays, ask each other questions and work through exercises together.
Research supports the value of this type of interaction. Nerenz and Knop observed 5,288 instances of teacher-student interaction in second-language classrooms. Their findings showed particularly strong opportunities for student oral production during pair and small-group activities.
Private lessons maximize individual teacher interaction. Small-group lessons add learner-to-learner interaction. Both can contribute to language development in different ways.
With Private Lessons, You Learn at Your Own Pace
Two students can have exactly the same CEFR level and still learn very differently. One person might understand grammar quickly but struggle with pronunciation. Another may speak confidently but need more help with writing.
Study habits also differ. One learner might complete every homework assignment and study several times a week, while another has a demanding job and less time available.
In a small group, the teacher needs to find a pace that works for everyone. Sometimes you may have to wait while another student catches up. At other times, you may need additional explanation while your study partner is ready to continue.
Private lessons largely remove this compromise. If you need more time, your teacher can give you more time. If you understand something immediately, you can move on. Your level. Your difficulties. Your pace.
Finding the Right Study Partners Can Be Challenging
For small-group language lessons to work well, students ideally need to be a good match.
a similar language level
compatible schedules
a reasonably similar learning pace
comparable motivation and attendance
learning goals that work well together
Finding that combination isn’t always easy. Two students may both be B1 learners but have completely different strengths and weaknesses. Or they may be at the same level but unable to find a regular lesson time that works for everyone.
Private students don’t need to find a compatible study partner. The programme can simply follow their level, schedule and progress.
Your Progress Doesn't Depend on Someone Else's Attendance
There is another practical difference students don’t always consider before joining a group: other people’s plans can change.
Your study partner might cancel because of work, go on holiday, fall behind with homework or eventually decide to stop the course altogether. With only 2-3 students, those changes can have a noticeable impact.
If one of two students cannot attend, should the other continue? Should the lesson be rescheduled? And what happens when the absent student returns?
With private tuition, your learning journey isn’t dependent on another student’s attendance, motivation or changing circumstances.
Private Lessons Can Focus on Your Personal Goals
People learn languages for very different reasons. You might need English for international meetings, Dutch because you’re moving to the Netherlands, German for your career or Spanish for travel. Perhaps you’re preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English or another examination.
Private tuition makes it easier to adapt lessons to these specific goals. If you have a job interview coming up, you can practise interviews. If you need to give presentations at work, your teacher can incorporate presentations into the lessons. If pronunciation is your biggest weakness, additional time can be devoted to it.
And as your goals change, your lessons can change with them.
How Many Private vs. Group Language Lessons Do You Need?
For Tobian Language School’s European-language programmes – English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian – we use different average learning timeframes for private and small-group tuition.
CEFR level | Private lessons | Small group (2-3 students) |
A1 | 30 | 40 |
A2 | 30 | 40 |
B1 | 40 | 50 |
B2 | 50 | 60 |
C1 | 70 | 80 |
Total A1-C1 | 220 | 270 |
Across the complete A1-to-C1 progression, our curriculum therefore plans approximately 220 private lessons compared with 270 small-group lessons. That’s a difference of 50 one-hour lessons.
The corresponding structured homework estimate is approximately 110 hours for private tuition compared with 135 hours for small-group tuition.
Why Does Tobian Plan Fewer Private Lessons?
One-to-one instruction allows every part of the lesson to be adapted to one learner. There is less need to coordinate different learning speeds or spend lesson time on material one learner has already mastered.
However, these figures are average learning timeframes, not guaranteed completion times. Actual progress varies according to factors such as prior knowledge, learner profile, attendance and study intensity.
These figures apply to our European-language programmes. Russian, Arabic and Chinese generally require a longer learning path and more lessons.
Are Private Language Lessons Faster?
Private tuition can make more efficient use of each lesson hour, but there is no scientifically established formula showing that one private lesson equals two or three group lessons.
Teacher quality, teaching method, motivation, homework, lesson frequency and exposure outside lessons all affect progress.
Research by Karuna Kumar suggests that class size alone doesn’t determine the quality of language learning. The nature of the activities and the teacher’s role can have a major influence on meaningful learner participation.
Another study by Richard Watson Todd examined 984 English classes, ranging from 10 to 103 students, and found a significant negative relationship between class size and grades. Those classes were much larger than Tobian’s groups of only 2-3 students, so the results shouldn’t be treated as a direct comparison with our small-group lessons.
The research therefore doesn’t justify saying that private lessons are scientifically proven to be a fixed number of times faster. A more accurate conclusion is that private lessons maximize individual attention, personalization and targeted feedback, while small-group lessons combine teacher guidance with valuable peer interaction.
What Are the Advantages of Small-Group Lessons?
They cost less
Because the teacher’s time is shared between 2-3 learners, the cost per student is lower than with private tuition. For students who want professional instruction while keeping costs down, this can be an attractive option.
You can practise with other learners
Your study partners aren’t simply sharing the teacher’s attention – they’re also people you can communicate with. You can practise dialogues, have conversations and complete exercises together.
Learning together can be more fun
Some students enjoy the social side of learning. You can compare answers, laugh about mistakes, encourage each other and celebrate progress together.
You can learn with a friend, partner or colleague
If you already know someone with a similar language level and schedule, learning together can be an excellent option. You get the social experience while sharing the cost of the teacher.
You might even make a new friend
You don’t necessarily need to know your study partner beforehand. Learning a language means regularly communicating and working towards a shared goal. Sometimes your study partner remains simply that – and sometimes you make a new friend along the way.
Private or Small Group: Which Should You Choose?
Choose private language lessons if you value:
- maximum individual teacher attention
- personalized feedback
- your own learning pace
- greater scheduling flexibility
- lessons focused closely on your goals
- independence from other students’ attendance
- a potentially more time-efficient learning path
Choose small-group lessons with 2-3 students if you value:
- a lower price per student
- practising with other learners
- a more social learning experience
- learning with a friend, partner or colleague
- sharing the language-learning journey with others
Neither option is universally better. Private tuition revolves around one learner. Small-group tuition combines teacher guidance with peer interaction. The best choice is the one that fits your goals, budget, schedule and preferred learning style.
Start Learning With Tobian Language School
Still not sure whether private or small-group language lessons are right for you?
At Tobian Language School, you can choose from private one-to-one lessons and small-group learning, depending on the language and programme.
Explore our language courses and find the option that works best for your goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private language lessons better than group lessons?
Private lessons provide more individual attention, personalized feedback and control over your learning pace. Small-group lessons are more affordable and offer peer-to-peer practice. Which is better depends on what you value most.
Do you learn a language faster with private lessons?
Private tuition can make more efficient use of lesson time because the entire lesson can be adapted to one learner. However, there is no reliable scientific formula showing that one private lesson equals a specific number of group lessons.
How many students are in Tobian's group lessons?
Tobian’s small-group lessons consist of 2-3 students, allowing learners to practise together while still receiving substantial teacher attention.
Can I take group lessons with a friend or partner?
Yes. This can be an excellent option when you have similar language levels, schedules and learning goals.
Are group lessons cheaper than private lessons?
Generally, yes. Because the teacher’s time is shared between several learners, the cost per student is lower.
Tobias is a polyglot, traveller and founder of the Tobian Language School.