If you teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) to private 1-on-1 students, it's always nice to come to a lesson with something new and fresh that catches the student off-guard with something different than the grammar exercises or general conversation.
Be openThis is not intended to be one of those secret tests that you reveal it was a psychological profile after they answer the questions. (You can find one of those here as the students work on being descriptive in English.) You can tell the student that you're going to ask them questions about themselves and to just say the first thing that comes to their mind. |  Proust Questionnaire for Private English Lessons |
Here are a few questions: (There are 35 in total)
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
5. Which living person do you most admire?
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
7. What is your current state of mind?
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
9. On what occasion do you lie?
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
...
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
5. Which living person do you most admire?
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
7. What is your current state of mind?
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
9. On what occasion do you lie?
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
...
(Don't worry, it's FREE with no sign-up)
Pro Tips:
1-on-1 Lessons - This works best with private classes of teenagers or adults. They LOVE it because it's different than a typical lesson. Not recommended for bigger classes, but play around with it.
Accept "I don't know" - Allow the students to answer or not answer honestly. For example, some teenagers may not have an answer for some questions like, "What do you consider the most overrated virtue?"
Write down their answers - If you do this, it will feel more important to them to take it more seriously, and you can offer them the answers after the test if they want it.
It's like Instagram - Remember, this is only a snapshot of them on a given day. Answers may vary on another day or under different circumstances.
You do it for yourself first... in another language if you can. You'll probably surprise yourself with some answers.
Accept "I don't know" - Allow the students to answer or not answer honestly. For example, some teenagers may not have an answer for some questions like, "What do you consider the most overrated virtue?"
Write down their answers - If you do this, it will feel more important to them to take it more seriously, and you can offer them the answers after the test if they want it.
It's like Instagram - Remember, this is only a snapshot of them on a given day. Answers may vary on another day or under different circumstances.
You do it for yourself first... in another language if you can. You'll probably surprise yourself with some answers.
Easter Egg Lessons:
Self-realization - Ok, that sounds a bit "mystical", but really, they will learn things about themselves. They will probably think about some questions even after your lesson.
Learn about your student - You will get insight on your student and how they think. This will help you know how to teach them in future classes as well!
What else can you find?
Learn about your student - You will get insight on your student and how they think. This will help you know how to teach them in future classes as well!
What else can you find?
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