Online ESOL tutors

Here is a made-up practice conversation. You hear: “Your appointment is at half past nine.” If you catch only “nine”, you might write down 9:00. Half past nine means 9:30: thirty minutes after nine.

You can check: “Do you mean nine thirty?” The reply is: “Yes, nine thirty.” You have checked the important detail instead of guessing. If you missed the whole time, use “Could you say the time again, please?”

In an online lesson, try listening before looking at the sentence. Use a written time or a clock picture for support if needed. Then practise with a changed detail: “Your appointment is at half past ten.” Half past still means thirty minutes after the hour, so your check is “Do you mean ten thirty?” and the time is 10:30.

The useful skill is hearing and confirming information. Asking for clarification is also part of Trinity’s Entry 1 listening criteria; this short illustration is not a complete exam task.

If you are taking a course, send its full name, awarding body, level and the skill you are being assessed on. A reading award needs a different lesson plan from a speaking assessment. Use your current course instructions and assessment feedback to choose the next task.

Online tuition can save a journey, but you need usable sound, a readable screen and a place where you can speak. Check those things before choosing the format. Latimer uses Microsoft Teams by default; you and the tutor can agree another meeting method.

Try joining with the device you will use for lessons. Check that you can hear each other and open a short text at a comfortable size. If a phone makes a letter difficult to read, try a larger screen or agree a simpler way to send and view the text. Joining requirements can vary with the device and meeting settings.

Tell the tutor if you need larger text, slower instructions, a demonstration before starting or help joining. If captions would help, check the chosen meeting’s options together; captions can contain errors. Agree how to reconnect or continue if the sound fails.

Each tutor sets an hourly rate, shown on their profile. Latimer invoices after lessons on a pay-as-you-go basis. Check the rate and agree lesson length, frequency and any preparation you are expected to do before booking.

When comparing options, consider whether the tutor can explain your particular difficulty and give useful feedback on your own English. Agree a schedule you can afford and leave time to practise between meetings.

Use the official English-test guidance if your goal is citizenship or settlement, and the NSPCC guide when choosing tuition for a child. If the learner is taking GCSE English Language, use the separate course page below.