how to choose an online language teacher
Congratulations!! You have decided to take online language lessons! And there are thousands of online teachers who can help you learn dozens of languages. But, so many of them look so great…How do I choose?
It’s certainly possible to schedule an introductory lesson with a teacher only knowing, “I want to learn more of a language” and “this teacher looks great.” And you might be lucky and find the perfect teacher for you! The truth is, however, that the more time you put into thinking about your needs, goals and preferences, the more likely you are to find a teacher that is right for you. In fact, if you take time with this decision and follow the steps below, it will benefit your overall language learning - no matter who your teacher is. You will be better able to communicate to any teacher what you want, and you will be more able to evaluate progress towards your goal.
In this article we will discuss how to decide what kind of teacher your want, how to look for them, and what kinds of questions you should ask in an introductory lesson.
Step One: Understand what it means to be an adult learner
Being an adult learner is very different from being in school when you were younger. Understanding this difference can help you get the most out of your online lessons. Being an adult learner you can be in charge of your learning. This means that you can choose what you learn, how much you study, and how you want to learn. This means you have freedom. And you also have responsibility.
A teacher can’t use a magic wand and make you fluent. You are the one that has to do the work. Of course a good teacher can really help you progress! But unlike when you were younger, your individual needs, goals and preferences shape the content of your learning. Knowing them and communicating them is key to achieving what you want.
Secondly, you have other responsibilities and obligations. How much can you put into your language study? Take a realistic look at what you want to learn, how much time you can put into it what what your motivation is. Understanding this will help you understand your expectations and is background for the next step.
Step Two: Assess your needs, goals and preferences
What are your needs? Try to be as specific as you can. Instead of “I need to improve” think “I need to be able to have confident conversations with native speakers” or “I need to make presentations, send emails and write manuals in my target language” Write down everything you can think of.
How can a teacher help you meet those needs? An adult learner knows that a teacher is a part of a larger learning plan which has many parts. So how can a teacher help? For example “a teacher can help me with my pronunciation and correct my speaking mistakes. A teacher can help me write reports with correct grammar. A teacher can help me review the grammar I have forgotten”
With this in mind, what knowledge and skill do I want in a teacher? Look at everything you have written so far. What skills or knowledge should a teacher have to do the things you want? You probably want them to have a training in teaching English. Are there other industry specific needs you have? Specific skill areas they should have training or experience in?
What do I know about myself as a learner? Do you need motivation? Do you prefer to learn by listening? Or are you someone who likes to analyze and compare? What kind of learning situations have worked for you in the past?
What are my other preferences? Is there an accent which is important to you? Do you want a teacher of a particular gender or age? After you write down these things you might want to take a minute and ask yourself why each of these things is important? Sometimes our preferences can change when we think more deeply about them.
What is my practical situation? What times can I take classes? How much can I pay?
Step Three: Make a profile of your ideal teacher
This can be almost like a job description. For example:
My ideal teacher: Is trained to teach English, has a British accent, has experience teaching adults, can help me with pronunciation, has helped students make presentations, is patient, will help motivate me and is someone I enjoy talking to.
Step Four: Look through teacher profiles and choose some that you like
Now that you have a clear idea of what you want, you can start looking at teacher profiles and picking out those that have the right kind of training, experience or personality. You will want to filter by lesson time and possibly price. In reading profiles look for: the teacher’s training and experience, reviews that mention the areas you are looking for, and a video which gives you a good feeling about that teacher. Make a list of four or five and then take your top pick and schedule a half an hour lesson.
Step Five: Interview a teacher
When you meet with a teacher, tell them clearly what your needs are, and see what they say. For example, “I need to make presentations at work about new products. How would you help me with that?” If you have questions about their background or experience, ask them about it. “Have you helped many students with presentations? What kind of methods have you used?” You can also ask them, “what is a typical lesson like?” or “How would you help someone in my situation?” You might want also to notice other things; Do I feel comfortable with this person? Do I feel like they understand my situation?Are they patient? Can I understand their language? Do I feel like I would have things to talk about with this person?
If the answer is yes to these questions, congratulations - you have your teacher! ! If you have doubts, go back to your list and choose another to interview.
Step Six: Evaluate your teacher and classes after some time
As you start and progress in your studies with your teacher, it is good to keep your needs assessment and job description. After some time - perhaps a few months - use it to evaluate how things are going. Are you moving towards your goal? Do you feel like your teacher is using methods and giving you content that you are happy with?
If not, don’t be afraid to talk to your teacher about it. You can always say something like, “You know, I’m wondering if we could do…..” or “I’d like to spend more time in our lessons doing….” or “I don’t feel like I’m achieving my goal of _____. Is there something different we could try?”
In conclusion
I hope you can see the benefits of spending time with your decision to choose a teacher. It will benefit your language learning as a whole. If you have any ideas for something I’ve left out or experiences you've had picking a teacher, I would love to hear from you - please leave a comment below!
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