When you’re teaching one-on-one, it’s easy for writing time to feel a bit stiff or awkward—especially if your student isn’t super confident in their skills. But with the right warm-up, you can break the ice, build trust, and get them actually excited to write.
Here are a few quick and fun writing warm-ups that work great in 1-on-1 lessons:
1. Would You Rather…? (And Why?)
Ask your student a fun “Would you rather” question like:
Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
Then have them write 3–4 sentences explaining their choice. It’s light, personal, and gets them thinking in English without too much pressure.
2. Quick Journaling Prompt
Start with a simple, real-life question like:
What did you do this weekend? or What’s your favorite way to relax?
It’s casual, familiar, and gets them writing about their life—which always helps with motivation and vocabulary recall.
3. Finish the Sentence
Give them the beginning of a sentence and ask them to finish it in a few lines. For example:
- “If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in…”
- “One thing I’d change about my daily routine is…”
It’s structured enough to feel safe, but still open-ended for creativity.
4. Mini Rant
Let them write a few lines about something that bugs them—slow internet, long lines, Mondays. Rants are fun, emotional, and a great way to practice natural language and expressions.
In one-on-one lessons, you can tailor each warm-up to your student’s interests and personality. Keep it low-pressure and focused on self-expression, not grammar. A good warm-up gets them talking and writing—and sets the tone for a great lesson.
Have a go-to writing warm-up for your 1-on-1 students? Share it in the comments—we’re always looking for fresh ideas!
