Here is another article from Andrea Giordano of ESLBasics.com.
“What did you say?”
“Teacher, I can’t understand you.”
“You’re on mute.”
If you have ever heard your students say something like that, you know how frustrating online teaching (and learning) can be. We are all online teachers now, whether that’s what we asked for. For some, it’s an exciting opportunity to master new technology. For others, it’s a fear-inducing nightmare that turns a passion into a terror.
Whether you are new to online teaching, or a seasoned veteran like me, there are some skills all of us could employ to speak more clearly to our online English learners.
Those with limited English proficiency face many challenges when looking to study in a synchronous classroom on Zoom, Adobe Connect, or Webex Training Center. Not only are they learning new technology, but the audio can make it even more difficult to understand what’s going on.
When we are face-to-face, it’s easier for English learners to understand us, but when we are in a virtual meeting, there are some things we need to do to make sure those learners can understand us, and we can understand them.
Here are my top 5 tips to help English teachers and learners understand each other in the online classroom:
#1 – USE A GOOD MICROPHONE.
Your headphones will not work in this scenario. If you want to give your students the best opportunity to understand what you’re saying, use a professional microphone, like the Yeti Blue. Using a good microphone will make a huge difference in your students’ ability to hear and understand you