Personal trainers are not limited to the gym anymore. Personal and private EFL trainers are establishing their niche.

When one hears about a "personal trainer" the first thought that usually comes to mind is the personal trainer found at your local fitness center. They help whip you into shape by devising customized personal workout plans that meet your needs and goals. Now those same personalized principles are being transferred into learning centers. The personal EFL trainer is a growing niche industry that is making ground. Companies and individuals are seeing the benefits from their customized EFL plans, personal attention, and adaptability.

The field of EFL for adults is booming. Even so, it is barely able to keep pace with the ever-growing needs of today’s world.

Registration for English courses at international language institutes (Wall Street, Berlitz etc.) is at an all-time high. Locally owned language schools and chains are mushrooming all over the globe.

Alongside all of this, EFL for adults is witnessing an exciting trend:
The rise of the personal trainer.

Why do people prefer to hire a personal trainer rather than join a class?

For the same reason that the idea of personal trainers caught on in the world of physical fitness! Needs and abilities vary and one program cannot possibly encompass them all.

Both individuals and companies have realized that study time is far better utilized in 1:1 sessions. This is especially true in ‘conversational English’ courses where actual speaking time has to be shared with others. For this reason, many language institutes offer individual instruction programs.

Why do English speakers prefer to work as personal EFL trainers rather than as classroom teachers?

Firstly, it affords them a more flexible work schedule. It is usually possible to arrange EFL lessons on days/at hours that are convenient for the teacher. Also, commitment is only to the duration of courses for individual students and this can facilitate their travel plans.

Secondly, the work is very stimulating because it brings them into close personal contact with interesting people. Interaction on this level does not normally occur in a classroom situation.

Thirdly, it’s the highest paid sector in the EFL field. This doesn’t apply to private institutes, where owners take their profit margin -but it most certainly applies to EFL freelancers.

Finally (and for many, this is the deciding factor) no certification is required.

A word about certification: The overall picture is uneven. Some institutes will only hire certified teachers; others demand advanced qualifications and/or prior experience; many don’t care one way or the other because they prefer to train their own staff in their own particular approaches and techniques.

The trend towards personal EFL instructors is gaining momentum. For many prospective teachers, this is an alternative well worth exploring.

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The writer, who has been working in the field of ESL since 1965, owns and operates an English language institute in Israel. She is the author of the e-guide: How to Become a Personal ESL Trainer. For more information: www.esltrainers.com