Progress depends on your starting level and how frequently you practice. Most students notice meaningful improvement—better fluency, fewer pauses when speaking, and increased confidence—within 4-8 weeks of consistent weekly tutoring sessions.

According to language learning research, reaching professional proficiency typically requires around 600+ hours of study and practice. However, you'll experience noticeable gains much sooner if you combine tutoring with daily practice like listening to podcasts, watching shows, or journaling in English.

Yes. Expert tutors work specifically on pronunciation, intonation, and accent reduction as core components of conversational English. They'll help you understand how to form sounds correctly, emphasize the right syllables, and speak with natural rhythm and pacing.

A tutor can identify which sounds are challenging for you (often based on your native language) and provide targeted practice. Over time, consistent feedback and repetition help you rewire your speech patterns, though meaningful accent reduction typically takes several months of dedicated practice.

Speaking anxiety is completely normal and very common. One major benefit of 1-on-1 personalized instruction is that you have a safe, judgment-free environment to practice. A tutor creates this space intentionally—there's no pressure, no classmates listening, and no grades.

In fact, many students find that this personalized format helps anxiety decrease faster than group classes. Your tutor will meet you at your comfort level, start with easier topics, and gradually build confidence as you see yourself improving. The one-on-one setting is designed specifically for nervous speakers.

Varsity Tutors connects you with an expert tutor based on your specific needs, schedule, and learning style. You'll discuss your goals—whether you're preparing for a job interview, moving to Chicago, or wanting to feel confident in social situations—so we can find the right match.

Tutors bring diverse experience, from working with professionals to students, and from different English-speaking backgrounds. If the first connection isn't quite right, you can easily work with us to find someone who's a better fit for your conversational goals.

Absolutely. Personalized tutoring is ideal for preparing for specific scenarios—job interviews, presentations, networking events, or casual social situations. Your tutor can practice realistic dialogue with you, teach you relevant vocabulary, and help you feel prepared and confident.

For example, if you're interviewing for a position in Chicago, a tutor can conduct mock interviews, help you practice talking about your experience naturally, and coach you on common questions. This targeted preparation is one of the biggest advantages of working with a tutor rather than studying alone.

Most students see best results with weekly tutoring sessions combined with daily practice on their own. A typical pattern is one 1-hour session per week, though some students prefer twice-weekly sessions for faster progress, especially if they have a specific goal with a deadline.

The key is consistency—regular weekly contact with a tutor, combined with your own listening and speaking practice between sessions, creates the spaced repetition that builds lasting fluency. Your tutor can suggest practice activities between sessions to maximize your progress.