A ready-to-teach first session. Break the ice, build trust, and quietly figure out your student's level — no preparation needed. Just open this page and follow it from top to bottom.
⏱ About 60 minutes🎯 First session · all levels📋 No prep — tap 🔊 to hear any phrase
Before you start tutor prep
This part is for you, not class time. Sixty seconds before the student joins:
Test your camera, microphone, and headset. Sit somewhere quiet and well-lit.
Have this page open. You'll teach straight from it, top to bottom.
Your one goal today: make the student feel comfortable and talking. Everything else is a bonus.
Mindset: In the first lesson, don't correct every mistake — it can make a shy student shut down. Smile, nod, and react warmly to every answer. Let the student talk about 70% of the time, and don't be afraid of a little silence — give them time to think.
1 · Warm-up — say hello 5 min
Start with very easy questions so the student gets an early "win." Ask one, then really listen:
Hi! How are you today?
Can you see and hear me okay?
What's the weather like where you are?
What did you have for breakfast (or lunch) today?
Tip: React to every answer — "Oh, nice!", "Me too!", "That sounds good!" Warmth in the first two minutes sets the tone for the whole hour.
2 · Meet your tutor — you go first 8–10 min
Introduce yourself first. When the student hears the pattern from you, they'll find it much easier to do their own. Speak slowly and use these simple frames:
My name is ___. You can call me ___.
I'm from ___. (your city and country)
In my family, there are ___ people.
In my free time, I like ___.
My favorite food is ___.
I'm really happy to be your tutor!
Then hand it over gently: "Do you have any questions for me?" — this invites the student to speak without pressure.
Tip: Keep it short and friendly (a minute or two). You're modeling, not giving a speech. If you can, share a photo of your hometown or pet — students love that.
3 · Key phrases for introducing yourself 8 min
Practice these together: you say it, the student repeats. Tap 🔊 to hear the pronunciation.
Nice to meet you.Nice to meet you! I'm your tutor.
My name is… / You can call me…My name is Daniel. You can call me Dan.
I'm from…I'm from Changhua, Taiwan.
I'm ___ years old.I'm ten years old.
I like… / I love…I love basketball and drawing.
My favorite ___ is ___.My favorite color is blue.
I have ___ brothers and sisters.I have one brother and one sister.
Can you say that again, please?Teach this one — it lets the student ask for help politely.
How do you say ___ in English?How do you say 謝謝 in English? — "Thank you!"
Tip: Teaching "Can you say that again?" early gives shy students a safe way to keep going instead of freezing. Praise them when they use it.
4 · All about you — student's turn 12–15 min
Now the student introduces themselves, using the same frames. Start with the easy questions; move up only if they're comfortable.
BEGINNER
What's your name? How old are you?
Where are you from?
Do you like school? What's your favorite subject?
INTERMEDIATE
Tell me about your family.
What do you usually do after school?
What are you good at?
ADVANCED
What's a normal day like for you?
What's something you're proud of?
If you could change one thing about your week, what would it be?
Tip: This is where you quietly gauge their level (see Tutor notes). Don't rush — give them time to build full sentences, and gently feed a word if they're stuck.
5 · Let's talk — favorites & free time 10–12 min
Keep the conversation going around things they enjoy — it's the easiest way to get a student talking.
BEGINNER
What's your favorite food? Color? Animal?
Do you like music? What kind?
INTERMEDIATE
What do you like to do on weekends?
What's a movie or show you love? Why do you like it?
ADVANCED
If you had a totally free day, what would you do?
Is there a hobby you'd love to try? What stops you?
Tip: Every time they answer, follow up with "Why?" or "Tell me more." That one extra question is where the real speaking practice happens.
6 · Activity — find 3 things in common 8–10 min
A fun game to build rapport. The goal: discover three things you and your student both like or both do.
How to play
Take turns asking: "Do you like ___?" or "Do you ___?"
When you both say "yes," that's one thing in common!
Keep going until you've found three.
You: "Do you like pizza?" — Student: "Yes!" — You: "Me too! That's one!" 🍕
End with: "We both like ___, ___, and ___. We have a lot in common!"
Tip: Let the student ask you questions too — practicing question forms ("Do you…?") is great speaking practice, and it makes the lesson feel like a real conversation, not a test.
7 · Wrap-up — end on a high note 5 min
Ask the student to tell you 2–3 things they remember about you (a gentle, low-pressure review).
Give honest, specific praise: "You spoke in full sentences today — great job!"
Let them choose what's next: "What would you like to talk about next time — food, travel, or your hometown?" When students pick the topic, they show up excited.
Say a warm goodbye and confirm your next session.
Tip: The last 30 seconds are what they'll remember. Smile, use their name, and tell them you're looking forward to next time.
🧭 Tutor notes — reading your student's level
Use this first session to figure out their level, so you can plan the next one. Jot down what you notice:
BEGINNER LOOKS LIKE…
Short answers, single words; needs lots of repetition and help.
Next time: more vocabulary, simple yes/no and this-or-that questions, plenty of modeling.
INTERMEDIATE LOOKS LIKE…
Full sentences with some hesitation; can answer "why."
Next time: short readings, opinion questions, simple role-plays.
ADVANCED LOOKS LIKE…
Speaks freely, asks you questions back, handles abstract topics.
Next time: discussions, current events, longer conversations and debates.
Most important: write down their name, interests, and 1–2 topics they enjoyed — and bring those back next time. Nothing builds rapport like a tutor who remembers.
