Student context
Name the adult learner’s real-world situation, current priority, CEFR context, and practical constraints.
Decision system for adult 1:1 tutors
What Should I Teach Next?
Choose the next lesson by connecting one real learner goal with the strongest current evidence, then make a clear Continue, Repair, or Advance decision.
By Jan BrzostowskiReviewed by Martha, ESL Methodology Reviewer, 10 years of experienceUpdated June 15, 2026
Evidence
Review the strongest recent signal from live performance, homework, retrieval, or an upcoming communication event.
Continue, repair, or advance
Continue partial learning, repair a blocking prerequisite, or advance after independent transfer.
Bounded lesson objective
Define one observable performance, the minimum supporting language, and the evidence to collect next.
The decision rule
Repair when a missing prerequisite or recurring error blocks the goal. Continue when the learner has partial control, needs prompts, or the evidence is not strong enough. Advance only after accurate independent use without an established recurring target error.
12 constructed cases
Worked examples for adult 1:1 lessons
Each case follows the same sequence: Student context, Evidence, Continue/Repair/Advance, Lesson objective, Activity sequence, and Evidence to collect next. These are teaching models, not reports of real student outcomes.
Worked exampleContinue
Project Manager: Make a Status Update Clearer
A B2 project manager can report completed work but loses control when explaining delays and dependencies.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleRepair
Software Engineer: Repair an Incident Explanation
A B2 software engineer knows the technical content but uses an unclear timeline and ambiguous pronouns.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleAdvance
Accountant: Advance From Variance Description to Recommendation
A C1 accountant independently explains financial variances and is ready to add concise recommendations.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleContinue
Lawyer: Continue Simplifying a Contract Risk
A C1 lawyer identifies contract risk accurately but still relies on legal phrasing with clients.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleRepair
Sales Representative: Repair Follow-up Questions
A B2 sales representative asks prepared discovery questions but misses information in the answer.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleContinue
HR Professional: Continue a Performance Conversation
A B2 HR professional can state a concern but needs more control when separating observation from interpretation.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleAdvance
Marketing Manager: Advance to Defending a Campaign Recommendation
A C1 marketing manager independently presents campaign evidence and is ready to defend a trade-off.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleRepair
Consultant: Repair an Executive Summary
A C1 consultant includes all analysis but does not prioritize the decision the client must make.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleContinue
Entrepreneur: Continue a Customer Interview
A B1 entrepreneur can ask about customer problems but still asks leading questions.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleAdvance
Traveller: Advance From Routine Requests to Disruption Handling
A B1 traveller independently handles routine hotel and transport requests and is ready for an unexpected disruption.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleRepair
Job Candidate: Repair an Achievement Answer
A B2 job candidate describes responsibilities but does not show an individual result.
Read the full decisionWorked exampleContinue
IELTS Candidate: Continue Developing One Task 2 Paragraph
A B2 IELTS candidate has a relevant idea but needs support to develop it with explanation and evidence.
Read the full decisionDecision resources
What Should I Teach Next? A Decision Framework
Use goals, recent performance, homework, retention, and context to choose one next lesson.
One-to-One English Lesson Planning for Adults
The complete evidence-based planning system for recurring adult learners.
Turn Homework Mistakes Into the Next Lesson
Separate slips, knowledge gaps, retrieval gaps, and low-priority errors.
How Tutors Track What to Teach Next
A compact post-lesson evidence record that supports the next decision.
Use evidence, then make one bounded decision
The local tool converts seven teaching signals into a transparent recommendation, objective, activity structure, worksheet brief, and next evidence criteria.
Open the decision toolWhat Should I Teach Next?
Get Edooqoo updates about adult 1:1 teaching decisions. Each email links to the full article or worked example as the canonical source.