It’s easy for students to get distracted while studying. Common distractions include texting, watching videos, checking social media sites, and listening to music. Encourage students to turn off their phones, set them to “Do not disturb,” or put them out of reach. If they are using a computer or tablet for studying, they should close any apps or Internet sites unrelated to their studies. By eliminating these distractions, it’ll be easier for them to focus on their tasks, and study more efficiently and effectively.

To help students create goals for each study session, they’ll need to estimate how long each task will take. Suggest they time themselves for two or three weeks as they do various tasks, to get a sense of time estimates.

It’s common for people to underestimate the amount of time a task will take – often by 50%. So, when students are guessing times initially, tell them to allow more time than they expect.

Once your students have scheduled their tasks, they should create goals for each study session. Help them think of realistic, achievable goals, so they’ll experience success rather than frustration or burn out.

Help students make their goals as clear and specific as possible. For example, instead of writing: “Do English homework,” a student can write: “Read Lesson 1 Sports Article and answer the questions.”

The Unit Objectives screen at the beginning of each unit in our flagship product English Discoveries can also be used to help students plan their goals.

The next step in helping students develop time management skills is having them create a study plan.

They can accomplish this by entering their tasks in a calendar, such as a weekly planner. Using their prioritized list as a guide, students should enter their daily and weekly tasks and assignments into the calendar. In addition, they should block out times for classes, meetings, and other school-related activities.

By scheduling their tasks, students will see exactly what’s expected of them each day and get a picture of what their week will look like.

To help students manage their time effectively, encourage them to first think of all the tasks they need to do (assignments, projects, studying, etc.), and write them down.

Next, they should prioritize these tasks, based on importance and how time-consuming they are. It’s helpful to assign each task a letter – A, B, or C – with A indicating a task of high importance and C indicating a task of low importance. Alternatively, they could use a star system – the more stars a task is given, the more important it is.

Priority should be given to important tasks and tasks that will take longer to complete.

Reading comprehension is a key component to learning a new language. Check out our latest video, which highlights tips to help you improve your reading comprehension skills!

Speaking is an extremely important skill when learning a new language. Check out our latest video that highlights learning tips for improving your speaking skills.

Looking for ways to improve your listening comprehension skills? Check out our latest video entitled “Getting the Most out of Your Learning, Tips for Listening”!

Text messaging is an everyday form of communication. But it’s not just reserved for personal interactions on a cell phone. The text-chat is also a popular tool in the synchronous-learning toolbox.

In physical classrooms, since students are close together, many interactions occur naturally. If there’s an instruction a student doesn’t understand, for example, they might tap the person next to them to ask for clarification. The online-classroom doesn’t have this advantage. But text-chats can help.

Students can use the chat to ask questions without interrupting the lesson. They can also react to content being presented by other students by texting encouraging messages, compliments, or friendly emojis. Before you present a slideshow or short video, you can text the class one or two prediction questions, and have them text their predictions. Then, after the slideshow/video, they can discuss via chat whether or not their predictions were correct.

In a language learning class, you can send students text messages with spelling or grammar errors, and have them text back the corrected messages. You can also check students’ prior knowledge by texting questions like, “What’s an example of the Present Simple?” or “What adjectives can you use to describe food?”

The chat is especially helpful for shy students who prefer writing to speaking in front of a group. And since multiple speakers are often “talking” at the same time in a chat, attention is not drawn to any one individual.

Chats can also be used for warm-up questions to help with social-check-in. For example, you can text questions like, “What did you eat for breakfast this morning?” or “What did you do this weekend?”

The text-chat tool provides students with learning activities that can help increase student interaction, thereby creating a feeling of community even in the distance learning environment.

While distance-learning platforms are always improving, online learning still has its downsides. One downside is the lack of natural peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration. To compensate for this, many distance-learning platforms have “breakout rooms.”

Breakout rooms allow you to break up the class into smaller groups, as you would in a physical classroom. You can do this by assigning students to different virtual rooms or “breakout rooms,” where they can take advantage of the smaller group size.

In smaller groups, students have more time to speak up and share their thoughts. Small groups are also more conducive to discussion. And they’re especially helpful for students who are uncomfortable speaking in large groups. Another benefit to breakout rooms is that they add variety to the online lesson, helping to keep students interested and attentive.

As the teacher, you can pop into each breakout room to check up on students and offer guidance. Students can likewise take the opportunity to ask you questions.

Breakout rooms can be used for many purposes, including brainstorming, role-playing, group projects, and small-group discussions. And students can use the various tools from the synchronous toolbox to accomplish them.

In their breakout rooms, students might brainstorm a list of ways to save energy at home. One student from each breakout room can write the group’s answers on a whiteboard, and later share them with the class. Or you can assign a text, such as a biography, for students to read in their breakout rooms. Then they can use the chat tool to discuss what they thought was the most interesting fact that they learned about the person.

Before sending students to breakout rooms, be sure to explain what their task will be and how much time they’ll have to complete it. When time is up, have students reconvene in “the main classroom” to share their work. If students prepared role plays in their breakout rooms, they can act them out in front of the class when they reconvene.

Breakout rooms allow students to get to know each other better. They enhance the synchronous learning experience, and help make the transition from in-person learning to online-learning a smoother one.

The online whiteboard is a very popular distance-learning tool. Teachers can use it as they would a physical whiteboard or flipchart. They can write and draw, or display pre-prepared content. But they can also do a lot more. Teachers can record lessons, preserve notes and discussions, or create a presentation, and make them available to students.

You can have students write on the board, as you would in a physical classroom. You can invite students to fill out diagrams or crossword puzzles. They can add their ideas to a class brainstorming session. Online whiteboards come with “shape libraries,” which can be used by students (or teachers) to quickly create engaging diagrams, charts, posters, and other visuals. Many whiteboards come with pre-made templates for teachers or students to use.

Some whiteboards can be used by more than one person at a time, so students can work together on a task. For example, the teacher can ask students a question, such as the meaning of a word in a target language. Students rush to post their answers. The first student to enter the correct answer gets a point.

On some platforms each student has his or her own whiteboard, and in breakout rooms they can share a whiteboard. The teacher can see all the students’ whiteboards (while students can only see their own and their teacher’s). So, when students use their whiteboards, the teacher can assess their progress.

When used well, the online whiteboard makes lessons more engaging and helps maintain students’ focus and attention. It keeps students actively involved, and encourages collaboration, especially important in online classrooms.

Synchronous learning is more popular now than ever before. This is due to the COVID-19 crisis, which forced schools to switch to distance learning practically overnight.

As educators have quickly found out, for synchronous learning to be successful, it’s not enough to simply put their face-to-face lessons online. Lessons need to be adapted or even created from scratch to work for online instruction. To keep learners’ interest and attention, lessons need to be short, varied, engaging, and interactive.  Fortunately, most synchronous platforms come equipped with “toolboxes” to help achieve this.

A synchronous toolbox is a set of features that help make online lessons more interactive and interesting. Common “tools” are whiteboards, breakout rooms, chats, emojis, polls, and screen sharing and more!

In our upcoming blog series, we will dive into various synchronous-toolbox tools. Check back here next week, when we discuss the online whiteboard tool.

When you want to learn a new skill, like changing a bicycle tire, or wiring an electrical circuit, you probably go to the Internet. You might read a short list of illustrated instructions, or watch a video demonstration. This kind of learning is called microlearning.

Microlearning is a method of learning in which skills are broken down into small, easily digestible chunks of information. Each chunk, or nugget, is very short—approximately three to ten minutes in length—and focuses on one specific topic or skill. Learning takes place in short bursts, where and when it is needed.

Many learners like microlearning because they find it more engaging and less time-consuming than other modes of learning. It’s also more convenient. Microlearning tasks can be accessed through your smartphone, so you can learn at any time or place.

Traditionally, if a company wanted to teach employees a new business strategy, they might have conducted an hours-long training session. With microlearning, however, businesses can teach the same information through video clips, slideshows, podcasts and/or infographics.

Microlearning is also great for students in an online synchronous classroom, where it’s difficult to sit still for long periods of time, staring at a screen. This method also works well for individuals who want to learn a new skill or language, but have little free time.

Like any learning strategy, microlearning has its downsides. It’s not the best method for in-depth learning or for people who aren’t tech savvy.

Yet, with today’s busy schedules and short attention spans, micro learning is certainly an attractive learning option.

As technology continues to improve and evolve, so do methods of language learning. A popular method today is “Mobile Assisted Language Learning” or “MALL.” This approach involves using smartphones (and/or other mobile devices), to learn a second language.

MALL is beneficial for language learners for many reasons. First of all, the average language learner has a mobile phone. (Over 90% of people in developed countries have a mobile phone, compared to only 40% who have desktop computers). In addition, most people take their phone wherever they go. This enables them to study anytime, anywhere. And assuming their language learning apps and activities are enjoyable, they’ll be motivated to continue studying outside of class.

There are numerous smartphone apps that can be used for language learning. Some apps were created specifically for this purpose. Others are educational apps that can be used to teach any subject, including languages. And finally, social media apps were created for a general audience, but can also be adapted for language learners.

For example, teachers can have learners use an instant messaging app to message each other in the target language. Teachers can also have students send text messages that target a grammar point covered in class.

Learners can also use social media sites, to observe authentic content in real-world situations, and practice social interaction in the target language. Learners can also use mobile-generated media, such as photos, videos, and audio recordings, to produce their own content, making the study of the target language more interesting, and relevant to their lives, thereby increasing their motivation and improving their skills.

When using MALL, especially with mobile phones, teachers should create several short lessons rather than one or two long ones. Learners are used to consuming brief amounts of information, quickly, on their phones. In addition, only a short amount of text can be displayed at once on a phone’s small screen. It’s helpful, therefore, to break up lessons into 3-to-5- minute chunks, or “micro-lessons”. These micro-lessons will also benefit students with short attention spans.

Game-based learning, or GBL, is an educational approach that uses games (often computer/video games) to teach students in a fun, engaging and motivational way. GBL integrates learning and game play, so that the learning objective is integral to the game, and the game is an integral part of the learning process. A major goal of GBI is for students to enjoy the learning process, and learn more effectively.

Students are at the center of GBL, making them active learners, and more likely to retain information than passive learners. In game-based learning, students work toward a goal. They choose actions and experience the consequences of those actions. They have to think quickly and logically. Many games have simulated environments. In good game-based learning, students can transfer the skills they’ve obtained from a simulated environment to real life. Game-based learning helps build problem solving and critical thinking skills. It also encourages student collaboration.

There are many different games that teach many different subjects. In the game “Do I Have a Right?” students run a law firm and have to figure out if any of their clients’ rights have been violated. In the game “Our City,” players build and develop a city while keeping residents happy. The game “Reach for the Sun” is about photosynthesis, and “Zombie-Based Learning” teaches geography. Teachers can also create their own games. In a finance course, for example, they can host a virtual stock-trading competition.

Game-based learning is beneficial for EFL students, as it requires them to practice their English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Games can also be used to teach EFL students grammar in a fun and engaging way, making grammar rules easier to understand and apply.

While many students are afraid of failure in the classroom, most don’t mind making mistakes while playing a game. Games are all about trial and error. Students learn through repetition, failure and the accomplishment of goals.

With GBL, students learn by doing. They have to think and analyze, and not just memorize.

For years, Finland has had one of the best educational systems in the world. In 2016, they decided to make it even better – by developing an educational method to prepare students for the future. They called it “phenomenon-based learning” (or PhenoBL). Instead of teaching by subject, such as history or math, phenomenon-based learning teaches by topic, event, or phenomenon.

Phenomenon-based learning uses a multidisciplinary approach, in which several subjects are learned together to help solve a global problem or answer a real-world question. To answer a question about the spread of Covid-19 for example, students might need to study math, science, geography, and economics. If the students have a question about the Olympic Games, students might want to learn about the origin of the Olympics, nationalities of Olympic athletes, or the speed or height of athletes in action. As students research the answers, they’ll make connections across disciplines, such as history, geography, languages, science and math.

Phenomenon-based learning starts with students thinking of a real-world issue or a phenomenon that intrigues them. A student may ask, “What keeps a bridge from collapsing?” or “Why do we need money?” Then, with teacher guidance, students study the subjects necessary to answer the question or solve the problem. This method gives meaning and context to the topic. It also helps to sharpen students’ critical thinking skills.

In Finland, students aged 7-16 must participate in at least one phenomenon-based learning module per year. But PhenoBL can benefit learners of all ages. In fact, businesses are using PhenoBL with their employees. The goal of phenomenon-based learning is to give students a broader, more nuanced understanding of concepts across disciplines, and enable them to transfer and apply their knowledge to new settings.

Schools around the world have been closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, countries are trying to figure out how to reopen schools safely. Some are considering “outdoor learning,” where, as the name suggests, learning takes place outdoors.

Outdoor learning isn’t new, but the idea is gaining in popularity because of COVID-19. The virus is less contagious outside, and it’s easier to practice social distancing in large outdoor spaces. There are other benefits to outdoor learning, too. Research has shown that spending time outdoors reduces stress, and increases overall feelings of well-being.

In an outdoor-learning classroom, students learn a variety of school subjects – such as math, art, history and science – outside the four walls of the classroom. Students may work on math skills by estimating and measuring the height of a tree. They may study science by designing a nest to keep a mouse warm. They can make costumes out of natural materials that they’ve gathered, and reenact a historical event.

Outdoor-learning classrooms help students build problem-solving skills and leadership skills. It also encourages spontaneity and curiosity, and increases attention span. Outdoor learning can take place almost anywhere – in parks or other local green spaces, and even in urban environments.

Some outdoor-learning schools do all their teaching outside. Others do a combination of indoor and outdoor learning, taking the best of both worlds. Whatever the combination, outdoor learning teaches children that learning can happen anytime, anywhere.

Tip #10, the final tip in our “10 Tips for a Successful Synchronous Lesson” series, is: Don’t forget your synchronous toolbox!

Make sure to take advantage of all the tools in your synchronous toolbox! They’ll help make your lessons more interesting and interactive. Here are some common synchronous learning tools:

Whiteboard – Use this to write, draw, or display pre-made content, as you would on a classroom whiteboard or flipchart. Write key points on the board, or ask students a question and write down their answers. When having students brainstorm, jot down their ideas. You can also invite students to write on the board too. For instance, you can ask them to write all the words they know relating to a topic, or example sentences that practice a certain grammar point.

Breakout rooms – These enable you to break up the class into smaller groups, which increases opportunities for student interaction and participation. In breakout rooms, students can have discussions, work on projects, do role plays, or have brainstorming sessions. Breakout rooms help students get to know each other better. They’re also beneficial for students who are uncomfortable participating or speaking up in a large group.

Chats – While you’re talking, students can use the chat to ask questions without interrupting. They can also use chat to respond or react to content being presented. Students can also send private text messages to you when they need help. The chat tool is particularly helpful for shy students who prefer writing over speaking.

Emojis – Use emojis to send non-verbal feedback. Encourage your students to do the same. For positive feedback, for example, you can use the applause emoji, or students can use the thumbs up or down emojis to show if they agree or disagree with a statement or opinion.

Polls – Use polls to boost student engagement, to transition to a new topic, or to find out how much students already know. You can also use polls such as a survey of class hobbies or interesting experiences to help you and your students get to know each other

Screen sharing – Screen sharing is a great way to show your students a video, slide presentation or pictures. You can also demonstrate how to do assignments by having students watch you give an example on your own screen.

These tools, along with others in the synchronous toolbox, will ensure you and your students become excited about and engaged in your online synchronous lessons.

Today’s tip for a successful synchronous session is tip #9 – Mute students when they aren’t talking.

One thing that can be very distracting during a synchronous online lesson is background noise. Whether it’s a dog barking, cars honking or audio feedback, it can interfere with students’ concentration, break the flow of a lesson, and lower students’ enthusiasm for what they’re learning.

You should therefore mute students’ microphones before a lesson. (On some video conferencing platforms you can set the default to mute.) When students want to speak, they can unmute themselves, or you can unmute them. You should also mute your own microphone when you’re not speaking. When you’re quietly observing students, for example, mute your microphone and unmute it when you want to interject.

Another benefit to muting students is that it gives center stage to a single student who’s speaking, and prevents interruptions. Muting is especially necessary for large classrooms. In small breakout sessions of up to five or six people, however, leaving microphones on can actually help a conversation flow naturally.

Many video conferencing platforms have a raised-hand icon, which students can use to show that they would like to speak – as they would in the classroom. Some have an emoji feature, so you, or your students, can react to something being said by sending an emoji (such as a “thumbs-up” or applause) rather than speaking. In these ways, even though students aren’t speaking, they’re still active participants in the lesson.

Make sure to check in next week when we discuss the 10^th and final tip in our “10 Tips For a Successful Synchronous Session.” Tip #10 – Don’t forget your synchronous toolbox! See you then!

The 8th tip for a successful synchronous session is to ask students questions during the lesson, and have them respond via chat function. Asking questions is a good way to break up a lesson and encourage student interaction. It’s also a good way to check if students are following the lesson and learning the material. Ask questions throughout the lesson, but just one question at a time, so as not to cause confusion. When planning your lesson, include notes about where you’ll pause to ask each question.

There are several benefits to having students answer questions by chat rather than verbally. First of all, it’s beneficial for shy students who are uncomfortable speaking in public; letting them text answers encourages them to participate in the lesson. Secondly, when video conferencing, it’s hard to avoid cross talking – when two or more people speak at once. Delays in video and audio can also make it difficult for students to know when someone has finished speaking and they can start.

See you next week we’ll discuss the tip #9: “Mute students when they aren’t talking.”

Today, in our series of “10 Tips for a Successful Synchronous Lesson,” we’ll be discussing Tip 7: Keep it short and snappy!

In the virtual classroom, it’s often hard for students to stay focused, and teachers have to compete with distractions in students’ homes. To keep students’ attention, lessons should include short, varied activities. If sharing a video, make sure it’s no longer than 1-2 minutes, and a text, just 1-2 paragraphs long.

Try to break up a lesson into small, easily digestible segments. This process, called “chunking,” helps students stay engaged. It also makes the information easier to understand, process, and commit to memory. When chunking a lesson, teach just key content; and try to break up the lesson with short, interactive activities, such as polls and quizzes. Online lessons are most effective when they incorporate interactive modes of learning.

Many activities take longer to set up and do online, so keep activities simple. Set time limits for tasks, so students don’t have to wait too long for others to finish. You might give students two minutes to list all the words they know on a topic, or five minutes to write three sentences summarizing a passage.

When assigning time-consuming tasks, such as writing assignments, have students do them for homework rather than during your synchronous lesson. During class, students can brainstorm ideas or discuss what they wrote.

With practice, you’ll discover the right combinations of tasks and activities to create effective synchronous lessons.

Join us next week, when we discuss Tip 8: Ask a question and give students a moment to prepare/write their answer in the chat.

Today, in our series of “10 Tips for a Successful Synchronous Lesson,” we’ll be discussing tip #6: Make sure your synchronous session offers interesting content, insights, or activities.

To keep students’ attention and encourage them to continue attending class, online lessons need to be interesting and engaging. Choose content relevant to students’ lives and experiences, or topics that are important to them. For older students, the content may include current events, for example, or job searching.

Many of today’s learners have been brought up on the fun, entertaining media content, and they expect the same from their online lessons; otherwise, they lose interest. To keep these students engaged, create activities that are interactive, collaborative, and varied.

Incorporate polls or quizzes (using apps, or features available on some distance-learning platforms). Polls can be a fun way to find out about students’ prior knowledge or opinion of a topic. Polls can also be used to introduce a lesson, follow up after a lesson, or add interactivity to a lesson. Quizzes can be used for assessment, to reinforce lesson content, or just for fun. Students can also create quizzes for each other.

Provide opportunities for students to engage with one another. Split the classroom into smaller groups and have them enter breakout rooms for small group discussions. Alternatively, assign them collaboration activities, such as creating a slideshow that covers a specific topic (using a program like Google Slides), or working together to find a solution to a problem.

Add visual presentations, such as a short video you created, or a music video, to accompany your lecture. Integrate graphics and images into your lesson, including cartoons to add humor.

Next week we’ll discuss tip #7: Keep it short and snappy! If you watch a video together make sure it isn’t longer than 1-2 minutes. Texts should only be 1 or 2 paragraphs.

Today we’ll be discussing tip #5 from our list of “10 Tips for a Successful Synchronous Lesson.” Tip #5: Tell students what to expect during the lesson.

Students may have more difficulty following an online lesson than a lesson in a traditional classroom. They may also be more anxious about their learning since they’re missing many of the cues found in face-to-face lessons, such as body language, support from fellow students, and ability to approach the teacher to ask questions.

For this reason, it’s important to give students a head start, and prepare them for each lesson. Before a lesson, let students know the purpose of the lesson, and what they can expect to be doing and learning.

Let students know how the learning is relevant to their lives, and when or how they might use what they learn. For example, if the lesson is about future tenses, inform students that they’ll use future tenses when making plans. A lesson about main idea and details may help students learn to take good notes. And a lesson in which students ask and answer questions can help them practice for a job interview.

In addition to giving this information orally, display it on a slide or white board on your distance-learning platform, so students can refer to it during the lesson. Alternatively, send students the information ahead of time, so they can read it before class. When students are informed of a lesson’s objectives, they’re more likely to understand the focus of the lesson. They’re also more likely to take ownership of their learning, making them more active and motivated learners.

Since distance learning can be a more difficult mode of learning for some, give students clear and simple instructions before they start a lesson activity. And make sure everyone understands what to do. This way, instead of being confused or frustrated, students will be calm, confident, and more apt to participate in class.

In today’s blog post we’ll unpack tip #4 of our “10 Tips for a Successful Synchronous Lesson” series. Tip #4: Do a social check-in at the beginning of class.

Greet each student as he or she joins the virtual classroom. Welcome the student by name and ask them basic questions, such as how they are, or how their weekend was. Ask them personal (but not too personal) questions, about a family member, for example, or a pet, or why they missed a previous lesson. These types of questions show students that you “see” them, care about them, and view them as a valued member of the classroom.

In the virtual classroom, it’s more difficult to “read” students (to see who’s engaged, who’s struggling, etc.) than in the physical classroom. In the virtual classroom, you’ll need to create opportunities to find out this information. And the social check-in is a good example. You can ask students what they thought of the homework assignment or of the previous lesson. Was it easy or challenging? What did they like most or least about it?

If the class is very large, you probably won’t be able to welcome everyone – especially latecomers – before class begins. In this case, you can continue welcoming students after the first warm-up activity, or stagger check-ins during the lesson. But make sure to check in with every student, as this will help them feel connected to (rather than isolated from) the group.

See you next week, when we delve into tip #5: Tell students what to expect during the lesson.

Today we’ll be discussing tip #3: Ask students to keep their cameras on.

In a virtual classroom, some students may prefer not to be seen (maybe they’re still in pajamas or sitting in bed), so they turn off their webcams. But there are several reasons why leaving webcams on is beneficial, and these should be communicated to the students.

For starters, in a virtual classroom, students may feel a sense of disconnectedness that they don’t feel in a physical classroom. When all students allow themselves to be seen and heard, however, using their webcams and microphones, they help simulate a physical classroom environment. This minimizes the feeling of disconnectedness.

In the physical classroom, teachers can read students’ body language and observe their behaviors, so they get a sense of who’s paying attention, or who’s struggling. This body language also gives teachers feedback on their lessons. Is it interesting and engaging? Is it at the appropriate skill level? These observations are more difficult to make online, and nearly impossible when students’ cameras are off. In fact, without seeing their faces in real-time, teachers don’t even know if students are really there.

Teachers should, therefore, request all students to keep their webcams (and microphones) on, as everyone in the virtual classroom will benefit.

Join us next week when we explore tip #4: Do a social check-in at the beginning of class.

Today, in our series of “10 Tips for a Successful Synchronous Lesson,” we will discuss tip #2: Send a preparation task for students to do before class.

Students who are used to brick-and-mortar schools may have difficulty transitioning to online learning at home. They may lack motivation to learn and get distracted easily.

It helps to assign students a task to do in preparation for each lesson. When students prepare in advance, they become more invested in the lesson and more engaged in the learning process. They’re also more likely to participate in class and stay focused.

It’s helpful to assign tasks that require students to use their own prior knowledge to connect with the topic. This will help them grasp the new information they’ll be learning in class. It’ll also help them understand the relevance of the lesson to their lives, so they’re more interested in learning about it.

When assigning the preparatory task, tell students what the upcoming lesson will be about and provide them with any other information they’ll need to know. Be as clear and specific as possible when explaining the task. Keep tasks short, so students aren’t discouraged from doing them.

Here are a few examples of preparatory tasks you can assign:

• Ask a thought-provoking question based on the material you’ll be covering in the lesson, or ask students to write their own thought-provoking question.
• Give students a 1-3 question survey asking them about their experiences or opinions connected to the topic of the upcoming lesson.
• Assign a short video or reading passage on the lesson topic and ask students to come to class with 1-3 questions to ask about the topic (things they’d like to know), or list 3 things they already know about the topic.

Check back next week when we explore tip #3: Ask students to keep their cameras on.

In last week’s blog post we introduced 10 tips for a successful synchronous session. Today we’re going explore tip #1: Consider splitting large classes into two shorter, smaller groups.

The physical classroom offers students natural opportunities to move around, whether they’re getting into groups or walking up to the board. This isn’t the case with virtual classrooms, where students sit and stare at a screen. Even when presented with fun, creative online activities to do, it’s still difficult to sit and pay attention for long periods of time. It’s therefore beneficial to keep virtual lessons relatively short. One way to accomplish this is to split larger classes into two. If classroom size is cut, the teacher can cover more material more quickly.

But that’s not the only benefit to smaller class sizes, especially in a virtual classroom. The virtual classroom setting can feel rather artificial and intimidating at first, with one person speaking at a time, and everyone looking at that person. It can take a lot of nerve to ask a question or make a comment in such an environment, causing some students to fade into the background. By splitting students into two smaller groups, however, teachers can help alleviate this problem.

Smaller groups are generally less threatening, so students are more confident in taking part in classroom discussions. With more students participating, sharing their perspectives and ideas, the lessons become more interactive. The smaller group size also allows for time to hear from more students, even with a shortened lesson. An intimate virtual classroom environment is also conducive to collaboration and learning team-building skills.

Teachers benefit from smaller classes as well. They can more easily monitor students’ performance, detect gaps in their knowledge, and provide immediate help and feedback. With fewer students, teachers can more easily personalize lessons and have students work at their own pace.

If you’re unable to split your classroom into two and teach each group separately, there’s an alternative option. You can start sessions with the full classroom, and then divide students into groups by sending them to separate “breakout rooms” or “chat rooms” available on your virtual classroom software. Towards the end of the lesson, you can bring everyone back together and ask representatives to act as spokespeople for their groups.

Next week we’ll discuss how to prepare students for an online lesson, as we explore tip #2 of our “10 Tips For a Successful Synchronous Session.” See you then!

As school shutdowns continue, the number of people participating in online education, or “distance learning,” continues to climb. This is especially true of synchronous learning/teaching.

Synchronous learning is distance learning in real-time. The teacher and students learn together in the same virtual place, at the same time, using the same platform. In other words, the classroom is simply moved online. With synchronous learning, students can participate in active discussions, have real-time interactions with the students and teacher, and receive immediate feedback.

But as teachers and students adjust to this relatively new mode of education, and as the technology behind it continues to improve, teachers may encounter some challenges.

To prevent or deal with these challenges we have compiled a list of 10 tips that’ll help make your synchronous-teaching classroom a success. In future blog posts, we will delve deeper into each one.

Tips:

1. Consider splitting large classes into two shorter, smaller classes.
2. Send a preparation task for students to do before class.
3. Ask students to keep their cameras on.
4. Do a social check-in at the beginning of class.
5. Tell students what to expect during the lesson.
6. Make sure your synchronous session offers interesting content, insights, or activities.
7. Keep it short and snappy! If you watch a video together make sure it isn’t longer than 1-2 minutes. Texts should only be 1 or 2 paragraphs.
8. Ask a question and give students a moment to prepare/write their answer in the chat.
9. Mute students when they aren’t talking.
10. Don’t forget your synchronous toolbox!

Check back next week as we “unpack” tip number #1!

The worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has rapidly accelerated the use of online distance learning around the world. Most of today’s distance learning solutions also include synchronous learning. Synchronous learning is defined as teacher-led online lessons for students studying at the same time, using a digital platform. It provides a virtual teacher-led framework for learning which allows students to study together in real-time. To ensure the most successful implementation of Synchronous Teaching, we have compiled a list of tips to help teachers deal with some of the technical issues that can arise in a synchronous online learning environment:

Before a synch class

• Send a list of materials students will need ahead of class so they can get ready ahead of time.
• Send a link to your synch lesson the day before and check that the link works
• Log in 15 minutes before and test the virtual venue from the computer and Web connection you will use in your session.
• Close all unnecessary applications on the computer you are going to use to maximize computer resources and limit distractions.
• Consider providing a password or setting up a waiting room for attendees to ensure the privacy of your session.
• Check your session settings: to ensure your class runs smoothly – you may want to mute attendees when they enter and disable their ability to switch backgrounds, share, or annotate screens.
• Prepare a back-up plan!

During a synch class

• Remain calm and in control. If there is a technical problem, acknowledge it and ask for a brief moment to try to resolve it.
• Do not try to rescue one person at the expense of the entire group.
• If a particular tool isn’t working think of other ways you can still achieve your goal and make good use of everyone’s time.
• Know when to reschedule. If the technical problem is too big, reschedule the session.

The worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has rapidly accelerated the use of online learning around the world. Edusoft’s English Discoveries program is designed to provide students with the tools they need in order to succeed in a distance online learning environment. English Discoveries recognizes the importance of providing learners with scaffolding to move toward successful online learning that reflects self-directed philosophies. English Discoveries provides student tools such as keyword glosses, highlighting of main ideas, and reference words. Audio support for reading passages, scripts for audio and video resources, and line-by-line translation, further support learning.

The learning materials also contain explicit language focus and metacognitive strategies for comprehension (e.g., advice on identifying the main idea, skimming, and scanning, understanding vocabulary in context, etc.). English Discoveries’ comprehension activities are designed to support learners’ understanding of the resource texts. Activity types such as “select text”, “insert text”, “highlight text”, and “edit text”, focus students’ attention on discourse organization and encourage close reading. Other activities help develop higher-order thinking skills such as sequencing, matching, categorizing, summarizing, and synthesizing. In summary, English Discoveries students who are working in self-access should be encouraged to make full use of the different student support tools as a first step to becoming a successful self-regulated learner.

Turner and Paris’ Six C’s of Motivation (1995) identify six characteristics of motivating contexts, namely, choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequence. This blog post will focus on the final C, Consequence.

Consequence, suggests that when students are given tasks for which there are consequences, they are more motivated to learn. What does this mean? For Turner & Paris, consequence refers to the extent to which students experience positive effects from their efforts. These positive effects may stem from receiving good grades or from the recognition of their effort and the quality of their work.

Grades obviously have consequences for learners. They indicate the level that the learner has reached,  and allow students to move from stage to stage in the learning process.

Recognition by others – of the effort invested and the quality achieved – is also a motivating consequence. When learners are able to showcase their work, they receive recognition and feedback. If learners know they are going to be afforded an opportunity to show off their work, they take ownership, become engaged, and eventually feel pride at what they have achieved.  According to Turner & Paris “This strategy [showcasing of student work] creates a positive feeling about effort, ownership, achievement, and responsibility (1995).  

How can this be done? Sharing can be achieved in numerous ways. Displaying student-created posters on walls – accompanied by a gallery-walk is one option. Students presenting to an audience is another. These displays or presentations could be turned into school events, where the local community is invited to attend. Students might show what they have done by publishing to a shared folder or to a school web site.

Edusoft’s English Discoveries program recognizes the motivational value of consequence. Firstly, on the platform, students are constantly exposed to their own progress. They see their test grade averages, their study completion statistics, and even their time-on-task data. The consequences of their efforts are immediately updated on the student’s homepage, providing them with a sense of their own accomplishment as they move along.

Secondly, the English Discoveries program provides teachers with lesson plans which suggest ways for students to share their work. These lesson plans include end-of-unit projects, many of which culminate in activities where students show off their knowledge.

The motivational value of consequence – the final C in the series – should be taken into consideration when planning learning activities.

This blog series on motivation is almost over. Turner and Paris’ Six C’s of Motivation – choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequence should be of great interest to all those involved in teaching and learning. If you have not read all six of the blog entries on this topic, we recommend that you do so. They are available for you here.

Turner and Paris’ Six C’s of Motivation (1995) identifies six characteristics of motivating contexts, namely, choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequences. Choice, Challenge, Control, and Collaboration were discussed in previous blog posts.

The fifth C is Constructing Meaning. What does this mean? Meaning is constructed when learners understand the value of what they are learning and can see how it may relate to them personally and to their lives in the real world. When a learner sees the relevance of what is being studied, willingness to invest time and effort increases.  Students’ motivation to learn increases when they consider the knowledge to be valuable (Wang & Han, 2001).

The program of study, and the way it is presented, can influence the learner’s identification with it and contribute to whether it becomes meaningful or not. For example, a teacher may wish students to read and understand an article dealing with exercise and health. This reading task may be assigned in different ways – more or less engaging:

Option 1: The teacher says, “Read the article carefully and answer the questions that follow. Then submit your answers.”

Option 2:  The teacher says. “Think about what physical exercise you did in the last 7 days and then list it accurately. Share and discuss this list with a partner. When you finish, read the article carefully, answer the questions, and identify information that may be especially relevant to yourself or to your partner. Share this with your partner.”

Option 2 is likely to make the task more relevant to the learner than option 1. Here the teacher helps the student construct meaning.

Edusoft’s English Discoveries program recognizes the importance of providing learners with content that is relevant to their lives. Firstly, the units cover a wide range of topics from everyday life – food, health, sport, friends, work, etc. Secondly, the units provide practice on what is required in day-to-day situations such as ordering food at a restaurant, making an appointment with a doctor, waiting to catch a plane, etc. Students absorb language which they can immediately use. Thirdly, once learners have control of the language around a specific topic, they are given open-ended tasks that tend to be personally meaningful. The online program provides open writing and speaking tasks. The materials for the teacher to use in the face-to-face lessons further personalize what is studied online. Handouts encourage the student to engage in the use of the target language.

It is common sense that when a learner studies something that is perceived as relevant, the process of learning becomes meaningful, and his/her motivation increases. Both the chosen program of study, as well as the teacher, can play vital roles in helping the learner construct meaning and approach the task of learning a language with enthusiasm, drive, and initiative.

Turner and Paris’ Six C’s of Motivation (1995) identify six characteristics of motivating contexts, namely, choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequences. Choice, Challenge, and Control were discussed in previous blog posts.

The fourth C, Collaboration, suggests that when students collaborate – work together with others in order to achieve a desired goal – they are more motivated to learn. Enabling and encouraging students to collaborate provides them with alternative sources of information. They share learning strategies, perspectives and can bounce ideas off each other. Vygotsky (1978) argued that communication and collaborative group work can enhance individuals’ thinking and learning especially when they depend on each other to reach a desired goal.

Collaboration may take many forms. Pair-work or group-work within a class is the most common. Students sometimes may be required to share information on a topic in preparation or follow-up for a class.  A teacher may provide a complex task to be completed and the students then divide the work up between themselves according to their specific strengths. This mimics an essential 21st-century life skill.

The Edusoft platform English Discoveries includes a Community Site which contains a Discussion Forum. The forum provides an online framework for collaboration. Teachers can set up forums for students within a class to discuss a topic. The topic may relate specifically to the content of a unit being studied or it may focus on broader issues. The forum can be extended to include other classes as well, or even a whole institution.

The English Discoveries blended program includes handouts for communicative classroom activities that require students to work together to achieve a common goal. Teachers using the blended program also have access to topic-based projects per unit in which student collaboration is required.

To sum up, students should be given tasks in which they are encouraged to collaborate since this is likely to increase their drive to succeed.

The third C in our motivation series, Challenge, suggests that when students are given challenging tasks, they are more motivated to learn. When the task is too easy, they get bored and disinterested.  Challenging, in language learning, may be the language level of the resource the student is confronted with (written text, audio/video, etc.) or the cognitive challenge of the task.

Regarding language level challenges, our platform provides a placement test to ensure that students enter a course at the appropriate language level to provide sufficient challenge to motivate and engage them. Teachers can also identify individual students for whom the level is too high (too challenging) or too low (not sufficiently challenging) by looking at the online reports and create an individualized learning path that will be on the level to engage the student.

Regarding the cognitive challenges, our platform provides tasks requiring lower order thinking and higher order thinking. The intensity of higher order thinking tasks (tasks requiring analysis, evaluation, or creation as opposed to simply remembering or understanding facts) increases towards the end of each course thereby, contributing to student motivation.

In all cases, the student must be given challenges with sufficient knowledge skills and support to be able to deal with them. When this is the case, student motivation is likely to be increased.

Turner and Paris’ Six C’s of Motivation (1995) identify six characteristics of motivating contexts, namely, choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequences. Choice was discussed in the previous blog posts.

The second C, Control, suggests that when students are given control over their own learning, they are more motivated to learn. Enabling and encouraging students to take control of their own learning, promotes their sense of independence, responsibility and self-confidence.

What can students control? The English Discoveries online platform gives the students control over numerous aspects of their learning. Firstly, students control when and where they complete their tasks. For some, they may work best at night while others in the mornings. Some might find it most comfortable to work at a desk while others may prefer to curl up on a couch with a laptop. Secondly, student have control over which support tools to use and how often. For example, they may wish to view a video numerous times until they fully understand it. They may use the online dictionary for words they have no idea the meaning of or “just to make sure” that their educated guess is correct. Thirdly, the option students have to set the degree of native language support to suit their own needs allows them to take control of the learning process. A student on a Basic level may require more native language support than a student at the Intermediate or Advanced levels. Students can choose what is best for them

In summary, when students are given control of their own learning, they gain independence, responsibility and self-confidence all of which increase motivation.

Motivation plays an important role in the success of any learning process. It improves persistence, effort and overall performance. Not all students are motivated the same way, so as educators we need to provide different ways to motivate our students. Turner and Paris’ Six C’s of Motivation (1995) attempts to address this need by identifying six characteristics of motivating contexts, namely, choice, challenge, control, collaboration, constructing meaning, and consequences.  The first C, choice, suggests that when students are given more choice in the classroom and the tasks they are engaged in, they are more motivated to learn. Specifically, when students are offered choices and allowed to select a particular type of assignment based on personal interest, their motivation to complete the task increases. With this in mind, our general English learning courses have all been designed with the explicit intention of providing a wide selection of learning materials that would be of maximum interest to today’s learners. Students can complete their online assignment at their own pace and their own time. They can review the material as often as they need and check their answers before the test section. Magazine articles allow choice of topic to match the students’ interest and level of difficulty. Additionally, students can set the degree of language support to English Only, Low- or Full Support. As we apply the Six C’s of Motivation to instructional design, it is important to remember that these strategies are extremely flexible and can be modified and adapted as needed.

English Discoveries, the interactive English Learning platform for maximum performance
Imagine trying to learn a foreign language on your own, without a teacher or technology to help you. Imagine how you would struggle with spelling, pronunciation, the intricacies of grammar and the mystery of idiomatic words and phrases that sound peculiar in translation.  Fortunately, thanks to Edusoft and its interactive English learning platform, ENGLISH DISCOVERIES, no one needs to learn English in a linguistic vacuum. Technology has expanded to the point where it can be an integral feature of the instruction that needs to accompany successful English language teaching. This has been a remarkable advance in education as we reap the benefits of the way that technology has transformed communication.

Teachers and students interact with English Discoveries
By creating an English language platform that provides the tools that instructors need, Edusoft has empowered teachers to fully interact with students to promote learning. Interactive learning that allows teachers to connect with their students, assess their progress, and develop a learning plan that meets student needs. Teachers use the reports they receive to gauge the class level of understanding as a whole, while also finding out which students are moving ahead faster and which need more time and help. The format is easy to use for teachers, which makes the platform the most effective English training program available.

Why English Discoveries is superior for interactive English learning
With its automated self-study modules for writing and speaking, the instantaneous feedback optimizes productivity. This, in turn, minimizes the problem of resource allocation and maximizes the opportunity to reach established goals. English Discoveries leverages benchmark evaluation and certification tools that have been developed by Educational Testing Services (ETS), the world’s largest and most prominent private educational assessment and research organization.

Assessment for Learning is the Foundation for Language Study 

No matter what field a student is pursuing, learning starts at the beginning. Once the foundation is firmly established, a student can move on to the next level. Students learn at their own paces and a well-developed learning platform allows for this individualized method of mastering a subject. If a student is rushed into a higher level before successfully learning the beginning stage, the entire foundation of the instruction is flawed. Edusoft, with a talented team of experts, understands that assessment for learning, which demonstrates the progress that a student is making at each step, is vital for successfully accomplishing the task. The feedback that teachers receive from our learning platform is what allows a student to progress at his or her own pace, conquering a subject in stages.

English Discoveries Provides Assessment for Learning Feedback
With summative and formative tests that are automatically scored, English Discoveries provides the building blocks for a solid foundation of instruction. Instant feedback enables teachers to pinpoint the advances of their students in the subject matter thanks to the platform’s results-driven tools. Instructors welcome the opportunity to concentrate their energies on planning their lessons and personalizing their interaction with their students. How a student with the previous lesson did tells the teacher how the student will do with the next learning stage.

The Experts Behind the Development of an Assessment for Learning Program
Edusoft understands that in order for a program to be a success, it must be developed by experts who know their subject matter. As a subsidiary of ETS, which is the world’s largest private educational assessment and research organization, Edusoft is built upon a foundation of expertise. Our staff is made up of pedagogical consultants, technical experts and account managers. In their capable hands, the project management, reporting analysis, and support services deliver a superior level of customer satisfaction. Through our high-performing assessment for learning techniques, language  students and teachers can both count on a complete instructional package that comes with hands-on help.

Edusoft can teach you how to learn English
In order to have the expertise that’s necessary to deliver quality language instruction, the learning platform must represent the highest level of skill in that field. People who are interested in how to learn English are looking for a program that will prove to be a satisfactory return on investment for their time.  They’re seeking professional experts who will provide an instructional platform that makes efficient use of all the tools currently available, including technology. They want to be able to gauge their progress so that they know where they are advancing and where they are struggling. They’re looking for Edusoft.

Edusoft and English Discoveries
Teachers and students alike praise English Discoveries, with its 10 CEFR-aligned general English courses that deliver state-of-the-art, video-based speaking and listening activities with automated speech and writing feedback. Edusoft knows how to get the most out of interactive technology so that students can build their confidence as they progress through standard, advanced, or elite-level requirements. Interactive learning is a stimulating method for engaging students as they discover how to learn English at their own pace.

Edusoft, the experts in how to learn English
Edusoft President and CEO Rafi Moran is the leader of a team of experts committed to ensuring that the company will deliver and develop educational solutions that are built on the collective knowledge of the Edusoft team. Since becoming CEO, Moran has guided the Edusoft into consistent growth that has seen the company evolve into a major player in the field of technology-based solutions for English language learning. With proven management excellence and the expertise of international specialists in education, technology, product development and project management, the Edusoft team has been collaborating for more than a decade. Together, our experts bring their fifty years of combined experience in technological and educational industries to every student who relies on us to show them how to learn English.

English Training Online is Part of the Learning Revolution
For those who are of an age to remember the way we did things before the Internet became an everyday part of our existence, the changes have been dramatic. Our online lives take place where we live, where we work, where we eat, travel, learn and shop—in short, it’s impossible to imagine how our world would change if we no longer had access to the Internet. English training online is one of the ways in which education has been transformed by the Internet and the merger has become one of the most dynamic formats for instruction that we have ever known.  As education becomes more and more accessible, those who would, in the past, not have been able to learn a new language now have access to the revolutionary new format provided by English training online.

English Discoveries, the Learning Platform for English Training Online
Edusoft was wise to name its transformational English language program English Discoveries, because thanks to English training online, the process of learning English has truly become an instructional voyage of discovery. The language classroom, once confined to a traditional educational site, is now welcoming students from vastly different walks of life. The diplomat who wishes to learn English in order to advance in a government position joins the corporate employee who recognizes the role of English in the global market, while the student who lives on one continent and plans to pursue studies on another pursues English training online in order to do so.

How Edusoft has Transformed English Training Online
By utilizing cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology in our learning platform, Edusoft has created the most innovative English training online program available. English Discoveries comes with 10 CEFR-aligned English courses designed to cover the range of student abilities. Automated speech and writing feedback alerts teachers to where successes and struggles are taking place so that they know which students need a little more help and which are ready to move forward. Students progress at the pace that allows for comprehensive learning in an instructional environment which is customized for their ultimate success.

The World is Seeking the Right English Learning Program
Different languages have been dominant throughout the history of civilization, but before we begin to talk about the reign of Latin or French, we need to remember several important facts. While scholars of the Renaissance shared their learning in Latin, and the intelligentsia of the Age of Enlightenment communicated in French, those were  not global languages; they predominated in Western society. Today, thanks to media   and technology, English, which has been a dominant language since the nineteenth century, is now a global tongue.  Its international presence is as likely to manifest itself in the lyrics of a pop song as it is in a scientific abstract. As English has become the language spoken by the world, we’ve seen an enormous surge in the number of people in academia, government, and the corporate sector who have placed a priority on finding an English learning program that will carve out a pathway to success in their fields.

Numbers Don’t Lie: English Discoveries is the Favorite English Learning Platform
More than two million people in thirty different countries have opted to learn English with the help of Edusoft, the experts behind the English Discoveries platform. They’ve benefitted from the way that the program allows teachers to customize the course so that it’s in step with the pace of the student’s learning. Customization tools provide the opportunity for teachers to use Edusoft’s content building blocks or to develop their own content. The process is dynamic and interactive; teachers track the progress of students, evaluate the outcomes, and determine what’s next in the learning progression.

English Language Learning for Students
Key to the success of any English language learning program is the way that it engages students. English Discoveries offers a wide range of formative and summative tests that are automatically scored. The feedback is instantaneous so that teachers know how each student is faring. With this level of assessment for learning, students can be confident that they’ve mastered one level and are ready for the next.

English Language Training by Edusoft Provides Results-Driven Tools
Edusoft is the best friend a teacher could ask for. That’s because our dedication to providing complete English language training enables teachers to put their talents to work while employing our results-driven tools. Teachers are driven to invigorate students with a sense of accomplishment and the confidence that comes from achieving mastery over a subject. With English Discoveries, the   instruction process creates a synergy between teacher and student that empowers both. The best instructors were born to teach. What Edusoft does is provide the tools and techniques that turn a classroom into an engaging laboratory of learning.

Using the Teacher Dashboard for English Language Training
Teachers appreciate the versatility of the English Discoveries platform because it serves as the command and control center of the Edusoft data-driven learning environment. Teachers can use the existing content building blocks to create their lessons, while still having the option to develop and deliver content on their own. Being able to focus on student accomplishments lets the teachers channel their efforts into activities such as curriculum planning and personalized students interactions.

Creating a Dynamic Environment for English Language Training
Thanks to the user-friendly management tools from English Discoveries, students reach proficiency across all communication modes as the online learning experience fortifies their skills. With a classroom that’s lively and teachers who have been trained to make the best use of technology, English language training is strengthened by technology’s ability to enhance instructional interaction. As teachers track the progress of each student, they can assess the ability of the student to absorb the material that’s being conveyed. Some students may need more assistance, and that’s okay, because the final goal is complete mastery of the subject. The in-class materials integrate with the online content, encouraging students to apply what they’ve learned as they make strides toward the next level.

The Complex Nature of English Language Teaching
Teaching a subject in one’s own language can be challenging enough. But teaching concepts in a language that the teacher and students are both fluent in is much simpler than the complexity of English language teaching. Students who are striving to learn English, an intricate and often confusing language for non-native speakers, can seem to present insurmountable challenges. That’s the reason why it’s necessary to choose the right program that meets the needs of the teachers so that they, in turn, can meet the needs of their students. By choosing the program that people all over the globe have had success with, teachers can trust that they’re using the right tools for success.

How Edusoft Helps Instructors Excel in English Language Teaching
A good teacher knows that the secret of good teaching is to engage students. Attentiveness to their progress and an alert response when they are struggling are ways that a teacher interacts with students. Having an exciting curriculum that makes use of cutting-edge technology in an interactive format lifts the classroom experience from routine to dynamic.  English Discoveries, with its state-of-the-art, and video-based speaking and listening activities, motivates students to excel by piquing their interest. With 10 CEFR-aligned English language courses and automated feedback that delivers immediate reporting, English Discoveries allows a teacher to nimbly address the students’ individual needs.

Edusoft’s Educational Qualities Enhance English Language Teaching
Teachers work hard at their profession. They can trust that Edusoft, with our twenty-five years  of experience in the English language teaching field, will help them do their work by providing comprehensive methods, on both a large- and a small-scale, to support them. As a subsidiary of Educational Testing Services (ETS), the company that’s known throughout the world for the TOFEL^® and TOEIC^® exams, Edusoft is highly regarded for its quality pedagogical performance.

If you’re in the market for a job promotion, academic prowess, or government advancement, there’s an excellent chance that you’re thinking about adding English language skills to your repertoire. That’s a smart move. English is a language spoken in the world’s centers of business, diplomacy, and education; the person who speaks and understands the language is the one who is going to be a promising candidate for progress in his or her field. Now you need to decide which English language learning program is the one that will deliver the results you’re looking for.

Choose Edusoft for your English Language Learning
Why not choose the program that provides English language learning service to more than thirty countries? Another reason to choose Edusoft is because of our credentials as a subsidiary of Educational Testing Services (ETS), the world’s largest private educational assessment and research organization. ETS is also the maker of the renowned TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests. At Edusoft, we specialize in meeting the English language learning needs of students in the corporate, government and educational fields.

Choose Edusoft, the Choice of Experts in Education
English Discoveries, the Edusoft platform for English language learning, has won the acclaim of representatives from parent-teacher associations, boards of education, and schools with excellent reputations.  What makes English Discoveries so effective as a teaching tool is the innovative, interactive platform that combines technology with the most respected pedagogical research.

 Choose Edusoft for Expertise in English Language Learning
Edusoft brings a staff of experts and over a quarter-century of expertise in the field of English language learning. We provide a skilled staff comprised of experts in project management, pedagogy, technology, service implementation, marketing and sales and we bring all of that knowledge and skill to your classroom. We know how important it is to learn English, the language that the world understands, and we know how to help you refine your skills so that you can move forward in your career.

English Language Learning Online is Language Instruction for the Modern Era
As each generation acclimates to the role of technology in society, we see how much of daily life takes place online. Shopping, dinner reservations, even telemedicine are all aspects of daily life which are now commonplace as online activities. It’s the same for online classes; high school and university students are quite comfortable taking classes without having to be in a traditional classroom format. English language learning online is another way in which we have maximized the ability of the Internet to expand our educational horizons. Edusoft, which for its twenty-five years has thrived by staying ahead of the curve, has found that the marriage of technology and instruction has led to the birth of a dynamic, innovative way to teach English. Our program is in use in more than thirty countries, which proves that Edusoft has developed a truly global English language learning online program.

Edusoft, the Global Leader in English Language Learning Online
When you think about it, Edusoft’s role as a leader in English language learning online makes perfect sense. It starts with our mission statement, which vows to deliver effective, technology-based, English language learning and assessment solutions to the international market through the use of blended and distance learning, proven methodologies, and state-of-the-art technology. We’re a subsidiary of Educational Testing Services; ETS is the world’s largest private educational assessment and research organization, as well as the maker of TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests.

Successful English Language Learning Online uses English Discoveries
English Discoveries has earned the favor of teachers because it provides them with a complete set of user-friendly management tools so that their effectiveness is maximized, and student success is assured. With the Teacher Dashboard, instructors are able to monitor the class as a whole as well as individual student progress, which generating real-time reports that track test scores and the time students spend on the tasks.

Technology Connects the World the e-Learning English
In our interconnected world, the geography that separates countries by borders and territorial boundaries is united through the technology which renders those lines of demarcation meaningless. Thanks to technology, anyone can learn English, a language which is proven to be a cohesive power that links people from distant parts of the world, different cultures, and unfamiliar traditions. Thanks to E-learning English, planet Earth is one enormous classroom, binding students in a teaching program that’s tailored to capture their interest.

Using Technology as a Prime Tool for e-Learning English
Our online content provides the foundation for the workbooks, practice assignments and group exercises that are part of the learning process for students. Our academic and vocational materials for the instructor include teacher guides, lesson plans, syllabi, supplemental classroom activities and answer keys.

e-Learning English with Technology as a Teaching Tool
For students learning now, technology is an integrated part of their routines. Many have grown up with electronics as part of their education, workplace, and entertainment. That’s why it makes sense to utilize technology as a teaching tool.  Old-time teaching formats won’t work with a 21^st century classroom. As Emily Albadán, Director of the Department of Languages Universidad del Istmo says when explaining why English Discoveries is such a success, “Our previous platform didn’t meet our needs, and we needed something really dynamic and different, and that’s what English Discoveries gave us.”

Why the World Loves e-Learning English with Edusoft
At Edusoft, meeting client needs is a priority. Helping the world learn English is our goal and we’re happy to say that it’s a goal we’re meeting. See what Constanza Rodríguez, Coordinator of the Languages Institución Universitaria Politécnico Grancolombiano, says about why English Discoveries is such a popular tool for learning English. “With English Discoveries, students are highly motivated, and their accomplishments have increased. Teachers love the platform because it is user-friendly, and administrators love English Discoveries because we have the support we need.”

Assessment for Learning: Learning and Knowing What You’ve Learned
There are many reasons to take a class in a subject of interest. Couples might decide take instruction in ballroom dancing because it seems like a fun thing to do.  Foodies might take a cooking class to polish up their culinary skills. But if you want to advance in your field, taking an English language class is a smart move. Learning a language that’s as popular as English can help to fast forward a career or make the difference in a promotion. But it’s not enough just to take the class; the goal is to learn the language. That’s why assessment for learning is so important. Knowing what a student has mastered and what remains to be learned helps a teacher steer the class through an effective lesson plan.

Creating Feedback for Instruction with Assessment for Learning
When a class gets underway, the teacher’s level is vastly superior to that of the students. Taking a class won’t turn a student into a teacher, but it does shrink the gap between what the teacher is teaching and what the student needs to learn. The balance between the two ends is the way for a student to gain confidence as language skills are acquired. Learning is a progression, not a collection of discrete, unrelated segments. The feedback that is a key component of Edusoft’s English Discoveries platform is the driving force in a student’s progress. AFL inspires a student’s confidence as, lesson by lesson, the distance between the starting point and ending goal diminishes.

Feedback is the Key to Effective Assessment for Learning
How can a student learn if he or she doesn’t receive feedback? Edusoft is a subsidiary of the Educational Testing Service and has leveraged the benchmark and certification tools developed by ETS. Edusoft recognizes the importance of feedback and has established formative and summative tests that to monitor personal progress in reaching key milestones along the path to the ultimate goal. As teachers assemble the data on their students’ progress, they are able to measure the weaknesses and strengths in the student profile so that the proper adjustments can be made.

E-Learning English Teaches with Technology
Can you imagine trying to teach without technology? Our classrooms have readily adopted the many advantages that come with an environment where learning is dynamic thanks to the advances that technology makes readily available. Of course, in order to be successful, instruction relies upon the skills of trained teachers who have an aptitude for imparting knowledge to students. But teachers need help in order to focus their efforts on the students; not all students learn at the same pace or in the same manner. Edusoft Ltd. realizes this and can personalize lessons with the many benefits of an E-Learning English format.

English Discoveries is the Superior E-Learning English Platform
Today’s students are accustomed to having technology as a learning tool, just as today’s teachers rely upon technology to deliver lessons that employ modern methods of instruction. With both teachers and students adept at using technology, it just makes sense for Edusoft to offer an E-learning English platform that provides teachers with the tools they need to offer instruction in a format with which students are most comfortable. With English Discoveries, all of the practice assignments, group exercises, workbooks, lesson plans, syllabi, teacher guides, supplemental classroom activities and answer keys build upon the content that’s available online. By supporting the efforts of students to learn with methods that suit their abilities, the instructional process builds upon layers of success; as one level is achieved, the student can advance to the next one. Because of the swift feedback, teachers quickly discern how their students are progressing and how the process needs to be adapted for different students.

Edusoft, an E-Learning English Partner with Laureate International Universities
Edusoft’s affinity for distance learning has caught the attention of campuses all over the world. In fact, by partnering with Laureate International Universities, Edusoft is able to provide E-learning English to students on almost 70 campus-based and online universities located in 25 different countries. Twenty-five different countries, with a variety of different languages of their own, all looking to Edusoft to provide the E-learning English program that they’re seeking.

Learning the Language the World Wants to Speak
In the medieval era, Latin was the language of the elite, but only the clergy and the nobility had the means to learn it. During the Age of Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, the most educated scholars studied French so that they could take part in the Western world’s intellectual network. Now, the language to learn is English and anyone can learn it, regardless of their family background or their social status. But that doesn’t mean that anyone can teach it.  When choosing a program on how to learn English, choose a company that has built an esteemed reputation with its credentials. Edusoft, Ltd. is a subsidiary of ETS, which is the world’s largest private educational assessment and research organization. With more than two million users across the globe, Edusoft has proven its ability to show the world how to learn English.

Edusoft Shows How to Learn English
When our ancestors wanted to learn a foreign language, they were dependent upon a tutor who might have known the language but may not have been skilled in teaching it. Edusoft has assembled a skilled staff and an interactive platform to provide results-driven evaluation tools, personalized student-teacher interaction and curriculum planning. Edusoft is able to show students how to learn English. With the Edusoft flagship product, English Discoveries, students benefit from 10 general, CEFR-aligned English language courses that are based upon field-proven pedagogical methods.

In order to maximize the outcomes of a student’s learning, the English Discoveries platform provides automatically-scored formative and summative tests that include automated speech and writing feedback along with a broad array of scoring techniques. While teachers concentrate on instructional activities that offer greater value for their students, the students benefit from the cutting-edge technological learning design that demonstrates how to learn English for students who come from an academic, corporate, or government background.

Living in a period of time when learning is open to all regardless of their birth or background is the best time to find out how to learn English, because Edusoft is the modern platform that maximizes a student’s ability to learn.

English Language Learning Online is the World’s Most Popular Curriculum
Online learning makes education accessible to people who might otherwise not have access to instruction. Thanks to technology, borders vanish, miles disappear, and teaching has a wider audience than in any other time in human history.  Language has also, because of technological advances, become more accessible to people who live very far from the original source of that language. The global world in which we live has also witnessed the rise of language as a common, unifying bond among populations who do not necessarily have anything else in common but a familiarity with a certain language. This is particularly true of language which in many cases may be the deciding factor in whether or not you succeed in your university studies or rise to a desired position in your employment. With English language learning online, more than two million people have benefitted from adding a new vocabulary to their resumes.

English Language Learning Online: A Growing Need in Today’s Educational Market
When teachers and students at Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC) undertook the English language learning online program from Edusoft, they confirmed the words of Hernan Garber, Edusoft Ltd.’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. ““The demand for effective distance learning solutions is a growing need in today’s educational market.”  After receiving two-and-one-half days of training that included an in-depth presentation of the English Discoveries platform and management system, the teachers appreciated the micro-training sessions that let them put what they had learned into practice.

The Edusoft Staff Excels in English Language Learning Online
More than eight thousand students at UPC will be learning English through English Discoveries, the interactive platform created by Edusoft’s staff. The highly recommended program, praised by schools, boards of education and parent-teacher associations, is user-friendly and provides fresh, current topics. The Edusoft staff, with its impressive experience in both face-to-face and online learning, are skilled at presenting the most relevant strategies and procedures that help teachers gain confidence and enthusiasm in using the program. When teachers are enthusiastic, students are eager to learn.

A remarkable revolution has taken place in the world of communication, one that has had a powerful and transformational effect on every aspect of modern life. The seven billion (and counting) inhabitants of our planet live in a time when miles have become meaningless because, thanks to the Internet, distance is no longer a factor in how we learn, work, shop, or entertain ourselves. We learn of the events on other continents within minutes after they take place. We live in one country and pursue a degree from another. We buy products from a global marketplace of vendors. Boundaries and borders are no longer only navigable by passports as we travel the globe without, in many cases, leaving our living rooms. That ease of travel has pervaded the educational sphere as well. It’s easy to understand how learning English, the international language, has now become so much easier, thanks to the opportunity for E-learning English.

Edusoft, Pioneering E-Learning English
But we can’t learn a new language just by going to Google. Speaking English is a skill and in order to make sure that that skill is taught correctly, students and teachers want to be sure that they are using a platform that will impart the lessons with professional expertise.

That proven platform is English Discoveries, Edusoft’s complete English language learning solution that brings the classroom to life no matter where the classroom is located. All of the workbooks, practice assignments, and group exercises build upon the online content. E-learning English, when presented in the Edusoft format, enriches learning by encouraging students to apply what they have learned, so that they are inspired to achieve the next level of language mastery. Teachers utilize the academic and vocational instructor materials such as lesson plans, syllabi, teacher guides and supplemental classroom activities and answer keys.

Using the Edusoft Platform for Global E-Learning English
Edusoft has taken its platform to all corners of the globe. An Edusoft trainer went to Peru to train 85 Peruvian University of Applied Sciences English teachers and coordinators. The two-and-a-half-day session included an in-depth discussion of English Discoveries, the Edusoft platform and management system. Representatives from the Vietnam National University took part in a three-day seminar, Leveraging Technology to Improve Learning Outcomes, and participated in sessions exploring the success factors for the implementation of technology-enhanced EFL programs. All across the globe, the Edusoft teaching platform is proving its effectiveness in E-learning English, opening up opportunities in commerce, academia, and government for students who are eager to learn the language that the world uses to conduct its business.

In addition, Edusoft is partnering with Laureate International Universities, the largest network of degree-granting higher education institutions. With a presence in 25 countries, and nearly 70 campus-based and online universities in those countries, Laureate offers degrees both graduate and undergraduate to more than one million students all over the world. Those numbers demonstrate why Laureate sought an effective and established leader in E-learning English. The Laureate network will use the English language learning solutions of the English Discoveries platform.

When pursuing the most effective E-learning English platform, choose Edusoft, the proven leader in English language instruction.

The most effective learning format enables a student to become more actively involved in the process. Rather than viewing each test and assignment as a single entity, a student is encouraged to recognize the progression of learning. Assessment for learning (AFL), an approach to teaching and learning which creates feedback that is used to improve the student’s performance, inspires students with confidence as they steadily master the subject. AFL closes the gap between the learner’s current level and the intended goal that the student seeks to reach. As students become engaged in the assessment for learning process, they actually begin to think like a teacher, and their ultimate goal becomes clearer in their minds. Teachers with skill and insight plan assignments which assist the students in accomplishing this aim. When the subject matter is learning the English language, teachers need to have the right resources at hand in order to provide guidance for their students.

That’s why Edusoft Ltd. is so effective in its global mission to deliver effective, technology-based, English language solutions based on an assessment for learning approach. Edusoft is a subsidiary of Educational Testing Services, better known as ETS, which is the world’s largest private educational assessment and research organization. As the creator of the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests to evaluate readiness to study in an American university, or to gauge a student’s grasp of workplace English, respectively, ETS is renowned for its impressive assessment for learning tools.

How Edusoft Meets Its Assessment for Learning Goals
Through the use of blended and distance learning, state-of-the-art technology, and proven methodologies that draw on proven academic research, Edusoft’s English Discoveries platform leverages the benchmark evaluation and certification tools that ETS has developed. English Discoveries utilizes a wide variety of formative and summative tests to evaluate the performance of a student, and monitor progress toward key milestones. The platform also features automated self-study modules that deliver instant feedback. This, in turn, optimizes productivity and gives educators the ability to focus on an assessment for learning approach, by gathering information about the students’ achievements, weaknesses, and strengths, in order to inform instructional decisions and make adjustments if needed.

Edusoft’s Credentials for Delivering the Best in Assessment for Learning
Edusoft Ltd., with more than 25 years of expertise in the assessment for learning field, serves educational, corporate, and government sectors in more than 30 countries across the globe. We specialize in comprehensive learning solutions, both on the large-and small-scale, that are based upon the most current interactive technology and pedagogical approaches that have been tested and proven effective in the field.

The Edusoft Team: Committed to Maximum Success
The Edusoft team is comprised of experts in the areas of pedagogy, sales, project management and service implementation, technology, and marketing. With a foundation of expertise to count on, we can provide support every step of the way so that our clients will benefit from our hands-on approach to English language instruction and assessment for learning. We are able to customize our platform so that its effectiveness is uniquely tailored to suit the particular needs of our clients.

When you learn English with Edusoft, you’re signing up for a learning platform that teaches the language that people are using today, for a career that will take them successfully into the future.

Technology has provided a dynamic new frontier for teachers and students, blazing a path that enables education to be ready to meet the needs of the 21^st century with 21^st century tools. As the role of the instructor changes rapidly in modern times, technology needs to have an immediate reflex for providing instruction that enhances the role of the teacher. Edusoft’s teacher training provides hands-on instruction to guide teachers in incorporating technology into the classroom in order to create the most effective interactive English learning environment.

Knowing that the field-proven pedagogical approaches that Edusoft offers are supported by the most current academic research, teachers can teach with complete confidence. Edusoft understands that in order for technology to work at its best, the interaction between teacher and student must be supported. It’s through that interactive English learning that instructors are able to fully convey the essence of a language, whether the student is learning for an academic reason or a commercial purpose. The interactive English learning technology that Edusoft has developed is the most effective way for newcomers to English to become comfortable with the language. Interaction between teachers and students makes the educational process a lively one, so that both parties are engaged in the instruction. With that mutual engagement, the obvious result is success.

Edusoft’s English Discoveries, an Interactive English Learning Platform
English Discoveries offers 10 CEFR-aligned general English language courses, designed to suit a broad range of learning abilities.. The interactive platform delivers a cutting-edge learning experience that features engaging content, powerful management tools, and technologies that are truly interactive. Student learning outcomes are maximized through the state-of-the-art, video-based speaking and listening activities, the automated speech and writing feedback, and the wide range of scoring technologies.

What Teachers and Students Like about Edusoft’s Interactive English Learning Platform
Surveys submitted by students who have taken the courses reveal their appreciation for the consistent process of learning in a manner that enables them to improve their language skills and vocabulary. For the teachers, the value comes from the ease of usage. The program is easy to manage, the reports are easy to obtain, and the progress of the students is easy to track. Being able to interact with the students and transfer knowledge to them while keeping them motivated is of special value to the dedicated teachers using the product. The teachers are motivated because, throughout the platform, they find different solutions that students can work on without getting bored. This high level of engagement keeps the students studying for longer periods of time. The more they study, the more they learn, and then the instruction becomes a commitment because students are remembering and using what they’ve learned. The interactive English learning process enhances their skills with repeat usage, boosting their confidence and positively reinforcing their efforts.

Who knew that interactive English learning could be this easy?

Interested? Learn about Edusoft’s E- Learning English

We have all become so accustomed to the ways that technology has transformed our lives that we sometimes fail to acknowledge how those technological advances have enhanced, not replaced, the role that human beings continue to play in so many fields. As advantageous as it is to achieve our goals with a click of the mouse, we should remember how much we continue to depend upon the people who facilitate the tasks that utilize technology. In no field is this more apparent than in education. Teachers are grateful for the ways that cutting-edge technology gives their classrooms a vibrancy that encourages learning. Students learn in a manner that is acclimated to their own familiarity with technology.

Edusoft Ltd. understands this partnership between people and technology. As a matter of fact, we facilitate it by providing the best tools available for students seeking to learn English and the teachers who are providing instruction. English Discoveries, our platform for teaching English, employs a full set of user-friendly management tools for teachers to use so that they may maximize effectiveness and ensure success for their students.

Why English Discoveries is the ideal Platform for English Language Training
Edusoft’s user-friendly, data-driven learning environment expands the toolkit that teachers can use to impart their lessons to their students. The teacher dashboard is the English language training command and control center where educators are able to monitor the progress of the class as a whole and the individual student. Reports are generated in real-time so that teachers can track the completion of tasks and the amount of time that the students spent in doing them, as well as test scores.

Our customization tools make it possible for teachers to create lessons from existing content-building blocks without giving up the option of developing their own content. This dynamic option demonstrates why Edusoft’s English language training is so popular with teachers who welcome the flexibility of accessing resources to supplement their own material.

Optimizing Teacher Effectiveness in English Language Training

The computer-based writing and speaking exercises offering by Edusoft’s English Discoveries provide self-paced learning with instant feedback on performance. As a result, students build skills that will be utilized in a range of learning scenarios, nurturing student autonomy. At the same time, teachers monitor the progress of their students while they are concentrating on curriculum planning and individualized student interaction. Our customized training program shows teachers, instructors, faculty, and administrators how to capitalize on Edusoft’s best-practice and blended and distance learning models.  English Discoveries offers hands-on instruction for an investment in an organization’s most valuable asset, its teachers, by giving them the tools they need to excel in their efforts.

Edusoft Means Excellence in English Language Training
Edusoft has over 25 years of experience in the technological and educational fields.  Edusoft’s team of pedagogical, sales, service implementation, project management, technology and marketing experts are all dedicated to ensuring maximum success of every project, from start to finish.

With Edusoft’s expert team, you can know your English language training is the fast track to fluency.

When you’re a company serving educational, government, and corporate sectors in more than 30 different countries, you quickly learn how to circumvent obstacles that would get in the way of providing English language learning to an international audience. Edusoft Ltd. has undertaken the mission of delivering effective, technology-based, English language learning and assessment solutions to markets all over the globe, by using blended and distance learning methodologies. English training online is the most productive way of providing language instruction to students who are no longer confined solely to the classroom. Now that classrooms are equipped to deal with the advances provided by technology, Edusoft’s classroom is an international campus.

Edusoft presence world-wide in English Training Online
As a subsidiary of Educational Testing Services (ETS), Edusoft Ltd. has become a global leader in technology-based English language learning and assessment solutions. ETS is the world’s largest private educational assessment and research organization, so managing a global market is a natural fit for Edusoft. As part of our marketing outreach to the world, we have ongoing international partnerships. You’ll see the success of our partnerships in such far-away locales as Peru and Vietnam; you’ll see our platform being used from Russia to China to Australia. Just as the English language has traveled across the continents and oceans to become the dominant language in the international professional realm, Edusoft products have traveled to the same destinations to provide English training online to students seeking success in their careers.

English Discoveries is the English Training Online Platform for Success
All over the world, prestigious schools, boards of education and parent-teacher associations have selected English Discoveries for English training online, using the field-proven pedagogical approaches that are supported by the most current academic research. English Discoveries has 10 CEFR-aligned general English courses to help students meet the national curriculum demands for standard, advanced, and elite-level requirements. Learning outcomes are optimized with features such as state-of-the-art, video-based speaking and listening activities that offer automated speech and writing feedback.

Educational leaders benefit from the academic and vocational instructor materials that English Discoveries offers, including lesson plans, teachers’ guides, syllabi, and answer keys, all of which supplement the activities available in the classroom. English training online is today’s answer to language instruction that can be facilitated no matter where the student is located.

English Training Online serving a range of educational, government, and corporate sectors
Since no two online English training programs are the same, Edusoft provides ultimate flexibility by tailoring the English Discoveries platform to the meet needs of all English training online programs. Whether  it be educational, government or corporate sectors, clients world-wide have discovered that English is easily accessible thanks to Edusoft’s English training online platform. Because Edusoft’s English Discoveries solution leverages benchmark evaluation and certification tools that have been developed by ETS, students and teachers are confident that the instruction they receive provides fast-track access to a promising future in their chosen career.

Learn more about English Discoveries