The Do's and Don'ts of Virtual Teaching English

The lives of the world's teachers and students arebefore a lesson. Equipment failures can lead to delays
changing in this technological age, taking work andand frustrations for the students. You can easily wave
study in a whole new direction. Imagine sittingbye-bye to your time, money and students if your
completely on the other side of the globe from yourequipment is always causing problems.
student while you instruct him/her on the rules ofDo accept and integrate feedback into your lesson
present continuous. Look, it can happen, and it isplan.
happening right now. Virtual teaching English is the newEach student is different, so different ideas and tactics
wave in working around the world, but there are somedon't work for everyone. Be sure to ask your student
points that must be made in order to make sure youwhat they are finding helpful and vice versa so that
are an ESL/EFL teacher that can also be successfulyou can make changes to your online teaching English
outside of the standard classroom setting.regimen as necessary.
Do make yourself look presentable.Don't assume your student understands.
You may be at home, in a hostel, or sitting on theAsk comprehension questions constantly to find out
beach, but looks still impress. Dress like a teacher nowhat your student has or has not picked up in class.
matter where you are in this big world so that yourVirtual teaching can be less personal and also make it
students take you seriously.harder to read a student's knowledge.
Don't be late.Do give your student your full attention.
Stay on top of time zones and time changes. If youAs stated before, virtual teaching English can be less
are trying to bust into the world of virtual teachingpersonal, and it can be harder to keep a student's
English, you will need to make sure you are keepingfocus. Are they sitting in a quiet area? Do they look
yourself a notch above the rest and forgetting to godistracted? Do your best to keep all eyes on the
to lessons on time can be a huge turn-off for students.student so they feel the interaction during the lesson.
Do make sure you have all necessary equipment.Don't mumble or slouch.
The equipment requirements for virtual teaching EnglishLooking enthusiastic will help keep your students
include a headset with high quality microphone, decentinterested. If you mumble, slouch, or let your eyes stray
webcam, Skype or other internet telephone system,away, the student will be more likely to divert their
and high speed internet. These are requirements forattention elsewhere as well.
both the virtual teacher and student.Do have fun.
Don't forget to check your equipment before eachIf you have fun, chances are your students will, too!
lesson.Make learning English an exciting adventure, because it
Log on early to make sure you are in working orderis one!