Online Teaching Resources
Jit.si
If you're still keen on having lessons face-to-face, but video conferencing software is just too much, you can try Jitsi. This is a free open source software that allows its users to connect directly to a specialized link. It allows up to 50 participants to join the call for free. There is no extra software needed, however you do the option of downloading some software to make things run a bit smoother. It has all of the necessary capabilities as Skype like sharing your screen, a chat box, and even a raised hand feature that allows students to show you that they want answer. I highly recommend trying it out at least once.
Zoom
If you want a bit more of a traditional classroom approach, you can try Zoom. Zoom is a software that you can download for free. Aside from everything that Skype and Jitsi can do, it can also allow you to break students up into smaller groups. This is good if you still want to utilize pair work and group work for collaborative learning. The only downside is that students will have to download the software, add you as a contact, and the free version is limited to 100 users and 40 minutes. They do have some inexpensive options if that isn't enough for you.
Discord
If you want to work more one-on-one with students, then you can try out Discord. Discord is a free video and chat client specially designed with computer gamers in mind. The main difference between Skype and Discord is that Discord uses far less Internet bandwidth than Skype. So, Discord will allow you to do other things on the web that you might not have been able to do very efficiently with Skype.
Telegram
Telegram is another excellent resource for students and teachers. Recently, Telegram introduced the feature of polls. However, by setting your questions to quiz mode, you can create quizzes for your students (similar to a kahoot). I have found that this is a good resource if you are interested in gamification. I have even created my own channel that I use with all of my students to help them revise their knowledge or introduce concepts that I plan to use in class. You're welcome to join to see how it works.
Google Docs for Collaborative Writing
When it comes to collaborative writing, Google docs is a good resource in or outside of the classroom. Students can work on their essays in real time and can see what the other students are doing. You can start by creating the document for them and then monitoring much more effectively than in the classroom or you can leave it to them to do the task on their own and submit it when they have finished. Plus, you can make comments on certain portions of their work just like you can in Microsoft Word or Pages. All in all, this is a really useful resource.
Google Classroom
If you're looking for an free and virtual classroom, try giving Google classroom a try. I've already been using this with my business clients and private students for a few years now. Basically you create a class, add them to it (they must have a Google account), and then you can assign tasks for students to complete, make posts like you would in Facebook group, etc. Students can even share materials like pdfs or youtube videos that they found with the class.
Presentation Software
Here's a really typical basic tool for teachers - powerpoint (or Google Presentations). If you use video conferencing software like Jitsi, Zoom, or Skype, you can share your screen and basically give a presentation as if you were giving one in class. It works the same way. However, do have a few recommendations for all you teachers out there who want to avoid having your classes get too boring. Start with a warm up to get them thinking about the topic for today. Then introduce the concept of it, give them some controlled practice that they can share in a chat box, and then assign freer practice as homework. I'll explain more of that below.
Conversely, you can flip your classroom. Try sending the powerpoint to students beforehand and giving them a few short practice exercises. Then in class if they did well and don't have any questions, give them a project that they need to do based on the previous resources. This way, you can maximize your classroom time to allow students to practice in English or to think about their topics. It can be as simple as a writing task or even a role play that they can perform with other students.
Youtube
Youtube videos are another way of giving your students some resources that they can visit during and after class as needed. You can even film yourself, and add that personal touch. Or, you can use videos that have already been created. Khan Academy has just about everything under the sun if you're teaching CLIL. Or just make a quick search for your topic on youtube and you might be surprised at what comes up. I even created my own pronunciation course and put it on youtube. You can see it in the video below. It doesn't take much and you can make them as short (or long) as you want. You just need some video editing software.
Techniques and Activities for Online Teaching
Teaching English online can vary slightly than teaching in a classroom.
You can (in theory) have a normal class as you would have in a real classroom setting by using things like powerpoint to present your materials or Zoom for pair and group work. However, why not take this chance to change your general structure of the lesson. I would encourage flipping your classroom more instead; especially for learners with a higher level of English.
By flipping your classroom, students will come to realize very quickly that their learning and education will be much more reliant on them than on you. Start by assigning a reading task with some general questions. You can have them write short responses or elicit the answers when you start your class. Try giving them some controlled practice exercises as well to help them see if they are using the language correctly. If not, this can be addressed in class. Of course, have an exercise or two in class that you can have them work on just to make sure they understand.
Don't forget about drilling as well. By using resources like Telegram, you can send videos of yourself saying different words or sentences. Give students the assignment of sending you a video response back with them saying the words/phrases and you can give more personalized feedback as needed. Choral drilling isn't really going to help students much, although, it could still potentially.
E-tivities
Aside from these, there are many other "e-tivities" that students could take part in. For example, you could give them a grammar topic like "present perfect simple." Now students have to work together (using something like Google docs) in order to create their own quiz for the class. Then you, as a teacher, pick the best questions and give it to the whole class to do. Ideally, you could do this in an online class in the same class that they've created this quiz. However, in a real class, you might need to print them out for the following class, which makes it a bit more difficult to manage than in the online world.
Scavenger Hunt
When it comes to answering discussion questions, why not have them share pictures, videos, or even memes to explain how they feel about a particular topic. Under the multimedia, they could explain in a few sentences in English how this piece of multimedia relates to the question(s).
Real World in the Classroom
You could even create a task where they have to go somewhere or just video themselves speaking in English in some particular situation (for example, ordering food in a restaurant, cafe, etc.) or practice the dialogue with a classmate via Telegram, for example. The possibilities are quite endless.
Utilize Your Classroom Time
If you use a textbook, you probably have answers in your teacher's book. Students can do tasks in their books and you can send a picture with the answers for them to check themselves. This can save class time so that your online practice is more useful.
These are just a few (I hope) helpful tips that you can use to better utilize your online classroom time. Feel free to share any comments that you found helpful below or add your own useful tips. By sharing and supporting one another, we have the best chance of getting through this quarantine together with the best possible results.
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