Online Teaching Tips

1. Test your presentation technology before class. Ask a colleague or get the help of a professional - we'd love to help you find your perfect online English teaching solution.

2. Always let your students speak in the first minutes of class and ask them to activate their camera at least for the first couple of minutes. For example, you could ask them about a skill they've learned this week. That way you make sure that everybody gets the chance to say something in class and that they feel heard. This will also help your students feel part of the class as they gradually get to know each other in the lessons.

3. Ask your students for feedback on how they are doing after every online lesson. The solution could be a quick survey that checks if your students were able to follow and understood everything during class. Also, you can check if there are any questions left. This will help you receive feedback, engage your students and motivate them to learn more.

4. Choose a different virtual background. Include a quote of the week or something that you are going to talk about in the lesson. You could also have themed lessons and change your virtual video background accordingly. Remember to leave a space in the middle for yourself.

5. Have rules for your online classes. Don't let everyone speak at the same time, remind them to raise their hand if they want to say something. Also, don’t be afraid to mute and unmute your students during discussions.

6. Give your students time to ask questions at the end of a class in the same way that you would at the end of a face to face lesson before they leave.

7. Buy a camera cover for your laptop camera which you close after class. You’ve probably seen all those funny videos on the internet where people forgot to leave their online class properly. We don’t want this happening to you: So invest in a laptop camera cover and remember to use it.