A lot of us are now using applications like Zoom and Skype for ESL teaching. Here are some tips for keeping your ESL classes effective and engaging when you're not in the same room as your students:
1. Location, location, location
To look your best, sit with a light source facing you, never behind you. Natural light from a window is best if possible. If you're working at night, using two light sources, for example a ceiling light and a desk lamp, can reduce ugly shadows.
Wear something that stands out from the space behind you. If you're not too proud of your wallpaper, Zoom will allow you to use a virtual background. You can choose from the ones provided or use an image of your own.
Remember that it'll work best with some kind of green screen so hang up a sheet behind you for the best effect.
2. Share your screen
Students will quickly get bored and you will quickly become exhausted if your class is based entirely on talking. Make the most of the technology you're using to share your screen and show students visual resources such as videos, worksheets or photos. In Zoom you can even share and annotate PDFs, meaning it's still possible to do fun, competitive activities like board games.
3. Break it up
If you have a larger class, break out rooms are ideal for keeping classes dynamic and engaging. Use this feature to divide the class into smaller groups for specific tasks, you can check in on each group as they work and send messages to everyone at once. This is ideal for conversation questions, pair work or games. Remember to set time limits and get feedback when the time is up.
4. Use headphones
A simple change that makes a big difference. You'll be able to hear your students more clearly and avoid distractions around you. If you can, use a headset with a microphone so you come through crystal clear. Resist doing Britney impressions. ("Oh baby baby.")
5. Keep control with names and the mute button
When you're not in the same room as your students visual signals that normally work, such as making eye contact when you want someone to speak, stop working. To make sure everyone knows who should be talking and when, you'll need to use their names. A lot. Fortunately their name is probably written on the screen next to them so you don't need to worry about forgetting anyone.
Using the mute feature will also help with classroom management. You might want to set up your application so that students are on mute by default from the beginning of the meeting, this will avoid distracting background noise from anyone who shows up late.
6. Polls and Quizzes
In Zoom you can use the polling feature to quiz your students. You'll need to spend some time preparing your polls but you can then reuse them with different groups.
Kahoot is a great alternative for games students can play with their phones.
7. Get your students involved
Have your students prepare and give mini presentations, plays, sketches etc. Ask them to make a video for homework that they can either show to the class or just to you: A tour of their house, a news report, an interview with a family member, a TV show, an explanation of some tricky grammar, a scene from a movie... The possibilities are endless!
Nice tips! Although I'm a French language student I'm going to pass this advice to my teacher. Merci!