{"id":11912,"date":"2020-12-24T07:43:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T14:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=11912"},"modified":"2020-12-24T07:43:50","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T14:43:50","slug":"blended-learning-esl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/blended-learning-esl\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Blended Learning in ESL and How Can I Implement It in the Online Class?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether you’re teaching English online<\/a> with an established tutoring company or working as a freelance online teacher, it’s important to have an understanding of blended learning in ESL, which is also called hybrid learning, since it’s a format now used more commonly than ever in the virtual classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to teaching, you\u2019ll want to get initial training and qualification with a TEFL certificate<\/a>. You can explore our online TEFL courses<\/a> to get started!<\/em><\/p>\n

What is blended learning in the online ESL class?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Blended, or hybrid, learning is a type of instructional environment for online students that combines what is called “synchronous” and “asynchronous” learning.\u00a0<\/span>What do these terms mean?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Synchronous learning<\/h4>\n

Synchronous learning means that students and teachers meet at the same time online via a virtual learning platform (which is often called teaching in “real-time”). They may not need to complete any classwork outside of the scheduled meeting time. <\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if you took an hour-long, live Spanish class in which you used video to learn and practice the language with your tutor, you would be in a synchronous learning setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Asynchronous learning<\/h4>\n

Asynchronous learning means that online students do not meet at a specific time with the teacher; they work offline and complete assignments within a deadline set by the teacher. Work is submitted electronically. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you’ve taken a Bridge online TEFL\/TESOL course<\/a>, you’re familiar with the asynchronous learning environment. In these online courses, trainees don’t meet with their tutor at certain times but rather worked independently on assignments at their own pace. Tutors provide feedback, but not face-to-face in real-time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you might imagine, there are benefits to each of these methods for both teachers and students. For that reason, a blend of the two is common.<\/p>\n

Learn more about these terms and other concepts unique to the virtual classroom in the Bridge Specialized Certificate courses in teaching English online.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

What are the benefits of using a blended learning approach in the online ESL classroom?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are many benefits to taking a blended approach in your online ESL classes that combines synchronous with asynchronous learning. The biggest one is that it allows you to include all the positive aspects of both synchronous and asynchronous learning and that it lets you skip most of the negative traits. Hybrid teaching ESL also helps you optimize the face-to-face time you have with your students.\u00a0<\/span>Let\u2019s take a look at the advantages of a blended online English class format.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blended learning allows students to practice all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

One big challenge of teaching English online is that although students can practice speaking and listening, it\u2019s more difficult to provide them with reading and writing practice. However, the blended approach allows your students to practice all four skills. If your students are paying for face time with a teacher, it\u2019s usually best to allow them to practice speaking and listening synchronously with you and then set reading and writing as asynchronous tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It allows your students to come to terms with difficult concepts.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Most online classes last between 20 minutes to an hour. This is often not long enough for students to fully understand everything they’re expected to learn. By using asynchronous elements, however, in which students have time to practice new concepts outside of the scheduled class time, you free up more time for the synchronous, face-to-face practice of those concepts. This system makes everything more efficient.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blended learning in ESL gives your students a chance to take responsibility for their learning. <\/span><\/h4>\n

Becoming self-motivated, autonomous learners is a good habit for all students to get into. By giving students asynchronous tasks to complete outside of regular class time, allows the student to take control of a portion of their learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also promotes student interaction and community building. <\/span><\/h4>\n

When teaching students online, there can sometimes be a lack of interaction between the students, or in the case of teaching one-on-one, a student may have no interaction at all with other students!<\/span><\/p>\n

A good way to develop some interaction among your students is to set fun asynchronous activities that encourage collaboration (see some examples below). Your students may never have met, but this doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t feel like they are part of a learning community.<\/span><\/p>\n