Lifestyle

How to be Successful in Teaching English Online

Published

5 years ago

August 30, 2020

Teaching online is the new normal after the Coronavirus lockdown, whether you are a travelling TEFL teacher whose plans for 2020 have been thrown into disarray or, someone who has been keen to sidestep into online teaching for a number of reasons other than Covid.

Taking TEFL online requires an understanding of some considerations which just don’t apply to face to face in the classroom. These can make or break a successful online TEFL career. For many TEFL teachers, their focus is often all about how to deliver effective online content but there are other aspects which are less obvious and which are worth considering if you really want to make a success of your digital teaching career.

Be aware of the separate concept of digital literacy

The level of digital literacy is going to vary from student to student based mainly on their age and where they are in the world. You may find they are much less familiar with online tools or, in the alternative, have a knowledge that far exceeds your own. It is important not to pitch the digital input from the student too high or you will just ultimately end up in putting them off and losing customers. It can be easy to get wrapped up in techniques like asking pupils to annotate on the screen, add their own images or upload other things which may simply be beyond them.

Some researchers say that too much emphasis on technology can actually distract from the learning so maybe just introduce one tool and let that bed in before you move onto something else, Use a demonstration if you think that would help by sharing your screen or pre-recording a short clip.

Always understand what the learners are seeing on their devices; compatibility is important and you also need to make sure students know how to edit, annotate, share and save documents whether they are using a phone, tablet or laptop – never assume knowledge. If you are pairing students together in an online classroom setting, try and match students who are similarly placed from an IT perspective so that one of the two is not placed at a distinct disadvantage.

Engaging online learners

When you are teaching online, the usual classroom dynamic is missing, this is the time that students would normally chat to each other before and after lessons when they are physically in the same location. It can be really helpful to foster these social interactions so that the class can relate to one another – learning will be significantly enhanced as a result. Here are some helpful techniques:-

Use ice breakers and personalisation tasks to create an online presence for each student – these activities are often used at conferences and conventions where a group of people are introduced to each other for the first time. This can work equally well online and is probably even more essential to the separation imposed by remote learning
Be enthusiastic about your students and the different topics – it can be easy to let the screen become a barrier, work hard to create a real classroom atmosphere
Know your students and refer to elements of this knowledge during the tasks and activities on the curriculum – this fosters empathy and inclusiveness
Find out what is worrying or concerning your students and address their fears and suggestions positively
Give ongoing feedback which is continuous and regular
Make space in the sessions for humour and social interaction

Understanding the digital medium

For book purists, a Kindle or indeed any screen will never replace the real thing. Apart from the feel and scent of a new book, the concept of turning the pages and handling the book is totally different from reading the same words on a screen. We process the information differently which is why writing and presentation for the internet are completely different from how the same information may be presented in a book, magazine or hard copy document.

Blocks of text will blur the eyes of your students and switch them off. Keep sections of text and the length of sentences much shorter than you might otherwise. Introduce varied digital techniques but don’t introduce too many new things at once otherwise it can become muddled and confusing for the students.

Students’ progress needs to be checked more frequently

It is harder to read body language online than when you are sitting in a classroom so remember to check with your pupils how they feel they are progressing and learning. Concentration also dips faster online than in a real classroom so the structure of lessons may well have to alter to reflect this. Test learning through fun quizzes which are interactive and break up the teaching sessions.

Feedback methods may need to change to reflect the virtual classroom

The usual cues of body language from the physical classroom are absent in the virtual setting, indicators such as body language or simple gestures. Feedback in the digital setting can be done collectively and still name individual students or it can be done in private chat messages and groups. Use video feedback if you are marking assignments rather than necessarily a paper response; this personalises your lessons and invites learners to ask questions, building the dynamic of two-way trust.

Mix synchronous and asynchronous tasks

Synchronous tasks happen within the whole group with the teacher so essentially the online lesson situation whereas asynchronous tasks allow students to work at their own pace either on their own or within small study groups. Using asynchronous tasks allows learners more time to reflect and prepare. The concept of the flipped lesson can work really well for digital learning as this combines both synchronous and asynchronous tasks with learners completing individual activities before the synchronous lesson. This is particularly effective at managing a broad span of learning abilities without some people feeling they are floundering because they lack understanding and speed of learning.

Teaching online successfully involves a holistic understanding of how people learn in the digital environment and the unique challenges and also benefits which this medium presents. Teaching in the virtual world can bring new and fresh techniques to the online classroom and introduce teachers to innovative new tools which they can make use of in a physical classroom as well as online.

Lifestyle

The Future of Education Through Patricia Vlad’s Eyes

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Michelle Langton

The traditional systems that once defined learning, rigid curricula, standardized testing, and a narrow focus on academic performance, are increasingly being questioned. And why is that?

Starting in the 1880s, thinkers like John Dewey advocated for a shift in teaching methods, leading to the rise of progressive education. Unlike traditional models that emphasize rote learning and job preparation, progressive education puts students at the center of the learning experience. Changemakers like Patricia Vlad also believe that hands-on, experiential learning is the key to deeper understanding. This approach prioritizes critical thinking, curiosity, and personal passions, encouraging students to become lifelong learners who actively engage with new ideas and problem-solving. Schools and parents that embrace this model focus not just on what students need to know but on how they can continue to grow and adapt throughout their lives.

As the world changes, so do the skills, knowledge, and adaptability students need to succeed. The future of education is about personalization, inclusivity, emotional intelligence, and meaningful learning experiences.

With years of global teaching experience, Patricia has seen firsthand how different education systems approach learning. She believes that the future of education must embrace neuroscience, technology, and self-awareness to create a system that is not just efficient but also empowering for students.

“Education should be about more than just passing tests. It should equip students with the skills to navigate life, understand their strengths, and feel empowered in their learning journey,” Patricia emphasizes.

The Future Belongs to the Emotionally Intelligent

Unlike technical skills that may become obsolete with automation, EI – our ability to understand and manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate challenges, remains uniquely human. It plays a crucial role in self-awareness, resilience, effective communication, helping individuals excel in both personal and professional life.

When it comes to EQ, think of it like this: Kids with strong emotional intelligence are better at handling stress, resolving conflicts, and overcoming challenges. Studies suggest that EQ is a stronger predictor of long-term success than IQ. And let’s be real, no matter how advanced AI gets, it will never replace the depth and impact of human connection.

How LevelUp Cultivates Emotional Intelligence Through Patricia’s Coaching

1. Learning Will Be Personalized and Strength-Based

Instead of forcing students to fit into a system, education will be tailored to each child’s learning style, strengths, and interests. Neuroscience-backed methods – such as learning based on attention spans, emotional regulation, and brain development research – will be used to create adaptive learning environments, allowing students to progress at their own pace.

Through tools like LevelUp, which incorporates the Big Five Personality Model, teachers and parents will have a better understanding of a child’s cognitive profile, enabling them to offer more personalized support.

2. Emotional Intelligence Will Be a Core Part of Learning

The future classroom won’t just cover maths, science, history, or even language – it will also focus on self-awareness, empathy, and social skills. As research shows language doesn’t just communicate thought; it actively shapes it. The intentional use of language can influence how the brain processes emotion, memory, and social connection – making it a powerful tool for developing emotional intelligence.

LevelUp integrates EI into its framework, ensuring students not only understand themselves better but also build confidence, manage stress, and develop strong interpersonal skills.

3. Education Will Be More Interdisciplinary

The future of learning will move away from isolated subjects and toward interdisciplinary education, where concepts from different fields are connected and applied to real-world problems.

For example, students might blend neuroscience with psychology to understand learning processes or combine technology and art to develop creative solutions.

4. Technology Will Support, Not Supplant Human Connection

In the classroom of the future, meaningful engagement between students and teachers will remain at the heart of learning. Peer collaboration, hands-on projects, and real-time feedback from teachers will continue to be irreplaceable elements of education.

Technology will play a supporting role enhancing, rather than dominating, the learning process.

Whether through gamified modules, virtual simulation, or adaptive platforms, tools like LevelUp will be used intentionally to deepen understanding and personalize feedback, always in service of human connection, not as a substitute for it.

5. Schools, Parents, and Students Will Work Together

Education won’t be confined to the classroom. Parents will play a bigger role in guiding their children’s learning, using tools like LevelUp to track progress, support emotional development, and encourage curiosity at home.

By strengthening the parent-child-teacher connection, education will become a team effort, ensuring every student receives the support they need to reach their full potential.

A Future Built on Empowerment

By combining neuroscience, technology, and emotional intelligence, Patricia is helping to reshape education into something that prepares students not just for exams, but for life itself.

A truly effective education system values each student’s creativity and passions—not just their ability to recall information. Instead of just delivering information and expecting rote memorization for test scores, teachers encourage active, hands-on learning through projects, experiments, and peer collaboration. This approach allows students to explore topics that genuinely interest them, making learning more engaging, meaningful, and personal.

The LevelUp platform, developed under Patricia’s leadership, is contributing to a growing shift toward education that is rooted in self-awareness and real-world readiness. Additionally, emotional intelligence is a core part of learning, not an afterthought.

One story that sticks with Patricia is that of a student named Ethan, who had always been labelled “distracted” in class. His teachers described him as bright but inconsistent, often zoning out or fidgeting during lessons. When his LevelUp profile revealed high reactivity and strong openness, a new picture emerged: Ethan wasn’t disengaged—he was overwhelmed by too much information at once and thrived when topics were explored through hands-on, creative activities.

With this insight, his teacher began breaking tasks into smaller steps and introducing art and building projects tied to the curriculum. For the first time, Ethan started raising his hand during class and even stayed back after school to show his work. “We’d been trying to ‘fix’ him when all we needed was to understand him,” his teacher later shared.

It was a small shift, but for Ethan, it changed everything.