Knowing how to swim is an important lifelong skill. However, when it comes to learning, there is always the question of whether it is better to take Group vs. Private Swimming Lessons.
Both options have their benefits, especially when it comes to lessons for children and teenagers. Choosing one or the other requires understanding the goals, needs, and, most importantly, your child’s personality.
While group lessons can offer greater social interaction, private lessons focus on developing each student’s specific skills.
To determine whether your child should have Group vs. Private Swimming Lessons, check out the differences between each option.
How to choose between Group vs. Private Swimming Lessons
Choosing between group or private lessons may seem like a more challenging task than it appears. Since each option offers learning advantages, we will explain the characteristics of each mode:
Reasons to choose group lessons
The main advantage of group lessons is the lower cost. As one instructor teaches a group of students, the cost is shared, making it more affordable.
Another key aspect is that in these lessons, your child will develop social skills, as they will have to interact with other children. The classes tend to be more engaging, with dynamic exercises and games involving all students. A good example includes tag games and Marco Polo.
But one of the main drawbacks of group lessons is the difficulty in developing personal skills. Usually, there is one instructor for the entire class, making it hard to focus on the individual needs of each student.
Group lessons are more suitable for children who are already familiar with the water. They do not need to know how to swim, but they should be able to float and perform some basic movements.
This option is best considered when your child has reached a certain level of maturity and independence. After all, they will need to stay in the water while the instructor assists another student.
Reasons to choose private lessons
Private lessons are worth the investment compared to group classes. In this teaching method, the instructor is entirely focused on one student, following a personalised lesson plan.
Undoubtedly, having the direct attention of a professional instructor is the biggest benefit of private lessons. The reason is quite simple: with a dedicated teacher, skills develop much faster.
The comparison between group and private swimming lessons is quite clear. In a 30-minute lesson with a group of five children, each one receives just over five minutes of the instructor’s attention.
In this scenario, group lessons become more expensive in terms of value for time, as in a private lesson, all the time is used to refine your child’s swimming skills.
Moreover, private lessons are tailored to the student. As the instructor observes progress, they can adjust the pace and training plan accordingly. The child tends to feel more comfortable pushing their limits, especially since there is no one to compare themselves to.
With a dedicated instructor, lesson schedules are also more flexible. You can organise your timetable so that the lesson fits into your available time rather than the other way around.
When considering group or private swimming lessons, this flexibility is essential. In some schools, advanced-level lessons are only available at specific times, which may not be ideal for you and your family.
Meanwhile, private lessons can be held in your home pool.
Private lessons are great for children who are just learning to swim, those with special conditions such as phobia or anxiety, those who struggle with concentration, or those looking to refine their technique and style.
So, how do you decide between Group vs. Private Swimming Lessons?
Now that you understand the characteristics of each type of lesson, it’s important to assess your reality before choosing between group or private swimming lessons.
It is worth noting that swimming skills improve with repetition. Therefore, lessons focused entirely on your child will yield better results. For those interested in competitions, private lessons are much more specific and beneficial.
Overall, private lessons are the better option. If possible, choose this mode so your child can learn to swim more quickly.
But Easy2Swim also offers group lessons, with an evaluation process to ensure that the participants’ skill levels do not hinder individual progress. We organise groups where all children receive the same level of attention and work together on the same skills.
In the end, the best choice depends on your child’s needs and your family’s routine. If the goal is a fun and social experience, group lessons might be the way to go. But if you want faster progress, personalised attention, and flexible scheduling, private lessons are undoubtedly the best investment.
Whatever your choice, the most important thing is ensuring your child feels safe and confident in the water—because learning to swim is a skill that lasts a lifetime.
