Best Practices: Preparing for a Great Session

While many Yo! sessions are spontaneous conversations where no prep is needed, being a little prepared can turn a good session into a great one. Here are some optional tips on how to use the platform's tools to wow your yosers.

Respecting the Yoser's Choices

This is where the yoser customizes their own experience—just like choosing the temperature or if you want to chat during a ride with a transportation app. The platform simply communicates their direct requests to you. These preferences include: session topic, if they want to be interrupted and corrected or not, whether they want to do the introductions or not, your speaking speed, use of casual language (slang/profanity).

They can also leave specific comments or requests related to the session. Checking these details is the key to providing a personalized service, which often leads to great ratings and loyal, regular yosers.

The headers below are listed verbatim as they appear in the yoser's interface, so you can easily recognize their choices on your dashboard.

• Free conversation: Focus 100% on the flow. Even if they make mistakes, don't stop them. Your goal is to keep the conversation alive and build their confidence.
• Tutoring: Teach naturally as you go. Listen closely and guide the talk, offering corrections, suggestions, and explanations in a dynamic way. It’s "English on the go", so don't turn it into a lecture. Keep it light and conversational. Being proactive is a must, and the goal is to help them improve their speaking (grammar, vocab, pronunciation, intonation, nuance, fluency, etc.).
• Review in the last few minutes of the session: Keep a mental (or quick scratchpad) note of highlights and mistakes, and elements taught during the talk, and then wrap up the last few minutes with a friendly feedback loop.
• Active use of the chat: Use the chat as a "living notebook." Type corrections, new words, or better ways to say things while you talk so the yoser has a visual record for later.

Session Topic

• I'd like the tutor to suggest a topic or bring some material: Be the leader! Start by checking our material library to pick something with the yoser. The chef's kiss recommendation here is our Daily News. These are fresh articles based on daily news, available for various levels and themes. If needed, you can also use an interesting prompt, a cool link, or even your own teaching materials to kickstart the interaction. Anything goes, as long as they're speaking, having fun, and learning!

• I'd like to suggest a topic or bring some material: Be a great listener and follow their lead. Adapt your tutoring to the specific context they bring.

Introductions

• Only if it's my first session with this tutor: Keep it brief and friendly. We suggest a quick "script": name, age, where you’re from, where you live, your occupation, hobbies, and one fun fact about yourself. After taking turns, it's nice to ask follow-up questions as an ice-breaker. Keep it short and sweet, then pivot straight to the main topic. If it’s a Free Conversation session, these follow-up questions are a great way to let the topic emerge naturally!

• Never: Skip the formal introductions and jump right into the conversation. However, it's still important to quickly state how you'd like to be called and ask the yoser how they prefer to be addressed.

Tutor's Speaking Speed

• Speak naturally: Talk to them like a peer. Don't hold back on your natural rhythm and connected speech.

• Speak slowly: Keep your vocabulary natural but drop the tempo. Enunciate clearly to ensure they're catching every word without losing the vibe.

Using Swear Words (always respectfully)

• Yes, I'm okay with swear words...: Don't be afraid to use idioms, slang, or the occasional "damn" to make the English feel real and authentic.
• No, I'd rather avoid them: Keep the language clean and professional.

• This is your roadmap. Check this first to see if they have a specific "pain point" or a goal they want to hit during your time together.

Ultimately, you're the pro leading the session. But it's good to remember that ignoring a yoser's specific requests is a bit like a driver ignoring a passenger's request for the A/C. It often leads to a bad experience for them and a low rating for you. Great ratings are what help you build a base of loyal yosers, so paying attention to these details is a key to your success on the platform.

Topics and Materials

Sometimes a yoser will have a specific topic or material in mind. Great! Following their lead is an easy way to ensure they're engaged. If they're looking for ideas, you're free to suggest a resource from the Yo! library (we suggest Daily News articles) or use any of your own professional materials. In case the yoser doesn’t want to use any of our or your materials, you may find some inspiration on this list.

Looking for a Starting Point? A Sample Session Flow

Need some inspiration for structuring a session? Here’s a sample flow. Think of it as just one possible template—not a mandatory script. Real-life communication isn't scripted, and as the professional, you are free to adapt or use your own methods.

When it comes to step number 3, please check what the yoser has chosen for their session, since they can choose to skip the review at the end of the session.