Teaching letter sounds to young students is very important for their acquisition process.
Young Students at my School in Vietnam
Words With No Meaning
Imagine a toddler’s world full of symbols they see but can’t decipher. I remember when I first recognized the critical role of teaching letter sounds – that aha moment when a child connects sounds to letters is nothing short of magical. Teaching these sounds is the starting point to opening up a universe of words, a fundamental part of early learning that sets the stage for reading and spelling success.
Phonemic awareness.
The ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words is a crucial skill. I’ve seen kids need to grasp for sounds before they can read effectively. So we should teach sounds before words, in my opinion.
As a precursor to phonics, understanding letter sounds helps children in predicting how words are spelled and spoken, which is incredibly empowering for them.
And the ripple effects are vast; studies have shown time and again that strong literacy skills established in these early years have long-term academic and social benefits.
Early literacy education goes beyond the classroom. As a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you hold an incredibly vital role in a child’s literacy journey. Instilling a love for reading starts with your patience and persistence during these early stages. Teaching letter sounds can seem like a monumental task, but remember, it yields extraordinary results: confident readers and eager learners.
Embracing your role as an educator requires understanding and utilizing the right methods. These methods should never be one-size-fits-all, rather they must be personalized.
You tailor your approach based on the child’s unique learning style, interests, and pace. In the next section, we’ll explore how to create a nurturing environment that fosters this learning at home, along with practical strategies to guide your preschooler through the exciting world of letters and sounds.
In my experience, the role parents play in the early stages of a child’s education can’t be overstated. Every child is unique, and recognizing this is crucial when teaching them letter sounds. It’s all about finding what clicks for your child and nurturing that spark of comprehension.
First off, creating a learning environment at home doesn’t require a classroom setting. A comfortable corner with good lighting and access to books and learning materials would suffice. The aim is to make this space inviting and distraction-free, where concentration on learning activities can occur naturally.
Now, not all children respond to the same teaching methods. I’ve seen that firsthand. You may need to experiment with different approaches to discover what resonates with your child. Some preschoolers learn letter sounds more effectively through songs and rhymes, while others benefit from hands-on activities like letter tracing or puzzle solving.
Positive reinforcement is a game-changer. Be generous with praise and encouragement. When your child successfully learns a new letter sound, celebrate that achievement. It could be a high five, a sticker, or an extra story at bedtime. These rewards reinforce their success and motivate them to keep learning.
I’d say the most important thing is to be patient and persistent. Consistency is key, even if progress seems slow. Regular, short sessions are better than infrequent, longer ones which can tire a young child out and lead to frustration.
Above all, remember that learning should be joyful. When you’re enthusiastic about teaching letter sounds, your child will adopt the same attitude. This love for learning can lead to a seamless transition into engaging activities that further enhance their understanding, which I’ll discuss in the next section.
Engaging Activities to Teach Letter Sounds to Preschoolers
As a parent or educator, you know that active engagement is the key to making learning resonate with preschoolers. Imagine replacing a traditional classroom approach with interactive games and activities that make the alphabet come alive for the little ones.
One effective tool is to transform learning into play. You might use colorful flashcardsor felt letters to craft games that match sounds to symbols. Or consider engaging activities such as ‘letter sound hide and seek,’ where children find objects that start with a specific letter.
In this digital age, technology is a supportive ally. Smartly chosen apps and educational videos can be brilliant resources to help young minds grasp phonics. Look for apps that are specifically designed for preschoolers and focus on phonics fundamentals. Remember to supervise screen time and intersperse tech activities with hands-on learning.
Don’t overlook the power of embedding education into the fabric of everyday life. Encourage your child to listen for the beginning sounds of items you encounter on a trip to the grocery store, or create a bedtime story ritual that emphasizes the sounds of specific letters.
Monitoring Progress and Overcoming Challenges
When I teach letter sounds to preschoolers, I follow through with monitoring their progress. This not only helps me understand how well they are grasping the concepts, but it also indicates when I might need to adjust my methods.
I set realistic milestones tailored to their pace of learning. For example, recognizing the sounds of the first few alphabets might be an initial goal. This approach alleviates pressure and helps build confidence in children.
Addressing common difficulties is another aspect I focus on. I have strategies in place for when a child struggles with a particular sound, like breaking it down further or using different learning aids.
Finally
Understanding when to seek additional support is crucial. Consider consulting with early education specialists or speech therapists if consistent efforts don’t yield progress. They can provide expert advice and resources tailored to each child’s needs.
Steve
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
Warm up questions are important to get your students thinking about speaking in English in the ESL classroom.
Teach ESL Talking
You must become an expert in teaching conversational skills if you want to help your students become better speakers. You must be able to encourage your students to talk, guide the discussion along, offer constructive criticism, and make everything seem natural. Additionally, you need interesting subjects, which is what this tutorial is all about.
Knowing what to discuss with students is one of the challenges a teacher may encounter. When you realize that only five minutes have passed after finishing your conversation about the daily topic or lesson, what do you do?
Selecting a specific topic for a class is a wonderful idea. After you have that subject, proceed through the questions, making an effort to get the students to talk as much as they can.
Basic Questions for ESL Learners
Here is a list of questions to warm up your students and get them thinking in English. I always like to start a lesson with 30 minutes of talking, using games if it is age-appropriate. More on games with links later.
Also check out the ESL teacher survival guide on Amazon, downloadable or paperback version. About $22.00 US for Kindle and $25.00 for paperback. Go the download… Your Special Amazon Link.
School.
Do you like school?
What is your favorite subject?
What is your least favorite subject?
Who is your favorite teacher?
Why do people have to go to school?
Do you like homework?
What would you do if you were the headteacher?
How could schools be more fun?
How long are the summer holidays?
Can you learn and have fun at the same time?
Family
How many people are in your family?
Who are they?
What job does your dad do?
What job does your mum do?
Who cooks in your family?
Is your family important to you?
Which is more important, friends or family?
Who is the weirdest person in your family?
Are families less important nowadays than in the past?
What would happen if we didn’t have families?
Home
Where do you live?
What is there to do in your city?
What is your place like?
What is your neighborhood like?
Are there any parks near where you live?
Have you ever lived elsewhere?
How many rooms does your place have?
If you moved, where would you like to live?
Would you prefer to live in the city or country?
Would you like to live abroad?
Learning English.
Do you enjoy speaking English?
What is the best way to improve your speaking?
What is the best way to improve your listening?
What is the best way to improve your vocabulary?
What is the best way to improve your writing?
What is the most difficult part of learning English?
How is English different from your language?
How can you be a good conversationalist?
Do you read English books?
Do you watch English videos?
Everyday Life
What is your daily routine on weekdays?
How do you usually spend your weekends?
What is your favorite meal of the day? Why?
How do you usually travel to work or school?
What is your favorite season and why?
What’s your favorite local restaurant or café?
What is your favorite way to relax after a long day?
What is one thing you can’t live without? Why?
How often do you go shopping for groceries or clothes?
What’s something you want to learn how to do?
Travel and Culture
Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? What was your experience like?
If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go and why?
What is the most interesting cultural festival or event you have attended or heard of?
How does the cuisine in your country differ from that in other countries you know about?
Can you describe a traditional outfit or costume from your culture?
What are some customs or traditions from your culture that others might find surprising?
What cultural differences have you noticed between your country and others?
Is there a language you would love to learn? Why?
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen in your travels?
How do you think traveling affects a person’s view of the world?
Hypothetical Situations
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
If you could live in any era of history, when would you choose and why?
If you had a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
What would you do if you won a million dollars?
If you could have dinner with any person from history, who would it be and why?
If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
Imagine you’re stranded on a deserted island. What three items would you want to have with you?
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be and why?
What would your perfect day look like?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
There are hundreds of questions you can think up and these are examples only. Make sure you use age and culture-appropriate questions. You know your students, so tailor the questions to their age and skill level.
Also mixing them up in games is a great way to engage your students. If you are serious about ESL you should be building a resource bank and the books I have suggested are a basic staple, invest in your profession.
Two Truths and a Lie: Participants state two true facts and one false fact about themselves. The rest of the class tries to guess which one is the lie.
Role-play Conversations: Create scenarios (like ordering in a restaurant, asking for directions, etc.) where multiple students must act out a conversation in pairs or small groups.
Picture Storytelling: Show a random picture and ask students to create a story around it. This can be done individually or in groups.
Charades with Vocabulary: Students act out a word without speaking while others guess. Focus on new vocabulary or themes you’re studying.
Find Someone Who: Prepare a list of statements (e.g., “Find someone who has visited another country”). Students must find classmates who match these statements.
Word Association Game: Start with one word, and each student quickly says a word associated with the previous one. This can be tailored to the lesson’s vocabulary.
Sentence Building Race: Give students a set of words and challenge them to create the longest, grammatically correct sentence.
Cultural Exchange: Students share something about their culture or country, fostering cross-cultural understanding and conversation.
‘What’s in the Bag?’ Game: Place several objects in a bag. Students reach in, feel an object, and describe it (without looking) to the class.
Alphabet Story: Create a story where each sentence begins with the following letter of the alphabet. Each student adds a sentence.
Memory Challenge: Display a list of words for a minute. Hide them and then ask students to recall as many words as possible.
Pictionary with Vocabulary Words: Similar to charades, but students draw the word instead of acting it out.
Taboo Words: Give a student a word to describe without using a list of commonly associated words (e.g., describe “snow” without saying “cold,” “white,” or “winter”).
Opinion Polls: Present a statement and ask students to move to areas of the room based on their opinion (agree, disagree, unsure). They then discuss their reasons.
ESL Bingo: Create bingo cards with different characteristics or experiences. Students mingle to find classmates who match the squares and form a bingo.
Asking questions to ESL (English as a Second Language) students is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to assess their understanding of the material being taught. By asking questions, teachers can gauge the students’ comprehension and identify areas that may need further explanation or practice.
Secondly, asking questions encourages ESL students to actively participate in the learning process. It can help them practice their English language skills, such as speaking and listening, and build their confidence in using the language.
Additionally, asking questions allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the specific needs of ESL students. It provides an opportunity to address any confusion or misconceptions that may arise during the learning process.
Teaching Online.
Final Thoughts.
Asking questions to ESL students is a valuable tool for promoting engagement, assessing understanding, and providing targeted support to help them succeed in learning English.
Don’t fall back on textbooks for teaching, use the resources of your brain and make better English speakers of your students.
My name is Stephen and I have been teaching ESL for over 15 years and have my own school. I also place teachers across Vietnam into both private and public schools. I am also the author and owner of this website.
You can check out my school on the YouTube link below.
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
This will help you if you are an English teacher teaching online.
Knowing your Students.
Knowing your students makes all the difference.
And the first step is to introduce yourself and learn your students names, however difficult they may be to pronounce. You may want to introduce nicknames if you can’t master the tones of their language.
When you teach English online, you encounter learners from diverse backgrounds with unique needs. You’ll want to understand these differences and tailor your teaching strategies accordingly. For instance, some students might be visual learners while others prefer auditory methods or hands-on activities.
This brings us to the next piece of the puzzle: your virtual classroom. Creating an environment that’s both welcoming and conducive to learning is key. This isn’t just about having a stable internet connection or using a quality webcam; it’s also about the digital tools and platforms you choose. From whiteboard apps to interactive quizzes, the right tech can transform a lesson from mundane to memorable.
Now, let’s talk about cultural sensitivity. You’re going to be engaging with students from around the globe, and each one of them comes from a rich cultural tapestry that shapes their learning perspective. Understanding and respecting these differences are not just professional; they’re essential to creating an inclusive and effective learning experience.
I’m here to help you make those connections between students’ backgrounds and their learning processes. By doing so, you’ll be setting them—and yourself—up for a much more enriching educational journey.
So what comes after setting this foundation for success? You guessed it: engaging them with effective teaching techniques, which is exactly what we’re going to explore next.
Engaging and Effective Teaching Techniques
I’m going to share a secret with you: the best English teachers are magicians. They transform the screen into a stage and captivate their audience with words. How do they do it? Interactive tools, storytelling, and adaptive feedback are their wands.
First up, interactive tools and resources make a huge difference. I’m talking about quizzes, polls, and games that students can participate in real time.
These are not just fun; they’re essential for keeping attention spans hooked. Use platforms like Kahoot! or Quizlet to create dynamic learning sessions that feel like play.
Storytelling
That brings us to storytelling. Stories carry the power to transport us to different worlds, and they can do the same for your students. Introduce a complex grammatical structure within the context of a captivating tale. You’re going to find out that narrative context makes abstract concepts much more digestible.
Feedback.
I can’t stress enough how important feedback is. This isn’t just about correcting errors. it’s also about praising efforts and guiding students toward self-improvement. Strive for a balance of positive reinforcement and constructive critique. Remember, feedback is a two-way street, encourage students to give their thoughts on lessons as well.
Choose techniques that resonate with you, because your passion will shine through and enhance the learning experience. And don’t worry too much about each session being perfect; teaching is a journey, and you can always adjust your approach down the road.
You can find some of the best FREE online tools here. Free OnlineTools
Sustaining Motivation and Retention.
Keeping students motivated in an online English class can be just as challenging as the teaching itself. But don’t worry too much about it.
I have some strategies that I use that will help you sustain your students’ motivation and thus increase retention over time.
Goal setting with students is more than just a buzzword. it’s a practical way to steer their learning journey. You’re going to find out about the effectiveness of setting clear, achievable objectives that align with their ambitions. This isn’t just about learning English; it’s also about connecting the language skills to their future success.
Building a community online might seem like a lofty goal, but it’s achievable with the right approach. Choose something that resonates with you, whether it’s group projects, discussion forums, or virtual coffee breaks. These approaches foster a sense of belonging and can turn a disparate group of online learners into a tight-knit community.
Lastly
Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last when it comes to keeping lessons fresh. Just don’t focus too much on perfection. A lot is happening very quickly in the world of online education, and there’s a lot of opportunity to experiment with new content and teaching methods.
Adaptability is your friend here; you can always adjust your approach down the road.
My name is Steve, hope this helps.
If you like this check out my blogs on speech -to -script and script-to-speech tools on my YouTube site.
Please support me on Ko-Fi so I can continue to bring you FREE resources like this.
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
I’m going to kick things off by addressing why grammar is the cornerstone of language acquisition for ESL learners. Without a solid grasp of grammar, students may struggle to communicate effectively or be misunderstood, which can lead to a lack of confidence. That’s why it’s imperative for you, as an ESL teacher, to have a strong command of essential grammar rules.
You’re going to find out about the common hurdles you might encounter when teaching grammar. It’s not unusual to face a classroom with diverse language backgrounds or students with varying levels of proficiency. Each student might have unique challenges with different grammatical concepts, and your job is to navigate these waters skillfully.
This isn’t just about memorizing rules; it’s also about understanding how these rules apply to real-world communication. Approaching grammar teaching with a student-first mindset means tailoring examples and exercises to be relevant to students’ lives and interests. It’s about fostering an environment where grammar isn’t daunting but rather a tool for unlocking the full potential of the English language.
Choose techniques that resonate with your teaching style and your students’ learning preferences. Introduce grammar in a way that’s engaging and thought-provoking, ensuring that your lessons stick. That’s the strategy I like to leverage to transform grammar from a feared subject into an approachable one.
In the upcoming section, ‘Fundamental Grammar Building Blocks,’ we’re going to cover the indispensable parts of speech, sentence structure, verb tenses, and subject-verb agreement. Just remember, your first attempt at introducing these concepts doesn’t need to be flawless. It’s a learning curve for both you and your students. Let’s prepare to lay down the foundation for building strong grammar skills.
Fundamental Grammar Building Blocks
You’re going to find out about the core elements of English grammar in this section. Think of grammar as the scaffold that supports language construction; without a firm grasp of these basics, students’ language abilities may remain shaky.
Parts of Speech.
I’m going to start by discussing parts of speech because they’re the foundation of every sentence. Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections each play a critical role, and they need to be taught early on in ESL education for optimal understanding.
Sentence Structure.
Next up is sentence structure. Crafting sentences that are both clear and grammatically correct is a cornerstone of language learning. I’ll talk about the importance of subject-predicate construction, the use of objects, and how phrases and clauses fit together to convey precise meanings.
Tense Consistency.
I’ll also dive into tense consistency, teaching you how to guide students in using the past, present, and future tenses effectively. ESL learners often struggle with the concept of time in English, so I recommend adopting a consistent approach, using timelines and real-world examples to elucidate this topic.
Verb Agreement.
Finally, I’ll cover subject-verb agreement, because it’s crucial. Whether a subject is singular or plural, the verb must agree. This isn’t just about memorizing rules; it’s about understanding the logic behind them, which can be a sticking point for many learners. I’m here to help you with strategies and tools to explain this concept with clarity.
Contextual Grammar: Beyond the Basics
Contextual grammar takes the rules and principles of English and applies them to real-life situations. This isn’t just about memorizing rules; it’s also about understanding how language works in various contexts. As an ESL teacher, you’re going to find out about some nuanced aspects of grammar essential for your students to communicate effectively.
First up, modal verbs. These helpers (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must) are crucial in conveying possibility, ability, permission, and obligation. Your students might struggle with their subtleties, but I’m here to help you guide them through the maze.
Conditionals are your go-to for teaching probability and possibility. They can be tricky because they’re not just about the form—’ if this, then that’—it’s also about the meaning behind each conditional. From zero to third conditionals, it’s vital to show how each one fits into everyday conversation.
Direct and indirect speech is where things can get tangled. You’ll be helping your students learn how to shift from reporting speech (‘She said, “I am tired”‘) to conveying the message without quoting word for word (‘She said she was tired’).
Lastly, let’s talk about relative clauses. These are the bits that connect ideas within a sentence (‘The book that you gave me is on the table’). They’re excellent for adding information without starting a new sentence and they help in keeping stories flowing. But, you’ll need to explain the difference between essential and non-essential clauses to prevent confusion.
So, now you’ve got a handle on these advanced topics, let’s move on to something even more exciting—bringing grammar to life in the ESL classroom. You can always adjust your approach down the road, but with these advanced grammar foundations, your students will be better equipped to express themselves with clarity and confidence.
Click here for over 15,000 downloadable Grammar sheets at “Grammarism”
Grammar and Engagement: Interactive Teaching Techniques
Now, harnessing the power of play in the classroom isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must for helping students internalize grammar rules. That’s where games and collaborative activities step in to transform rote learning into an interactive experience.
Feedback and correction are like the guardrails on the road to language mastery. Done right, they provide direction without discouraging learners. Remember, it’s about building confidence as much as competence.
Grammar teaching isn’t just about the ‘what’; it’s also about the ‘where’ and ‘how’. Folding cultural nuances into your grammar lessons can provide rich, real-world context that gives rules relevance.
Assessment shouldn’t be a source of dread for your students. When you use methods that emphasize understanding over memorization, you promote long-term retention and more meaningful learning. It’s true, that change can be slow, but even small shifts towards engaging, practical assessment can yield big improvements in how students grasp grammar.
How to Make Grammar Fun.
Making grammar fun for ESL students can greatly enhance their learning experience and engagement. Here are some ideas to make grammar lessons more enjoyable:
Interactive Games:
Incorporate grammar games into your lessons, such as grammar bingo, board games, or online quizzes. This adds an element of competition and fun while reinforcing grammar rules and concepts.
Use Multimedia:
Utilize videos, songs, and interactive online resources that focus on grammar. Engage students with visually appealing and entertaining content that demonstrates grammar rules in a relatable context.
Hands-on Activities:
Include hands-on activities that promote kinesthetic learning. For example, create grammar flashcards for students to match, or have them physically rearrange sentence cards to practice sentence structure.
Role-plays and Skits:
Incorporate role-plays and skits where students can use grammar rules in context. This enables them to practice grammar more dynamically and creatively, fostering communication skills alongside grammar acquisition.
Storytelling and Creative Writing:
Encourage students to write stories or engage in creative writing exercises where they can showcase their grammar knowledge. This allows them to apply grammar in a creative and personalized manner.
Implement a points or rewards system where students can earn badges or prizes for mastering grammar concepts. This gamification approach adds an element of excitement and motivation to the learning process.
Incorporate Technology:
Integrate educational apps, online grammar games, or interactive websites into your lessons. These tools can make grammar learning more visually appealing and provide instant feedback to students.
Group Projects:
Assign group projects that require students to collaborate and apply grammar rules. For example, create a grammar poster or a grammar-themed skit to encourage teamwork and application of grammar concepts.
Real-life Context:
Teach grammar within real-life contexts and situations that students can relate to. Incorporate examples from everyday conversations, news articles, or popular culture to help students see the relevance of grammar in their daily lives.
Celebrate Progress:
Recognize and celebrate student progress and achievements in learning grammar. Praise their efforts, offer positive reinforcement, and showcase their work to the class or school community.
Remember, creating a positive and supportive learning environment is crucial when making grammar fun for ESL students. Adapt your teaching methods to cater to different learning styles, provide ample practice opportunities, and foster a sense of enjoyment and curiosity in your students.
Final Thoughts.
I’m here to help you with these strategies, so you can take your teaching to the next level. I hope that you’ll find this advice not just theoretical but actionable in your next lesson.
Have you got other effective grammar-teaching tactics? Share them with us—we’re all on this journey together! And if you’re looking for even more insights, stay tuned for my upcoming articles on teaching English as a Second Language.
Learning a new language is easy for some and downright difficult for others. As an ESL teacher, I strongly recommend a classroom approach to learning a language. But that does not mean I do not agree with other styles of learning. One of the best I use for myself is having an app on your phone you can use anywhere.
So let’s dive in and see if you agree with some of my statements.
The Symbiosis of Classroom and App-Assisted Language Learning
Benefits of Traditional Classroom Learning for Language Acquisition: Traditional classroom learning provides a structured environment for language learning. It offers direct interaction with a teacher and peers, which can enhance understanding and fluency. Classroom learning also provides immediate feedback, which is crucial for language acquisition. And possibly even more important, it provides students with seeing how words are formed visually, and rather than having to hunt for answers if using an app, you can ask the teacher to explain.
Identifying Gaps in Classroom Learning and Leveraging Apps for Reinforcement: While classroom learning is beneficial, it may not cater to individual learning styles and pace. Language learning apps can fill these gaps. They allow learners to practice at their own pace and according to their own schedule. Apps can reinforce what is taught in the classroom and provide additional practice in areas where a learner may be struggling.
How Apps Offer Personalized Repetition and Aid Retention: Repetition is key in language learning, and apps excel at this. They can offer personalized repetition exercises based on a learner’s performance. This targeted practice aids retention and helps learners master the language more effectively.
The Importance of Immediate Corrections and Native Pronunciation Examples in Class Versus Apps: Immediate correction in a classroom setting helps learners rectify mistakes in real time. However, native pronunciation examples may be limited in a classroom. Apps can provide a wide range of native pronunciation examples, helping learners understand the nuances of the language. Some apps even offer speech recognition technology for immediate pronunciation correction, making them a great supplement to classroom learning.
The Role of AI in Language Learning
Introduction to AI-Driven Language Learning Apps: AI-driven language learning apps are like smart tutors in your pocket. They use Artificial Intelligence to make learning a new language easier and more efficient. These apps can adapt to your learning style, provide instant feedback, and even understand and correct your pronunciation.
How AI in Apps Adapts to Individual Learning Styles and Paces: Every person learns differently and at their own pace. AI in language learning apps can understand this. It observes how you learn and then adjusts the lessons to fit your style and speed. This means you get a personalized learning experience, which can help you learn a new language faster.
Examples of Speech Recognition and Machine Learning in Language Reinforcement: Many language learning apps use speech recognition. This means the app can listen to you speak and correct your pronunciation. Machine learning is another technology used in these apps. It allows the app to learn from your mistakes and your progress, and then adjust future lessons accordingly. This constant reinforcement helps you to better remember and use the new language.
Contrasting AI’s Immediate Translations with In-Person Teacher Guidance: AI can provide immediate translations, which is very helpful. But it’s different from having a teacher. A teacher can explain things in different ways and answer your questions. They can also understand your feelings, like if you’re finding a lesson hard. AI is getting better, but it’s not the same as a human teacher. Yet, the two can work together to provide a powerful language-learning experience.
Remember, the goal is to show how AI-driven apps and traditional classroom learning can complement each other in language learning. !
Finding Your Learning Style:
Different Learning Styles and Their Impact on Language Study: People learn in different ways. Some people learn by listening, some by seeing, and others by doing. These are called auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles. The way you learn can impact how quickly and effectively you pick up a new language.
How to Identify Your Personal Learning Preferences: It’s important to know your learning style. You can do this by thinking about how you learn best. Do you remember things better when you hear them, see them, or do them? Once you know your style, you can use it to help you learn a new language.
Strategies to Combine Classroom Lessons with App Learning for Various Learning Styles: Classroom lessons and language apps can work together. If you’re a visual learner, you might use an app that has lots of pictures. If you’re an auditory learner, you might use an app that lets you listen to native speakers. And if you’re a kinesthetic learner, you might use an app that has interactive exercises.
The Role of Auditory, Visual, and Kinesthetic Elements in Language Apps: Language apps use sound, images, and interaction to help you learn. These match up with the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles. So no matter what your learning style is, there’s an app that can help you learn a new language.
Remember, the goal is to show how understanding your learning style and using the right strategies can make learning a new language easier and more effective.
Mondly is a language-learning app that uses gamification to make learning a new language fun and engaging. It offers short and engaging lessons that focus on useful vocabulary. However, it doesn’t place as much emphasis on grammar or speaking skills as other apps. Let’s look a bit closer. (Click the above link to find the latest deals)
Upon logging in, the first screen you see is the Mondly dashboard, which has a map-like appearance. There are several landmark icons on this map, and each one stands for a distinct subject or idea.
You can view each of these various “landmarks” by swiping left to right across the interactive map. Among many other things, these subjects include the weather, travel, and family. Once you click on a topic, there are typically six to eight lessons within it.
Mondly offers daily lessons that you can either finish directly by diving into one of these “stand-alone” topics. Because the topic lessons tend to build upon one another, the daily lessons are really just Mondly’s suggested order of operation.
The curriculum’s core lessons are these daily ones, though you can always go ahead and skip lessons if you’d like. You can also access a weekly quiz if you finish all of your daily lessons for the week. In addition, you can access a monthly challenge after finishing all of your weekly quizzes.
Hopefully, you can see where this is going. Consistency and streaks are important to Mondly, and you typically adhere to this by taking the assigned daily lessons.
The Lessons
Each lesson consists of about twelve short, interactive drills and exercises covering the four main communication domains: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Among these drills are:1. Spelling words and phrases; 2. Listening to words and phrases in your target language and then repeating them; matching phrases to images (which is very similar to Rosetta Stone); 3. Completing mock conversations by choosing the appropriate response; translating sentences between languages; and listening to a question and choosing the appropriate multiple-choice answer.
Mondly makes an effort to gamify and enjoy the process of learning a language. It’s pretty cool that the main dashboard has the appearance of an interactive map, and you can always view your stats from the navigation bar.
Virtual Reality
Mondly provides virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) learning apps in addition to their standard app and language courses. These apps are intended to supplement the standard lessons.
This is the main way that Mondly sets itself apart from rivals. Mondly is kind of a pioneer in the field of digital language learning because of the novelty of the programs.
You can immerse yourself in virtual environments with the Mondly VR app. You’re thrown into a variety of scenarios where you have to communicate with locals, such as making travel arrangements, ordering takeout, or going grocery shopping. Put another way, the app aims to use virtual reality to mimic authentic scenarios with native speakers.
In case you lack a VR headset, Mondly provides their augmented reality app at no cost when you register for a premium account. Using augmented reality technology, the AR app scans your room and creates animations and a computer-generated teacher for you to enjoy in your own home.
Please go to Mondly to view their pricing. They do have a free version, however, that is very limited. Most people go for the premium price structure which is only $10 per month or $48.00 if paying yearly in advance. Mondly is very cheap when compared with other language apps.
My Opinion
There are a lot of good points about Mondly. Gamification and low cost are the obvious ones. But it does let itself down in the grammar department and it isn’t the best in developing your conversational skills. But you can’t beat the price.
Babbel is an online, self-paced language-learning program that offers high-quality lessons unique to each language. It’s more challenging than most other language apps, but the exercises can be tedious. Babbel is best for people already skilled at learning languages or those who already speak a language related to the one they want to learn
Babbel is a language learning app that offers courses in 14 different languages. It uses a variety of methods to teach languages, including interactive lessons, games, and real-life conversations with native speakers. Babbel is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, and it can be used on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
The app is based on the spaced repetition system, which means that it repeats words and phrases at increasing intervals to help you remember them. Babbel also uses a variety of other techniques to help you learn, such as interactive exercises, quizzes, and games.
One of the things that sets Babbel apart from other language-learning apps is its focus on real-life conversations. The app features dialogues that are recorded by native speakers, and you can practice speaking and listening by recording your own responses. Babbel also offers live tutoring sessions with native speakers, which can be a great way to get personalized feedback on your progress.
Babbel is a subscription-based service, and the cost varies depending on the length of your subscription. The app is available in both a free and a paid version. The free version gives you access to a limited number of lessons, while the paid version gives you access to all of the app’s features.
Overall, Babbel is a well-designed and effective language-learning app that is suitable for a variety of learners. It is easy to use and accessible, and it offers a variety of methods to help you learn.
In my opinion, though it will not make you a fluent speaker of the language you have chosen.
The cleverly named language app “Rosetta Stone” was a key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, which allowed scholars to read and understand ancient Egyptian texts and inscriptions.
But our Rosetta Stone is a comprehensive language-learning software that helps you build a solid foundation in a foreign language. It’s excellent for beginners and offers a ton of additional content for more advanced learners. However, it won’t make you 100% fluent.
Rosetta Stone is a language learning app that offers courses in 25 different languages. It uses a variety of methods to teach languages, including interactive lessons, games, and real-life conversations with native speakers. Rosetta Stone is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, and it can be used on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
The app is based on the immersion method, which means that it teaches you a foreign language through context versus through translations. Rosetta Stone courses used to be entirely software-based (meaning you had to purchase a physical CD or download the program to your computer). However, courses are now offered through online subscription so users don’t need to buy the course outright.
One of the things that sets Rosetta Stone apart from other language-learning apps is its focus on pronunciation. The app features speech recognition technology that helps you practice your pronunciation by comparing your voice to that of a native speaker. Rosetta Stone also offers live tutoring sessions with native speakers, which can be a great way to get personalized feedback on your progress.
Rosetta Stone is a subscription-based service, and the cost varies depending on the length of your subscription. The app is available in both a free and a paid version. The free version gives you access to a limited number of lessons, while the paid version gives you access to all of the app’s features.
Overall, Rosetta Stone is a well-designed and effective language-learning app that is suitable for a variety of learners. It is easy to use and accessible, and it offers a variety of methods to help you learn. However, some users may find the immersion method challenging, and the app may not be suitable for those who prefer a more structured approach to language learning.
Talkpal is a brand new app. that has just come onto the market and offers 57 languages that they say offer a new way to learn.
What distinguishes TalkPal from other applications for language learning?
TalkPal employs cutting-edge AI to offer an interactive, enjoyable, and captivating language learning experience, in contrast to existing language learning applications. With the use of artificial intelligence and an active learning strategy, users can become fluent. TalkPal replicates authentic situations in which users engage with native speakers to acquire knowledge.
TalkPal provides two membership options: TalkPal Premium, which has more advanced capabilities and no restrictions, and a free subscription with restricted features. TalkPal Premium offers the choice of monthly or yearly payments. These begin at $10 a month, or $5 if paid annually.
TalkPal provides comprehensive coverage of grammar, allowing you to understand the subtleties and complexities of other languages and, as a result, improve your speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension abilities.
The four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are covered and while it is still a new app all the feedback has so far been very positive.
My Opinion.
From an ESL teacher’s perspective, each of these apps has its own strengths and weaknesses.
For example, Mondly’s focus on vocabulary can be useful for beginners, but its lack of emphasis on grammar and speaking skills might be a drawback.
Babbel’s challenging content can be beneficial for advanced learners, but its exercises might be tedious for some.
Rosetta Stone’s comprehensive approach is great for building a solid foundation, but it might not be enough to achieve fluency
Testimonials.
As for testimonials and success stories, many users have found these apps helpful in their language-learning journey.
For example, some users have found Mondly’s gamified learning experience enjoyable and effective. Babbel users have appreciated its challenging content and unique lessons for each language. Rosetta Stone users have praised its comprehensive approach to language learning. Duolingo users have enjoyed its fun and engaging learning experience.
In terms of a comparative analysis of app features, each app offers unique features that align with different learning objectives. For instance, Mondly’s VR & AR apps are game changers in language learning.
Babbel offers live classes and focuses on vocabulary that’s actually useful.
Rosetta Stone offers optional online tutoring sessions. So whichever app suits your style of learning and budget, I wish you the best in your language-learning journey,
The Best App for You!
Choosing the Ideal App: A Comparative Guide for Aspiring Polyglots
Criteria for Selecting the Best Language Learning App for You: The best app for you depends on your needs and goals. Consider factors like the languages offered, the teaching method, the type of content, and the cost. Also, think about your learning style and how much time you can commit to learning each day.
A Closer Look at User Interface, Content Quality, and Language Options: A good app should be easy to use, with a clear and intuitive interface. The content should be high-quality, engaging, and updated regularly. And of course, the app should offer the language you want to learn!
Analyzing Pricing, Subscription Models, and Accessibility of Each App: Some apps are free, while others require a subscription. Consider what you get for the price – does the app offer enough value to justify the cost? Also, check if the app is accessible on your device and if you can use it offline.
Closing Thoughts on Commitment Beyond Apps for Achieving Language Proficiency: While apps can be a great tool for language learning, they’re just one part of the puzzle. Achieving proficiency requires commitment and practice beyond the app. This includes speaking the language with others, immersing yourself in the culture, and continually challenging yourself.
The goal is how to choose the right language-learning app and how to use it effectively.
If you choose your app on price alone, Mondly stands out against the others. There are a lot of other language apps and each of them has its good and bad points. So take your time and choose one that you feel most comfortable with.
Steve
Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.
There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.
Designing an ESL lesson plan for adults can be challenging, but also rewarding. Adult learners have different needs, motivations, and goals than younger students, so you need to tailor your lessons accordingly. Here are some tips on how to create an effective and engaging ESL lesson plan for adults.
1. Know your learners. Before you start planning your lesson, you need to know who your learners are, what their level of English is, what they want to learn, and why they are learning English. This will help you choose the most relevant and appropriate topics, materials, and activities for your lesson.
2. Set clear and realistic objectives. Based on your learners’ needs and goals, you need to define what you want them to achieve by the end of the lesson. Your objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, by the end of the lesson, learners will be able to introduce themselves and ask for basic personal information in a formal setting.
3. Choose engaging and authentic materials. To make your lesson more interesting and meaningful for your learners, you should use materials that are relevant to their lives and interests, such as articles, videos, podcasts, or songs. You should also use authentic materials that expose them to real-world language use, such as newspapers, websites, or social media posts.
4. Plan a variety of activities. To keep your learners motivated and involved, you should plan a mix of activities that cover the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You should also include activities that promote interaction and communication among learners, such as pair work, group work, role plays, or discussions. You should also vary the level of difficulty and complexity of the activities according to your learners’ abilities and progress.
5. Assess your learners’ performance and provide feedback. At the end of the lesson, you should check if your learners have achieved the objectives you set for them. You can use different methods of assessment, such as quizzes, tests, presentations, or portfolios. You should also provide constructive feedback to your learners on their strengths and areas for improvement. You should also encourage them to reflect on their own learning and set goals for future lessons.
Make Your Own Lesson Plan Template.
If you are looking for a template ESL lesson plan for adults, you might find this blog post helpful. It outlines the basic steps and components of a successful ESL lesson, as well as some tips and resources to make your teaching more effective and engaging.
A template ESL lesson plan for adults should include the following elements:
– A warm-up activity to review previous material, activate prior knowledge, or introduce the topic of the lesson.
– A presentation stage to introduce new vocabulary, grammar, or skills, using clear explanations, examples, and visuals.
– A practice stage to give students the opportunity to use the new language or skills in controlled or guided activities, such as drills, exercises, or games.
– A production stage to allow students to apply the new language or skills in more authentic or creative tasks, such as role-plays, discussions, or projects.
– A feedback and correction stage to provide students with positive and constructive feedback on their performance, as well as to correct any errors or misunderstandings.
– A wrap-up activity to summarize the main points of the lesson, review the learning objectives, and assign homework or further practice.
Some tips and resources to make your ESL lesson plan more effective and engaging are:
– Use a variety of activities and materials to cater to different learning styles and preferences.
– Incorporate real-world contexts and situations to make the lesson more relevant and meaningful for the students.
– Adapt the level of difficulty and complexity of the activities to suit the students’ needs and abilities.
– Use clear and simple instructions and check for understanding before starting each activity.
– Monitor and support the students during the activities and provide feedback and corrections as needed.
– Encourage student interaction and participation and create a positive and supportive learning environment.
Template Examples.
You can find more examples and templates of ESL lesson plans for adults on these websites:
My current fave site is Twinkle, have a look, don’t worry I’m not making money off this. Twinkle..
Example Lesson Plans.
Here are two examples of ESL lesson plans for adults that you can use in your classroom or online teaching.
Example 1: Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
Objective: To help students practice the difference between present perfect and past simple tenses in speaking and writing.
Materials: A worksheet with sentences in present perfect and past simple, some dice, and a timer.
Procedure:
– Warm-up: Ask students to think of an event that happened in their life recently and write a sentence about it using the present perfect tense. For example, “I have finished reading a book.” Then, ask them to write another sentence using past simple tense with a specific time expression. For example, “I finished reading the book yesterday.” Have them share their sentences with a partner and compare the use of tenses.
– Presentation: Review the rules and examples of present perfect and past simple tenses on the board or on a slide. Explain when to use each tense and how to form them. Highlight the differences in meaning and usage.
– Practice: Give each pair of students a worksheet with sentences in present perfect and past simple. Have them roll a dice and read the sentence that corresponds to the number they get. Then, have them rewrite the sentence using the other tense. For example, if they get a sentence in present perfect, they have to rewrite it in past simple, and vice versa. Set a timer for 10 minutes and have them complete as many sentences as they can.
– Feedback: Check the answers as a class and correct any errors. Ask students to explain why they chose a certain tense and how it changes the meaning of the sentence.
Example 2: Giving Advice
Objective: To help students practice giving advice using modal verbs and expressions in speaking.
Materials: A set of cards with common problems or situations that require advice, such as “I want to lose weight” or “I have a job interview tomorrow”.
Procedure:
– Warm-up: Ask students to think of a problem or a situation that they need advice on and write it down on a piece of paper. Collect the papers and shuffle them. Then, distribute them randomly to the students. Have them read the problem or situation they got and think of some possible advice they would give.
– Presentation: Review the modal verbs and expressions that can be used to give advice, such as “should”, “could”, “might”, “why don’t you”, “have you tried”, etc. Give some examples of how to use them in sentences. Explain the difference in meaning and tone between them.
– Practice: Divide the students into pairs or small groups. Have them take turns picking a card from the set and reading the problem or situation aloud. Then, have them advise each other using the modal verbs and expressions they learned. Encourage them to use different ones and to explain their reasons for giving that advice.
– Feedback: Ask some pairs or groups to share their problems or situations and the advice they gave with the class. Comment on their use of language and give suggestions for improvement.
Check it Out.
Check out my other posts for more information on teaching Adults. This is the link to click on…
I also have a lot of other stuff you may find useful, so check out my site. www.vietnamesl.com
Final Thoughts.
Remember, every group of students is different. What works well with one group may not work as well with another. Be flexible and willing to adapt your teaching strategies as needed.
Don’t stick to your lesson plan and if you have to veer off in a different direction that is fine, The one thing I have learnt is teaching should be flexible to cater to your students’ needs. And the best thing to do is incorporate FUN. Do that and your students will want to learn English and love you forever as a great Teacher. 8-).
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
When I read the news I see a lot of people complaining about the cost of living. I read stories of people in England having to choose between heating their house or eating. I also see so many pictures of the homeless in America it makes me sad.
There is another option. Asian countries, and especially Vietnam are crying out for English teachers and I am going to explain what qualifications you need, how much (or little) it costs to live, and how much you can make…and save. Yes, you can easily save $1,000 a month and more if you are prepared to work hard.
Let’s Cut to the Chase.
Qualifications.
The qualifications you need to teach English in Vietnam are minimal. If you are really interested in teaching English legally in Vietnam the minimum requirements for most teaching jobs in Vietnam are:
– A passport from a native English-speaking country or a high level of English proficiency
– A university degree certificate in any field, preferably in education or a related subject
– A teaching certificate such as CELTA, TEFL, TESOL or equivalent
– A health check from a local hospital or clinic
– A landlord form or police registration to prove your address in Vietnam
– A clean criminal background check from your home country or the country where you have been living for the last six months
Some employers may have additional or different requirements depending on the type of institution, the level of students, and the curriculum. For example, some international schools may require a degree in education and several years of teaching experience. Some language centers may accept candidates without a degree or a teaching certificate if they have other relevant qualifications or skills.
To work legally in Vietnam, you will also need to obtain a work permit and a temporary residence card. These documents are usually processed by your employer once you have a job offer and a valid business visa. The process may take several weeks or months and require various fees and paperwork. If you get a job with a good school they should pay for this.
Not that I recommend it, but there are schools that will pay cash for anyone who can speak English without the above requirements. Also, you will find that some schools will pay for ad-hoc or part-time work and you can get paid after class. If you want to find out more about this, leave a message.
Pay Rates.
The average salary for teaching English in Vietnam in 2023 can range from **27 million VND ($1100)** to **51 million VND ($2200)** per month. Nearly a year after the pandemic, English centers and schools have gradually recovered financially and in revenue, so the average salary of expat teachers has also been raised. Rates are on the rise and it is a good time to come to Vietnam as an ESL teacher.
However, this is just a general range, and the actual salary you can earn may vary depending on the type of institution you work for. Here is a breakdown of the salary ranges for different types of teaching jobs in Vietnam :
– Public Schools: **1500$ – 2000$/ month**
– Private Language Schools: **1150$ – 1800$/ month**
– International Schools: **1900$ – 2300$/ month**
– Universities: **895$ – 2200$/ month**
– Private English Lessons: **15$ – 60$ /hour**
As you can see, there is a wide variation in the pay rates for ESL teachers in Vietnam, depending on the level of education, prestige, and location of the institution. Generally speaking, public schools pay less than private language centers, which pay less than international schools and universities.
However, public schools may offer more benefits, such as paid holidays, visa assistance, and accommodation allowance. Private language centers may offer more flexibility, such as part-time or freelance contracts, and more teaching hours.
International schools and universities may require higher qualifications, such as a master’s degree or a teaching license, but they also offer higher salaries and more professional development opportunities.
Another factor that affects your income as an ESL teacher in Vietnam is your location. The cost of living and the demand for English teachers vary across different regions and cities in Vietnam.
For example, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the two largest and most developed cities in Vietnam, where you can find more job opportunities and higher salaries. However, they are also more expensive to live in than smaller cities or rural areas. So consider your personal preferences and lifestyle when choosing where to teach in Vietnam.
Cost of Living.
Personally, I can live in Vietnam for less than $1,000 a month. However, I am quite frugal and don’t go out a lot. You can rent for about $200 a month for a room or small house in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh and you can live on $10.00 per day quite easily. But if you want to party every night then your costs will obviously go up as well.
Here is a link to a site that provides a comprehensive list of Vietnams costs. Vietnam costs. However, I believe they are a bit high.
What is it Like Teaching in Vietnam?
I have quite a few posts explaining both what it is like teaching in Vietnam and how to teach different levels of students. here is one link you may find useful or once again leave a comment and I will answer you directly.
If you are looking for a job here, I will also be able to help you if you are qualified or not. => LOOK HERE <=
Final Thoughts.
In conclusion, teaching English in Vietnam can be a lucrative and fulfilling career choice for ESL teachers who want to explore a new country and culture while making a positive impact on their students’ lives.
The pay rates for ESL teachers in Vietnam depend on many factors, but they are generally competitive and sufficient to cover your living expenses and save some money.
If you are interested in teaching English in Vietnam, make sure you do your research on the job market, prepare your qualifications and documents, and apply for the positions that suit your skills and goals.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Teaching ESL can be a rewarding but challenging career. You get to interact with students from different cultures and backgrounds, help them improve their language skills, and witness their progress. But it can also be stressful, exhausting, and demanding. How do you avoid burnout teaching ESL? Here are some tips that might help:
Tips for Sanity.
– Set realistic goals and expectations. Don’t try to do everything at once or expect perfection from yourself or your students. Focus on what you can control and celebrate small achievements. Some students are great, some not so much, but you are helping them even if they don’t know it.
– Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Eat well, sleep enough, exercise regularly, and find time to relax and recharge. You can’t teach well if you’re not feeling well. Try not to party too much. It tends to happen when you first arrive in a foreign country, especially Asia.
– Seek support and feedback. Connect with other ESL teachers, join online communities, attend workshops, or find a mentor. Share your challenges and successes, ask for advice, and learn from others’ experiences. Build a network of friends you can talk to about any problems at work. Personal problems will happen and having someone to talk to is a literal lifesaver.
– Be creative and flexible. Try new methods, materials, and activities in your lessons. Experiment with different ways of teaching and learning. Adapt to your students’ needs and interests. Keep things fresh and fun for yourself and your students. Learn new stuff, It makes class life more exciting and fun. Go into your class and focus on having fun and the students will warm to you immediately which will make your teaching easier.
– Remember your purpose and passion. Remind yourself why you chose to teach ESL and what you love about it. Think about the positive impact you have on your students lives and the difference you make in the world. You are helping others achieve their dreams and traveling the world at the same time. Not many get to do this, so revel in the joy.
If Things Get Bad. Do not hesitate to contact me or a professional if you are suffering. There are online services that provide help. You can use this link. I Want to Talk.
What are some fun ESL activities?
Here are some ideas that you can try in your classroom:
– Games: Games are a great way to motivate students, practice vocabulary, grammar, and skills, and have fun. You can use board games, card games, online games, or create your own games based on the topic or skill you want to teach.
– Songs: Songs are a wonderful way to expose students to authentic language, culture, and pronunciation. You can use songs to teach vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, or writing skills. You can also have students sing along, fill in the blanks, or write their own lyrics.
– Stories: Stories are a powerful way to engage students’ imagination, creativity, and emotions. You can use stories to teach reading, writing, speaking, or listening skills. You can also have students read aloud, act out, or write their own stories.
– Projects: Projects are a good way to integrate different skills, topics, and resources in a meaningful way. You can use projects to teach research, presentation, collaboration, or problem-solving skills. You can also have students work individually or in groups on topics that interest them. This takes a bit of time to set up and is better with more advanced students, however, the benefits are amazing. I have a lot of ideas on my website about this.
– Websites: There are a lot of websites that you can use for free that will help you in the classroom. Here is a link to some of them. Teaching Websites.
– My Website; I have a lot of stuff that can help you teach from young kids to adults if you take the time to check out my site. It is all free and I do not advertise. Yet. Lol. Here is the link to my website. MY WEBSITE.
Final Thoughts.
My Father and Mother were both teachers as well as my brother, so chalk flows through my veins. I have been teaching in Vietnam for over 15 years and now own 2 schools, so I know what I am talking about. Burnout is a thing we all have to cope with, and how we cope is what makes the difference.
Steve
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Here are 8 of my best digital tools that I use for teaching on line and in the classroom.
My Best 8 Digital Tools for Teaching English Online.
Teaching English online can be fun and rewarding, but it also requires some planning and preparation. You need to have the right tools to communicate with your students, create engaging materials, and provide feedback.
In this blog post, I will share with you some of the best digital tools for teaching English online that I have used and personally recommend.
There are free options for all of these tools which fits perfectly within my budget but does not provide me with any revenue.
If you see anything on your travels around my website that you think is cool, I would appreciate it if you purchase via me as so far I have kept this site ad free and would like to continue doing that.
Google Meet is a video conferencing platform that allows you to host live classes with your students. You can share your screen, use captions, chat, and record your sessions. You can also create breakout rooms for group activities and use polls and quizzes to check understanding. Google Meet is free for anyone with a Google account and works on any device.
Most people I know use Skype, but I have always found this to be easier and the free period during covid was 30 minutes longer than Skype. The quality is exceptional and I never had any complaints from my students. I still continue to use Google Meet for my personal life as well as my business and can not fault the service.
Google Docs is a word processor that lets you create and edit documents online. You can collaborate with your students in real-time, leave comments, and track changes. You can also use Google Docs to create assignments, quizzes, and feedback forms. Google Docs is part of Google Workspace, which also includes other tools like Google Slides, Google Sheets, and Google Forms.
I run Google Docs from my smartphone (As well as my laptop) and tie it into the books and lessons I am teaching on the day. With most of the tools being Google I find I have little to no problems. It is a no-brainer to use the whole set of Google tools to provide the best experience for your students and to make it easy for yourself.
Yes, there is a bit of learning to do to make sure everything runs seamlessly. But once you have done it a few times you will look like a master and your lessons will run as smoothly as silk.
Google Workspace is a suite of cloud-based applications that helps you manage your online teaching business. You can use Gmail to communicate with your students, Google Calendar to schedule your classes, Google Drive to store and share your files, and Google Classroom to organize your courses and assignments. Google Workspace is free for educators and students with a school email address.
Google Jamboard is a digital whiteboard that allows you to create interactive lessons with your students. You can draw, write, and add images, stickers, shapes, and text boxes. You can also import slides from Google Slides or PDF files. You can invite your students to join your jam session and collaborate with you on the same board. Google Jamboard is free for anyone with a Google account and works on any device.
Canva is a graphic design tool that helps you create beautiful and professional-looking materials for your online classes. You can use Canva to design slides, posters, flyers, worksheets, certificates, logos, and more. You can choose from thousands of templates or create your own from scratch. You can also access millions of images, icons, fonts, and colors. Canva is free for basic features and offers a premium plan for more advanced options.
I use this for so many things, from designing class brochures to templates for advertising on social media. How can this still be free and offer so much? I am embarrassed to the degree I feel like I must upgrade to a paid membership.
There is also a special education offer for teachers and schools. Canva Education…
ChatGPT is a chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to generate natural and engaging conversations in English. You can use ChatGPT to practice speaking and listening skills with your students or to provide them with extra practice outside of class. You can also customize ChatGPT to suit different levels, topics, and interests. ChatGPT is free for anyone to use and works on any device.
A,I is going to change so much of how things will be done, there is a steep learning curve in front of us all. My other website, which is called AITechWarriors will be helping people stay on top of what is happening in the field of A.I.
Speechnotes is a speech-to-text tool that converts your voice into text. You can use Speechnotes to dictate your notes, essays, emails, or blog posts. You can also use Speechnotes to transcribe audio or video recordings of your classes or interviews. Speechnotes is fast, accurate, and easy to use. Speechnotes is free for anyone to use and works on any device.
This is a great tool as you can use it to test your students’ pronunciation and vocabulary skills as well as provide obvious benefits for the teacher.
Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps you improve your grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and style. You can use Grammarly to check your writing for errors and suggestions on how to fix them. You can also use Grammarly to set goals for your writing based on your audience, tone, and purpose. Grammarly is free for basic features and offers a premium plan for more advanced options.
The basic version is so good I have never felt the need to upgrade. I am 100% happy with the format and what I can do with it. They have recently added an AI interface which I am playing with and it gives you 100 free “prompts” per month. Along with chatGPT and the other A.I tools, I doubt I will ever get to use the lot.
Quillbot is a paraphrasing tool that helps you rewrite any text in different ways. You can use Quillbot to avoid plagiarism, simplify complex sentences, or generate new ideas for your writing. You can also use Quillbot to change the tone or mood of your text based on different modes like formal, informal, creative, or humorous. Quillbot is free for up to 700 characters per paraphrase and offers a premium plan for unlimited paraphrasing.
This extension is permanently open on my browser and that shows you how often I use it. Being able to paraphrase something quickly is vital for my business, thus the reason I stare at it every day.
Final Thoughts.
These are my 8 favorite online tools for teaching English. There are many ways you can use them and, as is said, you are only limited by your imagination.
For example with “speechnotes” you could use it not just for translating from speech to text but you could use it for testing the vocabulary and pronunciation of your students. How well are they pronouncing that word? Are they stringing sentences together grammatically correctly?
With chatGPT, you can get your students to phrase questions about their favorite topics and see if the answer corresponds with what they thought.
So fire up the thinking cap and use the tools that we have on hand to make our classrooms a lot more fun. And if the above aren’t enough tools for you, here are a few more that I have reviewed and used in the past, and for most still do. Look at my post named “On-Line Teachers Tools to Make Life Easier”. It just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
Steve.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Picture Source: My Artwork, Night Cafe. A.I generated.
Why Are Our Schools Failing?
Amid allegations that our schools have turned into nothing more than veritable cookie cutters for half-baked executives of the future, there are instances of teachers striving for excellence.
Let us look at this question specifically, and also look at it in the light of ESL. So we will discuss the question directly as it stands and also look at it from a few different perspectives.
It doesn’t matter how long you have taught ESL, the question normally arises on a night out with a few teachers over a tipple or two. Are we really providing a service or are we perpetuating the cultural dominance of the U.S.A or England? I am going to play the devils advocate and throw the questions (and phrases) into the hypothetical mix, so you can think and answer at your leisure.
When English is taught as a second language, it can make English-speaking cultures more dominant and make local languages less important. This can lead to the loss of cultural diversity and fewer people speaking local languages.
Teaching English as a global language can make countries that already speak English more powerful in politics, economics, and culture. This can keep existing power imbalances in place and make it harder for other countries to become powerful.
When people learn English as a second language, they often learn about Western ideas and ways of thinking. This can make local knowledge and cultural differences less important or ignored.
Learning English very well can make people want to be more like English-speaking people and forget about their own language and culture. This can make unique cultural identities disappear.
Sometimes, programs that teach English in other countries don’t treat local teachers very well or give them bad working conditions. This can make things unfair and keep richer countries in control.
ESL, Changing Lives For The Better.
And here are the responses to advocate the opposing theory that ESL teaching is not ‘Cultural Imperialism” but is really “Socially Supportive”
Communication and opportunity: Learning English can improve your ability to communicate, provide you more access to educational and employment opportunities, and make it easier to collaborate globally, promoting cross-cultural understanding.
Individual empowerment: ESL instruction can give people more confidence by giving students the means to communicate clearly in a world that is becoming more interconnected and by enabling them to actively engage in global discussions.
Creating a bridge between cultures: Teaching ESL can serve as a bridge between many cultures, promoting understanding, empathy, and respect for various viewpoints.
Language preservation: When conducted properly, ESL instruction can coexist with the maintenance and resurgence of regional tongues and cultures, fostering multilingualism and cultural variety rather than eradicating it.
Choice among students: Students have autonomy when choosing ESL instruction, giving them the option of participating or not. In this instance, it might be viewed as a voluntary tool for personal empowerment and advancement as opposed to a cultural mandate.
Picture Source; My Artwork, Night Cafe. A.I generated.
Opportunities for Schools to Reshape the Future.
There are many parents, especially in the USA who believe the schooling system has lost its way. And I am not talking about E.S.L now, but the common core subjects in a normal public school. It feels like every time I go on to any social media outlet there is a rant against what is happening in the schools. And even though I will be focusing on the USA, I feel like it is a worldwide problem.
So what is happening in the schools in the USA at the moment? The “core curriculum” feels like it is being driven by big business that need workers that are willing to work for “next to nothing” and accept the corporate B.S.
I “Googled up” “Bill Gates” and public education and the headline that came up was “The Savior of Public Schools”. I am very pleased there was a question mark at the end of the headline.
The Savior of Public Schools.
Personalized learning seems to be the buzzword and it doesn’t look unreasonable. However, there are many points I would need to cover first. Not the least being, why have “trade classes” like metalwork and woodwork been removed from the curriculum? ( I am showing my age, but it worked for the students).
Schools used to have “body shops” that provided students who weren’t quite as academically gifted as some, the opportunity to learn a career in building cars and automotive repairs. Then they could step into this job straight after school and it worked.
And “Home Economics” used to be a thing, teaching sewing and cooking and it wasn’t just stereotypically females who enrolled into these classes.
Why were these courses dropped? In hindsight, it can be seen as a bad idea. Those students who weren’t motivated to sit in front of a computer all day were absorbed in learning a trade that they saw could make them money.
Now the same students sit in the computer classes and disrupt them because they are bored. And we blame ADHD and not the education system that is failing them.
Personalized Learning.
This is now what is being promoted as the new shift in teaching. In my opinion, I see nothing new in this and I am amazed we listen to somebody who never invented their own product and only donates to “future business opportunities”.
So this is what is described as “personalized learning”
“As part of the individualized learning paradigm, teachers supervise rather than lecture. They allow children individual work and group-based projects to learn as flexibly (and in as many contexts) as possible with the use of personal laptops and tablets.
Modern technology is expensive, therefore not many schools can afford to use the individualized learning approach. However, when districts do invest in it, the concept has been successful.
According to a report released last year, for instance, many of the students in 62 schools utilizing individualized instruction outperformed their peers in arithmetic and reading. Many people who had scored below average ended up above average”
Education is something that will set us free, and it is up to the individual teacher to make the most of what we have, to educate anyone who wishes to learn.
The best way to change the world is to change one person at a time. And by that I mean educate not indoctrinate.
This is by no means my normal type of post, however, I feel like it is something I have to say. Thanks for reading, I hope it gets you thinking. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.
Stephen.
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Storytelling
How to Make Grammar Fun.
You can view each of these various “landmarks” by swiping left to right across the interactive map. Among many other things, these subjects include the weather, travel, and family. Once you click on a topic, there are typically six to eight lessons within it.
In my opinion, though it will not make you a fluent speaker of the language you have chosen.
The four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are covered and while it is still a new app all the feedback has so far been very positive.
