Should I Choose Private or Group English for Psychologist Classes?

If you’re a therapist who wants to learn English to confidently take on English-speaking clients, this post will help you choose the option that best fits your needs.

 Interested in my offers, but unsure whether to pick a private or group modality? In this post, I’ll explain two things to consider: firstly, your own preferences, then, my personal point of view as a teacher.

Private classes might be better for you if…

You have extremely specific needs.

I sometimes work with mental health professionals who have a slightly more unusual profile. For example, one of my students is a coach who uses somatic therapy techniques. Her main goals were to learn how to express physical sensations (ex. squeezing, tingling, prickling), gain specific vocabulary for parts of the body (ex. the ball of your feet, the nape of your neck), and practice guiding clients through a visualization. Another client of mine works in Australia and was concerned about listening comprehension and pronunciation. This, however, requires private classes.

You need a shorter, intensive program to practice specific therapy situations.

Some of my students already work with English-speaking clients but want extra support to deal with particular challenges. For example, a therapist might feel comfortable in the first few sessions with a new client but be worried about how to manage alliance ruptures. Depending on how specific these challenges are, it may make more sense to work individually.

You need greater flexibility in scheduling.

Maybe you travel frequently, have very young children or work night shifts. Whatever the case may be, it’s possible to reschedule private classes (as long as my cancellation policy is respected). With group classes, this is not possible. The only option to catch up when you can’t come to a class is for me to record it if the other members of the group agree.

 You need to start immediately

Apart from September/ October and January/ February, it can take time to group students who have similar needs and are available at the same time. If you need to prepare therapy classes immediately (ex. you’ve already advertised that service on your website), your only option might be to work one-on-one.

You don’t feel ready to speak English in front of someone you don’t know yet.

 Some students initially may feel more comfortable practising English in a private setting, especially if they’ve had negative experiences learning English in the past. In these cases, I recommend transitioning to group classes after a term. Though it might be uncomfortable at first, it is essential to speak English in front of others if you want to work as a therapist in English.

Small group (up to three students) classes are the option for you if…

You want to connect with others who share a similar experience.

Working in mental health can be quite lonely and isolating. Interacting with other professionals who share similar experiences, concerns, and objectives provides a greater sense of connection and purpose. It is often more motivating to work with people who are moving in the same direction as you, which encourages people to participate more in classes and do more work outside of them.

You want to learn from others in a dynamic, interactive way.

We sometimes forget how much students learn from other classmates. Other members of the group often ask questions that haven't occurred to you, use new pieces of vocabulary that you didn’t previously know or make mistakes that the whole group can learn from. They may have a different accent to yours, making listening comprehension more interesting too.

Group classes can also expose students to diverse perspectives. Sometimes, therapists come from different orientations, backgrounds, and countries. This diversity can enrich discussions, promote cultural exchange, and provide students with exposure to various ways of thinking.

 You want a more cost-effective solution.

Group classes are more affordable, making them easier to access. What’s more, students can meet whenever they want to outside our classes for extra practice sessions.

This is my personal opinion as a teacher…

In my experience, for most students, small groups are the most fun and effective way of learning English. Students are often more motivated and learn a tremendous amount from each other. My offers in particular are heavily focused on speaking practice through role-playing. When there are two to three members in the group, students get much more feedback. The sooner students learn to manage their anxiety around speaking English in front of others, the faster they progress.

However, it is not always possible to group people, especially if they have very specific needs. Also, if a student wants to get started immediately and there are no available spaces in groups, they might need to get on a waiting list or have private classes in the meantime. 

In any case, here’s where it starts: book your free 60-minute consultation so we can discuss this, considering your level, needs and objectives.  

Otherwise, if you want access to my free guide, and more specialized tips on how to provide therapy in English, feel free to join my free email list.