In today’s world, English is an indispensable language. It is the main transaction language for most of the businesses. For people who are not native speakers or relevantly fluent in English, it can be a tough experience to get things done in the global arena. Nowadays, we have a significant number of facilities to learn English in the comfort of our office/home setting. It enables us to set our own pace, get individual attention, and measurable outputs within a short period. Here are our tips to learn a new language faster.
The Qualities of an Online English Teacher
1. Certified ESL Professional
In addition to the Bachelor’s Degree, which online teachers are required to have, you should also check if your teacher is a certified ESL professional. This course is especially aimed at non-native learners of English. You should also check if your teacher has taken courses on online classroom teaching. It will ensure that your teacher is academically well-equipped to handle your requirements.
2. Specified Classroom Timings
While hard and fast punctuality is not definite criteria, because you and your teacher both are communicating from your settings, your teacher should be available for each planned classroom session. Any notice for cancellation or change in timings should be communicated well in advance. If your teacher is responsive even after your classroom timings, it is a bonus.
3. Solve Your Queries
Does your teacher entertain your queries during the session and after it? This factor is in close correlation with the above question. Even if your teacher is available frequently, he/she should encourage you to explore various facets of English (relevant to your lessons and occasionally other general questions); otherwise, your classroom sessions will not be effective.
4. Teaching Methodology
Does your teacher use infographics and real-life examples to illustrate the topics being taught? When you study English online, the sessions must be fun. Creative teachers are bound to make their students learn faster and with lasting impressions.
5. Encouraging Nature
To ensure that your pronunciation and accent are correct, your teacher should encourage you to prepare short speeches or conversation exchanges that you speak out aloud over the Skype call.
6. Online Classroom Sessions
If your answer to the above question is affirmative, you will look forward to your daily dose of English. If you find yourself avoiding to pay for sessions, it is time to consider changing your online English teacher.
7. Real-world Solutions
If you find that your awkwardness in dealing with native English speakers is decreasing by the day, you should know that your teacher is a keeper!
8. Evaluate Your Progress
Does your teacher set targets, evaluate your progress, and give you an overview of the lesson plans of the course that you are taking? It is effortless to become complacent with knowing a few basic English aspects and losing track of your progress if your teacher is not attentive enough. If your teacher involves you by asking your purpose in learning English, sets definite goals, and conducts regular written and oral tests, you are definitely in good hands.
9. Homework
Everybody finds homework boring. But if your teacher gives you reading/watching assignments that you enjoy, you will find that learning English (even with homework) is an exciting activity.
10. Value for the Money
Money is an essential aspect of deciding whether you have hired the right teacher. Of course, certified and more educated teachers will charge higher rates as compared to self-trained teachers, you will have to scan the testimonials to find if the teacher’s classes are worth enrolling for.
