Teaching and Learning English via Skype

Hello again!

Following up on my talk last Friday – October 19 – at Disal, here’s a few quick ideas on how to teach English via Skype, either as a part of your course or as the sole medium of your classes.

In this first part, I’ll begin by covering the basics: what Skype is, what you need to teach classes on Skype, and two different ways of using Skype for language teaching (and learning):

► Skype is a telephony service provider which offers free calling between subscribers. It also enables file transfers, texting, video chat and video conferencing.
► To get Skype, go to www.skype.com, create an account and download the software for free.

In order to teach via Skype successfully, you’ll need:

► Good broadband Internet connection (at least 2 MB). 3G does NOT work!
► A computer (iPad, iPhone, Android phone or any other gadget which accesses the Internet).
► A (good) headphone is highly recommended as it greatly reduces noise and makes voice quality clearer.
► A (n optional) camera.
► A scanner.
► A quiet place to work from.

Just to clarify a few points on the list:

► A camera is optional for you can easily rely solely on voice for interacting with your students. Also, in some specific cases, a student may not have a camera or a connection that supports video conferencing. In any case, having a camera and being able to see (and be seen by) your student(s) definitely makes the whole experience even more similar to a face-to-face class.
► A scanner is important for it allows you to scan and email materials to students (especially when you are teaching the course exclusively via the Internet), as well as the exchange of homework and any other materials which need correction/feedback between you and your students.

That all being said, let’s then make a clear distinction between using Skype as an add-on to our face-to-face courses and courses which take place online only.

Skype “moments” as part of your course:

There are many interesting uses to which you can put Skype to boost your courses. A few of these are:

► You can give students extra speaking practice online, individually or in groups. For instance, imagine you have just worked on occupations, so you can schedule a Skype conference with your students in which you’ll play Twenty Questions for 15 to 20 minutes. These extra speaking sessions can take place whenever you think they’ll benefit from it or, if you (and the students) have the time, weekly or twice a month.
► Tell your students you’ll be online at (a) specific time(s) during the week in case they have questions, need guidance etc. If a student misses a class, they can also talk to you via Skype to check what was done on that day, if there’s any homework etc.
► Bring speakers to your class via Skype. You can videoconference with a fellow teacher, a friend who lives abroad, a classmate who’s traveling and the like during your classes. Students can interact with this guest, ask questions, or simply listen to a short talk on a class-related topic, and therefore have exposure to different accents and speakers during class time.

Teaching courses via Skype:

The most important thing to bear in mind when thinking of teaching courses via Skype – when all the interaction between you and your student(s) will be done virtually – is that a Skype class is not much different from a face-to-face class in any fundamental way.  Apart from the few things which obviously require that teacher and students are in the room together – a running dictation game, for example – teaching face-to-face or via Skype demand the same from teachers and pupils.

Getting started:

► Schedule a needs-analysis session with your potential student(s) via Skype. In this meeting, besides testing the student’s overall English ability and finding out what s/he needs from you, you’ll also be testing his/her Internet connection and how many of the Skype features you’ll be able to use in your classes. I would specifically recommend you try video, sharing your screen – so as to be able to watch videos and use PowerPoint presentations, for example –, and doing a short listening exercise. 
► Set a time for your classes: although flexibility is commendable if you can have it, too much flexibility may give the impression the course is not very serious!
► Plan the course and the classes as you would if you were visiting the student(s) weekly. If you want your course to be taken seriously, start by taking it seriously yourself!

Next month I’ll continue by talking about the Skype class itself, a few activities you can try out, how to make presentations, do listening and reading, use songs and video and much more.

If you have questions you’d like to see addressed in my next column or suggestions of topics you’d like me to write about, get in touch with me by writing to cavalcante.higor@uol.com.br. 

See you in November!