Studying English online will be very different from studying in a classroom. You should prepare yourself and make good study habits so that you maximize your online learning experience. Your teacher is there to help you, and there are many resources available to use outside of your lessons.
1. Find a quiet space, and focus your attention during your lessons
It’s easy to be distracted by housework or your mobile phone, but try to dedicate your learning time to focus on the teacher and the lesson topic. Sitting at a desk, and using headphones for listening exercises are also great ways of helping you stay focussed on your English lessons.
2. Speak up! And feel free to ask questions
Speaking exercises are the perfect opportunity to practice your English, so try to give nice, long answers with lots of detail. You should try to use the grammar or vocabulary you have been studying as well!
Don’t be afraid to take advantage of this time with your teacher. Ask them questions, ask them to correct you or repeat things, and don’t be shy if you don’t understand something. Your English teacher is there to help you!
3. Do your homework!
Your online English teacher might not always give you homework, but when they do, you should use the opportunity to practice what you have learned, and check your learning progress. If there’s something you don’t understand, make sure to ask questions in the following lesson.
4. Use other online resources
In addition to following your online English lessons via Zoom, you can access many, many other materials online for your own private study. Have a look on YouTube for English language study tips, or on the British Council website for exercises and articles to read according to your level. You could even watch a film or TV program in English using subtitles to help you understand.
5. Focus on your goals
Remember your English language learning goals, and try to apply them when you are learning, to help keep the lessons memorable and effective. If you’re learning English for academic purposes such as taking an English language exam for university, try to think of how a grammar point you’re studying will come in handy when working on a writing task. Alternatively, if you’re studying English online to help build your confidence when you travel abroad, think of what words and phrases will be most useful when you are in these kinds of situations. The more personalized your learning journey is, the more likely you are to remember and retain the information and be able to apply it later.
Laura Mould
Online English Teacher