Teaching ESL online has its challenges but one that I find particularly daunting is preparing for that first lesson. Your first lesson makes a big impression on your students, establishes your teaching style, and sets the tone for the year.
The majority of online ESL lessons are one-on-one and many online ESL companies require you to do a trial lesson for free. This is how you build your student base. The lessons are typically between 25 and 50 minutes, and during this time you will have to assess the student’s level and provide them with informative feedback as well as engage them and make them want to come back. The dynamics of teaching English online are very different from the classroom. It’s all a matter of knowing what obstacles you face on day one and preparing for them accordingly.
By Elizabeth Sawatzky – OnTESOL Graduate 2020.
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1- Warm Up/Ice Breaker
You don’t want your first online ESL lesson to be too serious or stressful. This may be the first online lesson ever for your student and they have no idea what to expect. Unlike the classroom, one-on-one students can’t sit in the back and keep their head tucked in a book. Ice breakers and warmups are great ways to get the student (and yourself) to relax and start talking.
A good introduction can make a student feel more at ease. I always ask 3 questions right off the bat: What’s your name? Where do you live? And, why are you taking English lessons? (Work, travel, etc) Along with introductions, you can also give your students the chance to share a bit about their culture, and I find they are always eager to ask about yours.
2 – Assess Your Student Level
Your first online ESL lesson with a student is your chance to gauge the four basic English competencies: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. This is how you learn to tailor the lesson to the student. 25 minutes, even an hour isn’t much time, so you really have to plan ahead.
Speaking is easy, you’re doing that for the entire lesson. For assessing listening and writing skills in the first lesson, one suggestion is to have your student take notes while you tell them about yourself and then ask them to repeat back the details at the end of the lesson.
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3- Discuss Goals for Future ESL Lessons
This is also a good time to ask your what they expect from the lessons. I always ask this question and I find that the answers seem to fall into a few categories:
- They are learning for work. A lot of companies that have subsidiaries in English-speaking countries provide employees with online English lessons…in some cases it’s mandatory.
- Applying for an MBA. I have many MBA students that have to pass an IELTS, TOEIC, or TESOL to be accepted to an MBA program.
- Job interview. Sometimes a student has to prepare for a job interview overseas and they need to practice. You could have them fill out a questionnaire or make a list of their expectations.
- Self-improvement or travel. Some people like to learn a new language when they are planning a trip or as a hobby.
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4- Have a Plan B
When you feel your online lesson is dragging or you are losing the student’s interest, you should always have a range of backup activities. Since you don’t know what to expect, things can go south real fast, you have to be able to adapt quickly.
Conversely, the material you have may be too advanced and the student might be overwhelmed so you may have to tone it down a notch. You should have what I call a ‘filler’ up your sleeve at all times. This is for when there are lulls in the lesson, things suddenly take a wrong turn or you have time left over at the end of the lesson. These can be jokes, games, or interesting conversation topics.
5- Layout Your Rules and Expectations
Don’t be afraid to let the students know what is expected of them. Your first lesson is the perfect time to go over what you want out of your students, but make sure to also tell them what you plan to do for them.
You can also take this time to assess their strengths and weaknesses are with regards to learning the language. Take the opportunity to walk through the ESL textbook with them. Talk about the specific skills covered in each chapter and be sure to mention any supplemental materials like CDs, phrasebooks, verb charts, and glossaries that are in the back of the book.
6- Make Yourself Accessible
Before you end your first ESL lesson, it is very important to let your students know that you are invested in their success. By doing being accessible and having a flexible schedule you will have a greater chance of retaining the student.
You can share your contact information with them, but most online teaching sites keep that information confidential. Most sites will have a mailbox, or you can have all your students follow you and send them group messages.
7- Do a Final Check of Equipment and Workspace
Avoid embarrassing moments by double-checking that all of your equipment is functioning properly. With everything you have to deal with in a first lesson, the last thing you need is an equipment failure.
Do a quick test of your internet speed (www.speedtest.com), check your lighting, and do a microphone test. Make sure your notes are in order and finally take a quick look in the mirror, press your shirt collar and make sure you don’t have any broccoli stuck in your teeth from lunch.
Just Relax and You Will Do Fine!
Your first ESL lesson should be short and simple. If you treat it like a meet and greet/housekeeping lesson and not jump right into the texts, you will be more likely to have a successful lesson.
You want your students to be excited about learning with you, not overwhelmed and scared to death. Relax, breathe, and have a great first lesson!
