Confidence

People like to ask, “Are you confident” or “Do you have confidence?” For many of us, this is not an easy question to answer. By definition, confidence is to feel certain about something. However, we can have this feeling in people and within ourselves. When learning a new language, it is not always easy to feel confident. For ESL students, confidence can be a challenge when learning English for the first time. So, how can students feel confident to learn English? Here are some tips:

·         Practice and repeat: For many students this is not always fun, but it is necessary to practice your English. The more you practice, the better you will be and the more confident you will feel.

·         Think positive: Try your best not to feel discouraged. Learning any new language is hard, but if you think positive, it will give you the confidence to try.

·         Talk about it: Talking about your experience learning English to someone can be helpful. Friends, family, or classmates can give you feedback about your English. If you receive positive feedback, it will make you feel good. When you feel good, you will continue to try your best.

·         Try your best: Do not worry if your English is not perfect. Learning English takes time. When you try your best, you do your best. When you keep trying, you will do well and that will boost your confidence.

Is teacher training necessary?

I have conducted teacher trainings for new teachers and volunteers who wanted to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for an adult literacy program. When asked to do a teacher training, I felt honored since I wasn’t an experienced ESL teacher. I was in my first year of teaching English classes, and didn’t feel qualified to prepare new teachers and volunteers in classroom management, lesson planning, and understanding students’ learning needs. However, I decided to take the opportunity to try and it’s been part of my career ever since. A former colleague asked me, “Is teacher training necessary?” I said yes without thinking about the question. I just thought teacher training was part of being a teacher. I learned over time that training for teachers isn’t always accessible or offered. It depends on the school or ESL program. There could be many reasons for teachers not trained to teach ESL, but I knew the need was greater than the challenge.

Teachers should be trained to know how to teach. It doesn’t matter the subject. Having a sense of how to teach, how to lesson plan, and how to communicate with students are very important. My training was through attending workshops and observing experienced teachers. This can be helpful; it was for me. However, what happens when it’s time for you to teach? I was not ready for that part. My first time teaching English to a class of 35 adult students were both scary and difficult. I froze. I even forgot how to introduce myself, because I focused on all the pairs of eyes staring at me. When I finally said, “Hello my name is…” a student interrupted me, “Where is our teacher?!” I apologized and asked who their teacher was. One student said, “We don’t want you, we want our other teacher!” The other teacher they were referring to was a volunteer who recently left the ESL program. How do you respond to students who are questioning you about something you don’t know and are angry? Despite my stomach turning upside down, I managed to introduce myself and explain why I was their new teacher. It took a while for the students to adjust to me and my teaching style (or lack of), but once they did, everything became easier.

I didn’t remember the workshops or my observations from experienced teachers. I had to think on my feet and go with the flow. I quickly learned that being able to communicate well, think outside the box, and a smile can make all the difference. Teacher training is necessary, but one shouldn’t only rely on that to be a good teacher. A good teacher is one who can incorporate what they learn and bring their personality into the classroom. Communication is key. Without it, it will be difficult to reach your students. Teacher training can help in how to plan for a lesson, and how to approach it during class. It can also help in how to manage students’ behaviors, personality traits (you can’t change this but can find a balance), and learning abilities.

In my teacher trainings, I always encourage new teachers and volunteers to be themselves. When you are yourself that is half the battle. You can work better when you are comfortable with yourself, and students will see that and go with your flow. As a result, you will learn how your students learn. As the teacher, you will be able to prepare lessons to help students learn, and the approach you will need to take to meet their needs.

Gaining trust from your online ESL students

So, how do you get online English students to trust you? This is not an easy task. To gain trust in anyone comes with patience, a willingness to show your true intentions, and by being consistent in your purpose to teach. In the online world, this is a challenge because there are millions of people saying and doing the same thing. How can students trust Teacher 1 versus Teacher 2? Majority of us online teachers have a website, a social media presence, and are offering something that will benefit our students, such as an e-book or video training series. Whether an online teacher is offering a service or a product, it is usually the same gimmick, come to me and I will help you learn English. However, to a student that sounds like, OK, sounds good but I don’t know you. How do I know you are who you say you are?

As a new online English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, I am still trying to figure out the how in gaining students’ trust. How does any online English teacher stand out from the crowd? I have seen many websites, offers, and products that looks interesting, but it’s the same pattern…come to me and I will help you learn English. Some go as far as saying they can guarantee English fluency within a short amount of time. In my opinion, I think that’s bogus. It takes time to gain fluency in any language, and if not practiced regularly it is difficult to achieve this goal. I prefer to be honest.

I believe to gain trust from your online English students is by being yourself. Don’t be a copycat and mimic the same sales pitch as other teachers. Be unique. I work with adult students and one of the things they like is transparency. They don’t like to be treated as babies. They want teachers who take teaching English seriously, and are honest about their intentions. You don’t have to be the best teacher, but an honest teacher have a better chance to be successful than a short-lived gimmick.

Having a purpose for wanting to teach is important. That purpose should communicate to students through your website, videos, advertisements, or on social media. Students will appreciate this, and will eventually feel comfortable enough to listen to what you have to say. Once you meet your new students, you can show them the kind of teacher you are, the lessons you are offering, and the value behind your English service or product. This may not gain their trust right away, but it’s a good start. When students trust their teacher, they are more willing to learn from that teacher. Once they see the value in your offer, see your personality and your intentions, students will feel comfortable to give you (your product or service) a try.

Online Learning IS Helpful and CAN Improve Students’ English Ability

“Online learning is not real learning. It’s just an easy way out.” I have heard this statement throughout my teaching career. To many people, online learning or teaching isn’t considered “real,” but instead, “an easy way out.” Many people even question whether learning English online is effective or just a way to make quick money. I wondered why some people would feel this way. Is it because the World Wide Web is easily accessible? Is it because we can find any, if not all the answers to our questions on Google? Or, is it an easy way of learning? These are good questions with many answers. I will attempt to answer them…from my opinion and personal experience with both online learning and teaching.

It is true that the World Wide Web also known as the Internet is easy access to information. We don’t necessarily have to go to a classroom to learn something new. Thanks to search engines like Google, we can find information at our fingertips. I consider Google my companion, because I am able to find what I’m looking for at any time. However, is it just about searching for information? Does Google help us learn or teach? Online learning is just learning something online. Seems simple enough, but there is still much debate whether or not online learning is actual learning. Many even question its authenticity. I beg to differ.

From my experience, online learning is another form of learning. It is taking the traditional form of lessons and bringing it to the computer screen at the student’s convenience. You still have to read, comprehend, and study the material presented. This was the case when I completed two undergraduate programs online (I have three degrees total). Online teaching is just as challenging as teaching in a classroom. In general, a teacher still has to lesson plan, gather materials for the lesson, and know how to present it to his/her students. In the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom, teaching or learning English is just as challenging. Students are still shy about learning a new language. They don’t feel comfortable making mistakes, or speaking to a native English speaker. Teachers have to become comfortable talking through a webcam or using software applications such as Skype or Google Hangouts. The task is the same, trying to teach a language to a learner who doesn’t speak the same language as you.

Learning English online is helpful to students, because it gives the student more freedom in how he wants to learn and can focus on specific parts of the language. For example, I had a student who wanted to prepare for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. He was an intermediate level student from Iran. His spoken language was good, but he needed more practice on how to respond to test questions. We reviewed the speaking parts of the IELTS practice test, and discussed new vocabulary. We did this through Skype, where I shared my screen (showing the practice test questions and audios) with him as we practiced. This student felt happy he was able to practice English at a convenient time (based on time difference between us), and focus on his English learning needs. I felt satisfied that I could help him with the use of Skype, the internet, and a webcam. I was able to implement my lesson without any disruption. Through practice and dedication, students can learn English online. Through preparation and interest, teacher can help their students learn online. It is a partnership between the teacher and student, how each person approaches the lesson, and showing interest in the process. In my opinion, this helps the online learning process become less stressful and more productive. Learning online is NOT an easy way out, but a CONVENIENT way of learning, especially when it comes to learning English. The possibilities are endless.

Welcome to Motivation ESL

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to my new and improved blog, Motivation ESL. On this blog, I will be sharing ways on how both English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers and students can stay motivated in learning and teaching English. As I love to tell my students, TRY YOUR BEST, because when you try your best you do your best! :)