During your Lingoda classes, there are a few guaranteed ways to ensure a great lesson.

1. Review learning materials 

Before starting your lesson, it’s very important to review the topic; get a sense of how many pages you will need to cover and what you would like to discuss. If you have back to back classes, we recommend doing this before the first class of your class string.

2. Being punctual

Always start on time - just as in a physical classroom; you should be present and waiting for the students to join so to start the class on time. You are able to join the class 5 minutes before the class time in the class description. If you are over 10 minutes late, the class should be logged as ‘missed’ so it’s very important to be on time (how to log classes correctly is explained in the class log section).

3. A friendly introduction 

A good introduction sets the tone for the class. We recommend asking students to give a short introduction (i.e. their name, where they are from, what they do) at the very beginning of the class. You can then give your own introduction and begin the topic. The intros should be around 3 minutes long, as not all students prefer introducing themselves at the beginning of each class. 

4. Encourage students to speak

The more student speaking time, the better. A Lingoda class is a great opportunity for students to apply their language speaking skills so make sure they have plenty of speaking time (at least 50% of the class time is how much they should be speaking). You can do this by making sure students meaningfully interact with the slides and their peers. Ask your students questions throughout the lesson and create space for them to ask each other questions too.

Confidence is a challenge for many language learners. One of the most common signs of shyness or lack of confidence is a quiet student. Try to give the student in question some time to speak and find his or her way to the correct answer.

For the more resistant students, you can ask them to write their answers in the chat, but speaking is the ultimate goal.

5. Speak in the target language

In an ideal class, only the target language is spoken. Even at an A1 level, as much of the target language as possible should be spoken in class. This familiarizes the student with the language they are trying to learn, and will significantly improve their pronunciation skills. 

Starting at level B1.2, students should be able to speak completely in the target language. At this level, general experience shows that students are capable of reading, comprehending and speaking freely, even though they might lack confidence at times.

6. Use PDF Annotator tool and the Zoom chat box

The annotator tool is a great way to make the class more dynamic, visual and fun. Type any useful new vocabulary that comes up in class directly onto the slides, or use the note function (please watch our video in the Zoom & PDF annotator section to familiarize yourself with the helpful tools).

Don’t forget to use the Zoom chat box for writing exercises, as students cannot use the annotator tool. Here students can write sentences which you can then copy and paste onto the material to review after the task is completed if you wish. Students are able to download the Zoom class chat notes after the class in addition to the annotated PDF. 

Tip: Make sure you put the material in full screen mode when sharing your screen. This will help the student see the material more clearly!

7. Correcting pronunciation

When a student has lots of speaking time in class, this is the perfect opportunity for you to check their pronunciation. Students really appreciate being corrected and giving them at least one point for them to work on after class is really helpful for the learning experience. Make sure to positively encourage students who are visibly struggling. Not pushing them too hard and being empathetic gives the best results. If a student is flustered and frustrated, move, and refer to the pain point at the end of the lesson as something to work on in the future. 

8. Lead the classroom effectively

You should conduct a structured class, following the presentation and learning materials as well as provide ample opportunity for student participation. 

  • If you find a student is speaking too much and not giving other students their fair share of speaking time, it’s important to interject and create a good class flow. 
  • Additionally, make sure you do not go too far off-topic and try to always steer the conversation in a direction that will contribute to the learning goals. 
  • If there are gaps in the class where no one is speaking, make sure to ask more questions or elaborate more on a point on the material.

9. Avoid asking too many personal questions

As a teacher, it is important to maintain a professional relationship with your students. While building rapport and getting to know your students is important, it is equally important to avoid asking too many personal questions. Asking too many personal questions can make students feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, and may even be seen as invasive or inappropriate. Instead, focus on creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued and respected. Encourage open communication, but let students share personal information on their own terms. You can tell them at the beginning of or during the lesson, that personal questions are asked to make them practice the language. If they feel uncomfortable at any time, they can either talk about another person instead of themselves, share an alternative information about themselves, or skip the question entirely. By respecting boundaries and fostering trust, you can create a successful classroom experience for all students.

10. At the end of the lesson...

It is good practice at the end of a class to summarize what has been learned, and you can refer to the learning goals at the beginning of the material. Make a note of any points for the students to work on in the future and leave a final positive message of encouragement.

Never end the lesson earlier than the allocated 60 minutes. If you have reached the end of the materials, continue asking questions related to the topic and challenge the students further.

If you have another class directly after the one you are teaching, please inform your current students at the beginning that the lesson will end 3 minutes early. These 3 minutes should be more than sufficient to enter the next class.