setting up and running a successful online language course

SETTING UP AND RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE LANGUAGE COURSE

IH DOS Conference – London 2013

Successful online

language course

THE CLIENT

THE TUTOR THE MATERIALS

UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING 3 COMPONENTS

1.1. THE CLIENT – Individual learning style

• Linear, systematic?

• Chaotic?• Carefree• Intimidated

@aCliltoClimb

@mkofab

@purple_steph

@arzuteacherPhotos taken from http://flickr.com/eltpics, used under a CC Attribution Non-Commercial license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

1.2. THE CLIENT – National / Regional cultural influences

• High power distance vs Lower power distance• Individualism vs Collectivism• Uncertainty avoidance• Masculinity (competitiveness, assertiveness, ambition,

power, materialism) vs Femininity (value on relationships and quality of life)

Geert Hofstede defines national culture as “those things that are shared by people who grew up in the same forest”.

http://geert-hofstede.com/spain.html

Need to be aware of the need to encourage students to ask questions, and be diplomatic with feedback for students in positions of responsibility

Suggests the need for a highly structured course with lots of support

1.3. THE CLIENT – Institutional / Corporate culture

1. What are the training manager’s expectations?2. How much experience does the training manager

have in organising online courses?3. How does this affect the students and their

expectations?

2. THE MATERIALS

THE MATERIALS

What factors might influence your choice of materials?• Time• Expertise• Budget restraints• Continuity• Objectives of course• Customisation• Subsidised courses (fulfil requirements of

funding organisation?)• Specific requirements• Platform (easy to use? Intuitive? Clear for

students, tutors and administrators?)

3. THE TUTOR

The role of the tutor will depend on the materials you use.

1. Track progress, provide support and encouragement2. Help students with writing and speaking skills by

providing feedback, moderating, answering questions and giving remedial support

3. Create course content, deliver course content in groups or 1-to-1

3. THE TUTOR

Define the tutor’s role (job description and person specification)

Consider:• Rate of pay• Experience• Interest

Organise a comprehensive training programme

Successful online

language course

THE CLIENT

THE TUTOR

THE MATERIALS

SUPPORT

SUPPORTSupport for clients• Pre-course Face-to-face presentations or webinarsInformation documentsRecommendations for Training Manager

Support for clients• During the course – help documents

SUPPORT

SUPPORT

Support for clients• During the courseTechnical supportHelplinesTracking and support – in L1 if possible at low levels (email and telephone / skype)Reminders of deadlinesReports and action points to Training Manager

SUPPORT

• Support for tutors

Welcome messagesTutor manualsClear guidelines Email and skype / phone support for issues e.g. difficult students, problem tutorials, other incidentsReminders of deadlines

Successful online

language course

THE CLIENT

THE TUTOR THE MATERIALS

SUPPORT

FEEDBACK

MATERIALS PROVIDER

• Questionnaire • Report sent to:

Training managers Tutors Net Languages

production team• Results and certificates

sent to students with indication of how can continue studying

• IMPORTANT: Congratulate the client and the training manager on how well they have done!

FEEDBACK & Ending the course

Fiona Thomasfiona@netlanguages.com

Blog (powerpoint):http://fionacthomas.wordpress.com

Twitter:@FionaTT

Referenceshttp://geert-hofstede.comhttp://vimeo.com/29036835ELTpics http://www.flickr.com/photos/eltpics/www.netlanguages.com

IH DOS Conference – London 2013

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