What Are One-to-One English Lessons?
One-to-one English lessons are private classes where a single student works directly with a teacher, without other learners present. Unlike group classes, where attention is divided and speaking time is limited, these sessions are personalized. You set the pace, choose the topics, and get immediate feedback on your pronunciation, grammar, and fluency. They suit specific goals, such as interview preparation, academic writing, or conversational confidence.
What Does the One-to-One Format Offer?
In a private lesson the teacher works with one student, so the lesson can follow your level and your weak points, and the plan can change as you progress. Some learners find a private setting less stressful than a group.
- More speaking time: The lesson is built around you, not around a whole class.
- Immediate correction: The teacher can correct errors as they happen.
- Personalized content: Lessons can follow your profession, exam, or hobby.
- Flexible pacing: Move faster or slower based on your grasp.
- Active participation: There is no back row to hide in.
What Do One-to-One Lessons Cost?
Prices differ by country, school and course, so we quote only the Philippine schools in our catalogue of 11 October 2026. In the Philippines, one-to-one lessons are part of the course, and the price changes with the number of lessons. Four-week prices, in USD:
- QQ English (Cebu City, Mactan): tuition without room is $934 with 4 one-to-one lessons, $1,228 with 6 and $1,587 with 8. With a capsule dormitory and three meals a day: $1,545, $1,839 and $2,198. Registration $150.
- Genius English (Mactan): tuition, room and meals. General / Power A Regular (4 one-to-one + 2 group lessons): quad $1,500, triple $1,600, twin $1,750, single $1,950. Course B Regular (6 one-to-one + 2 group lessons), twin: $2,000. Registration $125.
- CPILS (Cebu City): General ESL tuition $935. The programme has four one-to-one and five group lessons a day. The standard dormitory is separate: quad $700, triple $775, twin $840, single $995. Registration $125.
Unless the school states otherwise, meals, registration, local fees in pesos, flights and insurance are charged separately. The prices are indicative: check dates, duration, room type and separate fees with the school, and ask for an itemised quote for your dates.
How Do You Compare Programs in Different Countries?
Other countries also offer private lessons, and the format differs from school to school. Compare the number of one-to-one lessons a day, the length of each lesson, the teachers' qualifications and what the price covers. We give prices only for the Philippine schools in our catalogue; for any other country, ask the school for a written quote.
What Are the Downsides of Group Classes?
In a group class the teacher's attention is shared among several students, who may be at different levels. Each student has less time to speak, and correction can be delayed or general. If you have a specific aim, such as exam preparation or business English, a group syllabus may not match it. For a higher-level student a group can feel slow. Groups have their own advantages: practice with other students and a social setting.
Where Can You Study One-to-One in the Philippines?
Our catalogue has 10 working schools in three areas: Cebu City (3D Academy, IU & ICL, QQ English, iBreeze Academy, CPILS), Mactan (First English Global College, Genius English, Philinter, QQ English Seafront campus) and Boracay (Boracay Coco English Academy, Paradise English). Each school sets its own daily mix of one-to-one and group lessons.
- What the price covers: Some schools quote tuition, room and meals as one price (3D Academy, Genius English, the QQ English package); others quote tuition and dormitory separately (Philinter, CPILS, iBreeze Academy).
- Visa and study permit: Rules and fees change; confirm them with the school and the official immigration authority before travel.
How to Choose a One-to-One Program?
Choosing the right school starts with a few questions:
- Number of lessons: Count the one-to-one lessons per day. In the catalogue QQ English lists 4, 6 or 8 and Genius English 4 or 6, and the price rises with the number.
- Lesson length: Ask how long each lesson is. Shorter lessons mean less teaching time.
- Teacher quality: Ask about qualifications and experience.
- Additional features: Ask whether the school includes self-study hours, vocabulary tests, or weekly evaluations.
- Location: Our schools are in Cebu City, Mactan and Boracay.
- Accommodation: The catalogue lists six-bed, quad, triple, twin and single rooms, and the price depends on the room type. Check for air conditioning and a study desk.
- Airport pickup and local fees: Local fees in pesos are listed by each school (for example, the SSP, the study permit, is PHP 7,800 at First English and 3D Academy; the ACR I-Card is PHP 4,000 from 60 days at First English). Ask which of them the school arranges.
Always read recent reviews, ask for a sample teacher profile, and confirm total costs before enrolling.
Can You Combine One-to-One with Group Classes?
Yes. One-to-one lessons focus on your weak points, while group classes give conversation practice and the chance to meet other students. Each school sets the mix: for example, Genius English General / Power A is 4 one-to-one plus 2 group lessons a day, and QQ English lists 4-week tuition for 4 one-to-one lessons ($934) or for 4 one-to-one plus 2 group lessons ($1,034). For specific aims, see professional English or courses for over-50s, and ask the school how many of the lessons are one-to-one.
Are There One-to-One Options for Families or Children?
Some Philippine schools offer family English programs where parents and children study at the same time. In our catalogue, Boracay Coco English Academy takes children from age 4 with a parent, Paradise English from age 5, and Genius English from age 6 with a parent. First English Global College has a Kids ESL/Eiken course for ages 4-12: a family condo for two is $2,000 and for three or more $1,900 per 4 weeks. Ask the school how many of the lessons are one-to-one.
What Are the Hidden Costs and Requirements?
When budgeting, remember to include:
- SSP study permit: Listed by the school in pesos (PHP 7,800 at First English and 3D Academy).
- ACR I-Card: First English lists PHP 4,000 from 60 days of stay; ask your school when it applies.
- Flights and visa fees: Not part of the school price. Rules and fees change; confirm them with the school and the official immigration authority before travel.
- Personal expenses: Snacks, transport, and weekend trips are not included.
- Insurance: Not part of the school price.
Other local fees, such as a deposit, differ by school (PHP 2,000 at First English, PHP 3,000 at 3D Academy). Ask for an itemised quote before you pay.
How to Book a One-to-One Program?
The first step is to define your goals: budget, duration, location, and special requirements. Then compare schools: the number of one-to-one lessons, what the price covers, and the start dates. A free matching service can do this comparison for you. The consultant Julia assists with enrolment, and you pay only the school's own price, with no mark-up.
To get started, get a free, no-mark-up school match and receive a reply within one working day.