Welcome to a guide on making the most out of your online English lessons. Whether you're new to online lessons or looking to enhance your experience, this article is designed to help you prepare and participate effectively.
Preparation for your English Lesson
Before your lesson begins, take a moment to prepare yourself mentally. Clear any distractions and give yourself a brief period to relax. It's also beneficial to schedule some time after your lesson to reflect on what you've learnt. This allows your brain to process the information effectively and optimise your lesson and learning experience.
Get Comfortable
Grab a drink and a snack, if you like, and find a comfortable place where you can relax and focus during your lesson. Try to use a quiet room where you are unlikely to be interrupted.
Equipment
For a successful online lesson, all you need is a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera, microphone, and speakers. A desktop or laptop computer is recommended for a better view of both teacher and learning materials. Using a phone or tablet is not ideal due to screen size.
The Camera
Position your camera at eye level (not too low or high) and ensure your entire face is clearly visible. This allows for better communication, as non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, are important in understanding your responses. Clear visibility helps to gauge whether you are confused, interested, or need further explanation, allowing the lesson to be adjusted accordingly. For instance, if you appear puzzled or hesitant, explanations can be slowed down or rephrased. Conversely, if you seem confident and engaged, the pace can be maintained or more challenging material introduced.
Lighting
Position yourself with the light in front of you rather than behind, avoiding backlit situations (for example, having a window or a light behind you) which can obscure your face.
About the Platform
Get Set Go English online lessons are conducted via Google Meet. Upon payment confirmation, you'll receive a link to your scheduled lessons. This link remains the same throughout your course, making it easy to join your sessions. If you have signed into Google before, you may be prompted to do so again.
Tip: Make a note of your joining code so that if you lose the invitation, you can simply visit Google.Meet and enter your code. Alternatively, you can save the link as a bookmark in your browser for quick access.
Lesson Notes
Your teacher will take detailed notes during the lesson, capturing new vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation as well as error corrections and personalised feedback. These notes will be shared with you after the lesson by email. It's also advisable to take your own notes during the lesson, as this reinforces learning and helps with memory retention.
Cancellations
As per the course policy, to reschedule a lesson, a minimum of 1 week's notice is required. Cancellations within this timeframe cannot always be rescheduled within the same week and will be payable.
Homework
Homework can be included in your programme if agreed. If you plan to submit homework before the next lesson, aim to send it at least 1 day in advance to allow time for review, keeping in mind that busy teaching timetables might affect this. The same applies to any specific content requests for the next lesson—providing advance notice ensures that the session can be tailored to your needs.
By following these practical tips, you can make your online English lessons more productive and enjoyable. If you have any further questions or specific requirements, feel free to ask.
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