The Attraction of Online Teaching: Why Educators Choose to Teach Foreign Languages Online

The world of education has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with online teaching emerging as a prominent avenue for educators. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards online instruction, the trend of teaching foreign languages online had already been on the rise. In this blog post, we'll delve into the motivations behind why educators choose to teach foreign languages online.

1. Earn Extra Income from Home**

One of the most common reasons individuals choose online teaching is the potential to earn extra income from the comfort of their homes. If you possess strong language skills and have a passion for teaching, the online teaching landscape offers a lucrative opportunity. Here's the beauty of it: you can maintain your current job or explore other career paths while working part-time as an online language teacher.

The flexibility of online teaching allows you to strike a balance between your primary job and your desire to share your language expertise with eager learners. Whether it's supplementing your income or transitioning to a full-time online teaching career, the financial incentives are undoubtedly appealing.

Online teaching isn't just a means to an end; it can also be a fulfilling career in itself, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on your students' language learning journeys.

2. To Travel While Teaching**

The allure of exploring new horizons while continuing to teach is a dream come true for many educators. Online teaching makes this dream a reality. With an internet connection, you can teach from virtually anywhere in the world. This flexibility has led adventurous educators to embark on journeys while imparting language skills to eager learners.

Imagine teaching English from a serene beach shack, an exciting foreign city, or a quaint rural town far removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. While this lifestyle choice may require some planning to ensure a stable internet connection, it offers a unique blend of work and adventure. I love doing this when I can. Whenever I had to back to Japan for work, I would tell my students learning Japanese that we would go on an “online field trip” to Japan. Giving them the ability to “bring” them along is an experience not just for myself but for my students.

Online teaching enables educators to experience different cultures, languages, and landscapes firsthand, enriching their own lives while facilitating the language learning of students from diverse backgrounds.

3. Gain Experience Before Teaching in a Classroom**

Teaching foreign languages online serves as an invaluable stepping stone for educators looking to enter the traditional classroom setting. It offers a platform to accumulate real teaching experience, build strong student-teacher relationships, and experiment with various teaching techniques.

Here's why gaining experience online is advantageous:

a. Resume Building:

Teaching online allows educators to populate their resumes with concrete teaching experience. Potential employers in traditional schools and language institutes value this firsthand experience and view it as a testament to an educator's commitment and adaptability.

b. Student Engagement:

Online teaching presents unique challenges and opportunities to engage with students across digital platforms. Educators learn to adapt their teaching methods to capture and maintain students' attention, a valuable skill that transcends the virtual classroom.

c. Experimentation:

The online environment provides a canvas for educators to experiment with diverse teaching strategies. You can fine-tune your teaching style, test innovative techniques, and refine your approach based on student feedback.

4. Confidence Building:

Teaching online boosts educators' confidence in their abilities. It instills the belief that they can navigate the educational landscape effectively, whether online or in a traditional classroom.

Teaching foreign languages online is not just a response to external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a deliberate choice made by educators driven by various motivations. Whether you're looking to supplement your income, combine work with travel, or gain valuable experience before venturing into a traditional classroom, online teaching offers a world of opportunities.

The online teaching landscape is a dynamic and rewarding domain that empowers educators to make a difference in the lives of language learners worldwide. So, whether you're a seasoned educator or aspiring to embark on an online teaching journey, the world of virtual classrooms awaits, promising both personal and professional growth in the realm of foreign language education.

In the comments below, what is your reason to teach online?

The Unique World of Adult Foreign Language Learners: Challenges and Solutions

Adult learners face a diverse set of challenges when they choose to venture into the realm of foreign language learning. The very fabric of adult learning is woven with threads of past experiences, emotions, responsibilities, and evolving cognitive capabilities. As educators, it is paramount to understand these facets and adapt our teaching methods accordingly.

The Emotional Landscape of Adult Learning

Before delving into the external and internal challenges, let's explore the emotional dimension of adult learning. Emotion stands at the core of the adult learning experience, influenced by accumulated life experiences. The joy of exploring new horizons, the anxiety of time management, the thrill of mastering new skills, the apprehension of being a student again, the pride in accomplishment, and the passion that fuels the journey - these emotions shape the adult learner's approach and attitude.

Recognizing the emotional underpinnings allows educators to form a deeper connection, fostering an environment where students feel understood and supported.

External Challenges: Outside Influences on the Adult Learner

1. Time Constraints: Adult learners juggle multiple responsibilities – work, familial duties, relationships. These commitments can stretch their time thin, potentially affecting study performance and motivation.

2. Technological Challenges: The digital age has woven technology into the learning fabric. Especially post-pandemic, the shift to e-learning has been prominent. For some adult learners, mastering these digital tools might be an additional hurdle, affecting their self-confidence and motivation.

3. Pressures and Expectations: Often, the decision to re-enter the education space isn't solely passion-driven. It could arise from work requirements or societal pressures, creating additional stress.

4. Financial Implications: Pursuing education often comes with financial responsibilities. Tuition fees and other associated costs can be daunting for adult learners, especially if they're self-financing.

5. Support Systems: The lack of proper guidance, especially in navigating technological tools, can leave adult learners feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

Internal Challenges: The Personal Battles

1. Adapting to the Learning Environment: Re-entering education can be like diving into a different world, especially with the technological advancements that have reshaped classrooms.

2. Self-efficacy and Belief: The journey of self-belief can be rocky. Doubts about their ability to learn, the societal stigma of being an 'adult student', and prior educational experiences can hinder their confidence.

3. Motivation and Drive: Adult learning is largely self-driven. If the material or course doesn't align with their interests or they don't perceive a direct benefit, sustaining motivation becomes a challenge.

4. Social Dynamics in Mixed Age Groups: Adult learners might find themselves amidst younger students, leading to potential feelings of isolation or out-of-place due to the generational divide.

5. Neuroplasticity: While adults are capable learners, the malleability of their brains differs from younger individuals. This means they might need more repetition and time to grasp new concepts.

Bridging the Gap: The Educator’s Role

Understanding these challenges is the first step. As educators, it's our duty to adapt, ensuring we provide an inclusive, supportive environment.

Micro-learning, or 'chunking', offers a promising approach. This method introduces knowledge in bite-sized, focused units, which can be especially effective for adult learners. It aids in preventing cognitive overload, offers flexibility, and promotes higher engagement.

Consider enrolling in a professional Language Teacher Training course to get equipped with innovative strategies and techniques tailored for adult foreign language teaching. Book your spot now and empower yourself to facilitate the adult learning journey better.

Adult foreign language learning is intricate, shaped by myriad internal and external factors. Recognizing these challenges and implementing tailored teaching methodologies can make a significant difference, paving the way for a fruitful learning experience.

Find Yourself Through Singing: How Auditions Bring Out Your Voice

When it comes to auditioning for acting and singing roles, there's a lot of pressure on performers to have the "right" sound. But this can be a slippery slope, as the desire to fit a certain mold can lead to performers distorting their own natural voice and style. We are going to explore why it's essential to stay true to yourself and your natural voice rather than trying to imitate others or adhere to certain expectations.

The Two Components of Your "Sound"

To understand why it's essential to stay true to your natural voice, it's important to first understand what comprises your "sound." There are two main components to your sound: your tone of voice and your style.

Your tone of voice is the unique sound that comes from your own natural speaking and singing voice. This is the sound that is uniquely yours, based on your specific vocal anatomy. Of course, good vocal training can help you to make the most of your voice and improve your technique, but it shouldn't ever make you sound like someone else. Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint, and trying to change it to fit a certain mold can do more harm than good.

The second component of your sound is your style. This refers to the techniques you use to create a specific sound for a particular style of music or character. For example, you might raise your larynx and increase compression for a "rock sound," or use your mix or belt for a more "modern musical theatre" sound. These stylistic choices should be used to enhance your natural voice, not to distort it. By combining your natural voice with your chosen style, you create your unique sound.

The Problem with Imitation

One of the biggest problems that performers encounter when auditioning is the temptation to imitate other singers or performers. Whether it's trying to sound like a popular pop star or attempting to replicate the sound of a famous Broadway actor, this approach can backfire.

When you try to imitate someone else's sound, you run the risk of losing the unique qualities of your own voice. Even if you're a talented mimic, you'll never be able to replicate the sound of someone else's voice perfectly. This can result in a forced or unnatural sound that doesn't truly represent your abilities.

Moreover, focusing too much on trying to imitate a certain sound can distract you from other important aspects of your audition, such as analyzing your acting situations, presenting a confident physical presence, and harnessing your best vocal technique. By trying too hard to fit into a certain mold, you risk missing out on opportunities to showcase your true strengths as a performer.

The Benefits of Staying True to Yourself

In contrast, when you focus on doing justice to the material in a stylistically appropriate way using your natural voice, you free yourself up to showcase your unique strengths as a performer. By staying true to yourself, you're able to present a confident and authentic version of yourself, which can make a strong impression on casting directors and other industry professionals.

Some performers who have minimal vocal training have been successful precisely because they focus on their natural voice and how it can best serve the material at hand. By prioritizing the value of the material and their own strengths as performers, they are able to create a powerful and memorable audition that stands out from the rest.

Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't strive to develop your skills and versatility as a performer. By all means, work on developing a belt or a rock mix if those techniques are appropriate for your style or the material you're performing. The key is to focus on developing these techniques in a way that enhances your natural voice rather than distorting it.

Learning and Memorizing Vocabulary in another language.

Learning vocabulary can be overwhelming. Vocabulary is indispensable to mastering any language and memorizing vocabulary can be daunting. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, the sheer number of words to learn can seem insurmountable. From nouns and verbs to adjectives and adverbs, each with its own unique meanings and usage, it's no wonder that many language learners find themselves feeling frustrated and discouraged along the way. But fear not! In this article, we will explore effective strategies and techniques that will help make learning vocabulary a more manageable task, allowing you to build a strong foundation in any language with confidence and ease.

One of the key components of language learning is building your vocabulary. Simply learning 1,000 words in a foreign language can get you far in understanding texts and communicating with people. This article will explore various methods to help you learn new words in a foreign language efficiently and effectively.

One of the key components of language learning is building your vocabulary. Learning 1,000 words in a foreign language can get you far in understanding texts and communicating with people. This article will explore various methods to help you learn new words in a foreign language efficiently and effectively.

Here are some steps to help you boost your foreign language vocabulary learning:

• Narrow it down The first step to effective learning is to identify what you want to focus on and set goals. Start with that if you have a strong interest in a particular subject. Perhaps you want to read about soccer or learn how to cook like a native chef. The most effective learners are motivated to study because they choose vocabulary based on their interests and needs. If you select words you don’t find useful, you’re much less likely to succeed in memorizing them and being able to use them in context. You should be as excited as possible about learning new words!

If you have a more general goal, like wanting to be able to communicate with people on an upcoming trip or read the news, it’s a good idea to focus on the words that are most commonly used in your target language.

• Figure out what the most common words are. This is a good tip for anyone, no matter your particular interests. The most common words will be the most common words in any speech or writing. They pop up everywhere!

Typically, there are four general categories of vocabulary words we can talk about in any language: High-frequency words, academic words, technical words, and low-frequency words.

You can generally ignore academic, technical, and low-frequency words, unless you have specific needs to learn them. Focus on high-frequency words to quickly improve your ability to communicate. These are the words people use most in everyday writing and speech, so learning them will take you in the right direction so you can start understanding what you hear and being able to respond appropriately.

An online search for the phrase “most common words in X language” can help you identify a list of high-frequency words to focus on, like this one in Spanish or this one in French. After identifying these words, try doing an online search to find articles and videos that use these words in context.

• Seek out opportunities to use new words. Learning any vocabulary involves two separate processes:

Being able to recognize a word when you hear or read it Being able to say or write a word It’s more difficult to produce a word than it is to recognize it, so we typically learn to recognize words in writing or speech before we’re able to produce them ourselves. It takes additional, concentrated practice to learn a word well enough to think of it and say or write it when we want to.

On an average day, you get much more practice hearing and reading words than speaking or writing, whether in your native language or a language you’re trying to learn and even if you’re super extroverted and talkative.

That’s why it’s important always to seek out more opportunities for productive language practice, such as writing emails to friends, writing in a personal journal, talking with others in a conversation club, or chatting with people who don’t speak your native language. These opportunities provide a chance to use new words and help you build your confidence in using the language.

If you’re shy or hesitant about practicing with others, start small by practicing on your own. Try speaking to yourself in the target language, or writing short stories or journal entries. You can also practice pronunciation by listening to native speakers and repeating after them. Many language learning apps and websites also offer speaking and writing exercises for practice.

• Another great way to practice is by finding a language exchange partner in person or online. You can find language exchange partners on websites and apps like Tandem, HelloTalk, and My Language Exchange. These platforms connect you with people who are also learning a language and are interested in practicing with a native speaker of your target language. You can practice speaking and writing with your language exchange partner, and they can help you with grammar and vocabulary.

• Seek out opportunities to use new words. Learning any vocabulary involves two separate processes:

Being able to recognize a word when you hear or read it Being able to say or write a word It’s more difficult to produce a word than it is to recognize it, so we typically learn to recognize words in writing or speech before we’re able to produce them ourselves. It takes additional, concentrated practice to learn a word well enough to think of it and say or write it when we want to.

On an average day, you get much more practice hearing and reading words than you do speaking or writing, whether in your native language or a language you’re trying to learn and even if you’re super extroverted and talkative.

That’s why it’s important always to seek out more opportunities for productive language practice, such as writing emails to friends, writing in a personal journal, talking with others in a conversation club or chatting with people who don’t speak your native language. These opportunities provide a chance to use new words and help you build your confidence in using the language.

If you’re shy or hesitant about practicing with others, start small by practicing on your own. Try speaking to yourself in the target language, or writing short stories or journal entries. You can also practice pronunciation by listening to native speakers and repeating after them. Many language learning apps and websites also offer speaking and writing exercises for practice.

Learning and memorizing vocabulary in another language can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. You can enhance your language skills and fluency by implementing the strategies discussed in this article, such as using flashcards, practicing regularly, and incorporating vocabulary into everyday activities. Remember to stay motivated and consistent in your efforts, as progress takes time. If you are looking for personalized guidance and support on your language-learning journey, book a lesson with me today. Together, we can work towards achieving your language learning goals and unlock new opportunities for personal growth and cultural understanding.