Love at First Lesson: Preparing for and Handling Your First Online English Session

If you’re a new online English teacher, you might feel worried about how to start teaching English online. After all, teaching English online for the first time can be nerve-wracking, but don’t worry! To help you prepare beforehand and handle lessons well, check out these online teaching tips and teach lessons your new students will love.

Before the lesson

1. Check your equipment

Make sure your equipment is working properly to avoid any interruption or inconvenience for you and your student. This is one of the tips for online teaching that you will often read or hear because your equipment is your most important asset during a lesson. See if your computer or laptop is working properly, check your Internet connection and speed, and test your headset, microphone, and webcam. For those who are using laptops, don’t forget to charge your laptops or have them plugged in, so you don’t run out of battery power during a lesson.

2. Review and prepare for the lesson

After checking your equipment, review your lesson material for the session and prepare the teaching aids that you will need. Go over your lesson material to understand and practice the topic that you will teach. Make sure you’re also familiar with the online teaching platform that you will be using, so you don’t waste time figuring out the platform during the lesson. Having everything prepared and knowing how your equipment and software work will help you focus on teaching during the lesson.

3. Don’t be late

Always be early and leave enough time before your first or next lesson. While waiting for your lesson to start, check your equipment, prepare for the lesson, focus, and get ready. Remember that time is gold not only for you but also for your students. Starting on time will ensure that you end on time, avoiding any inconvenience to you and your students. Ultimately, starting on time will leave a good impression on your students.

Keep these online teaching tips in mind to help you come prepared during your lessons.

During the lesson

1. Communicate clearly

To teach English effectively, always use simple words and sentences that your students will understand. In EFL, this is called grading your language. You must simplify your words or sentences depending on your student’s English proficiency. For example, if you want to move on to the next lesson, it’s better to say “ Let’s go to the next page” instead of “Let’s proceed to the next page.” When asking a question, it’s better to ask “Who/What is this?” rather than “Are you familiar with this picture?” Remember that you are teaching English language beginners, so use simple words and grammar, and speak more slowly to communicate clearly.

2. Keep learners engaged

Most of the online English teaching tips that you will encounter often emphasize engaging students. After all, since lessons are virtual and interactions are limited, online English teachers must find a way to break that barrier and make the lessons more fun, interesting, and interactive. Allow your students to speak more, and use teaching aids such as puppets and flash cards. Always involve your students during lessons to help them learn better and faster.

3. Always encourage learners

Positive reinforcement will motivate your students in learning the English language. Aside from praising students for a job well done, materialize their achievements by using a reward system. This can be in the form of virtual treats, stars, toys, and more. Although encouragement is important, don't hesitate to correct your students to help them learn the right way.

Love at first lesson

Practice and keep these online teaching tips in mind so your new students will love your lessons and come back for another session. Hopefully, over time, you become more confident in teaching your new students. If you need more encouragement and advice, here are some tips for being comfortable and confident when teaching online.

For those who are interested in becoming an online English teacher, 51Talk, the leading online English education platform in the Philippines, offers educators and professionals the opportunity to teach and earn in the comfort of their home. Join 51Talk today, and fulfill your passion and love for teaching.