Summary of the differences between online English learning and traditional study
- The online courses use exactly the same teachers who deliver face-to-face lessons.
- All the teachers are well-trained to deliver online lessons.
- The techniques applied in the face to face courses are the same as the online ones.
- Directors can observe and drop into lessons to check the quality
- Lessons can be recorded and be viewed at a later date
- Teachers get together for regular workshops on online teaching.
- Recordings and slides can be sent out to students after the lesson has finished.
How does online study compare with face-to-face study?
The classes still consist of students from all over the world, therefore there are the same intercultural exchanges happening in the online classes. The online lessons have the same Bridge principles: They are as communicative as possible. The lessons are organised to maximize interaction between students and each other and the students and their teacher.
What are the downsides of online lessons?
It can be difficult to answer this question as our classes are working well! Perhaps students coming late can be difficult, but that this also happens in face-to-face classes, furthermore, with online Zoom classes, teachers can keep student in a waiting room so they join at an appropriate moment for the class.
We understand that the technology side of online lessons can be a bit scary for students, especially students who are not technologically minded. However, we think that the teaching side of the lesson is so much more important than the technology side of things. We tell our students that all they need for their online lesson is a piece of paper and a pen because the lesson will not be too technologically challenging, the teaching is more important.
We are able to guide our students through any technical issues they may be experiencing.
Some of our teachers have said that they actually prefer teaching online.
How is online teaching better than face-to-face teaching?
One of our teachers discovered that monitoring for errors and upgrades is easier done online by dropping into breakout rooms and listening to the students speaking. In a classroom, there could be 10 voices in your ears at the same time which can be distracting.
On the topic of error correction and upgrading language, we aim to make the most of the digital environment by using a note software to note down student errors in real-time, then share his screen with students to give them feedback. Our teachers also e-mail students a copy of this work after class so that they also have a record.