Are you struggling to get trial students to book regular English lessons with you? Don't worry, we've all been there! You come to the trial having prepared an interesting and engaging first lesson, you and your student have a great connection, and they seem really keen to book more classes. Then, after the lesson... radio silence. No booking, no reply, nothing.
Of course, a lot of the time, it's simply out of your control and there's nothing you could've done differently. Maybe the student just wasn't ready to commit, their schedule might've changed, or they decided language learning wasn't a priority in that moment. That said, from my years of working as a freelance EFL/ESL teacher, I have developed some go-to strategies that have helped me convert potential adult students into long-term regulars, so keep reading to get some tips you can use in your own online classroom!
Reach out before the trial lesson
Send a short, friendly message beforehand to:
- introduce yourself
- say you are looking forward to meeting your new student
- ask about their goals
This helps break the ice early on, making the student feel a bit more at ease. If they reply, it'll also gives you some insight into what the student actually needs, and allows you to prepare relevant questions for them.
Make your student feel relaxed from the get-go
Many students come to the trial lesson feeling nervous about speaking English. At the start of the trial, I always tell them they can ask me to speak more slowly or repeat anything they don’t understand. I also invite them to ask me questions about myself and my life. This helps students to open up as it shifts the dynamic from “being evaluated” to “having a normal conversation”, and it humanises the student-teacher relationship.
Get to know your new student properly
A trial lesson isn’t just about setting learning goals and assessing language proficiency. I always dedicate a large portion of the trial to finding out about the student’s life, background and personal interests. This matters because students tend to be more confident when they talk about familiar topics, and it also helps me tailor future lessons to their interests so I can cover topics they actually care about.
Teach your student one new thing
Although my trials are less structured and more focused on informal conversation, new students should still feel like they have learnt something. This could be:
- a useful new expression
- a grammar correction
- a pronunciation tip
A small win = A worthwhile lesson
Give feedback at the end
Never end a trial with: "Good job. Hope to see you again." Students should be given clarity on how they performed and what their next step should be. I always leave a few minutes at the end of the trial lesson to tell my new student:
⭐ something they did really well
📈 something they should focus on improving
Reach out after the trial lesson
What happens after the trial matters just as much as the lesson itself. I always send a follow-up message to the student:
- thanking them for their time
- inviting them to get in touch if they have questions
- adding a short homework task to prepare for next time
This helps students stay engaged after the trial and shows you’re invested in their learning.
Have you got any handy tips for converting trial students into regulars? Share them in the comments with other EFL/ESL teachers!
I hope you found this blogpost useful. Do check back regularly for new posts, or follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for updates.
Are you looking for EFL/ESL classroom activities to use with teens and adults? Take a look at some of my downloadable resources:
⭐️ A1–B2 grammar speaking task cards (printable cards + digital PowerPoint versions)
⭐️ A1–C1+ printable vocabulary games
⭐️ Mini Speaking Lessons Bundle (12 speaking lessons)
⭐️ Free printable EFL/ESL teaching resources
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