Silver Linings of Online Teaching

Ironically, “Every cloud has a silver lining” is one of my favorite phrases to teach my students. It’s such a commonly-used one, and it’s hard to mess up the grammar. I know 2020 has kind of sent the whole world into a tailspin, and I know there are people suffering all over the world. I don’t mean to minimize any of that. I am hoping and praying we will all come out of this as soon as possible. As a teacher, I’m incredibly grateful and I know I’m privileged to be able to keep my job and keep working in such an uncertain time. I can’t wait to walk back into my classroom and see my kids again and not have to worry about my safety or their safety, but I think we all need a little positive encouragement right about now. So here are the five silver linings I’ve found while teaching ESL remotely! 

I get to talk with my students WAY more

            It seems counter-intuitive. How could I talk with my students more when I can’t even see them each week? Well, I’m not doing live classes, which means that I’m able to have conversations over texting with various students throughout the entire class period. In a normal class, the only time I’m really able to chat with them is before class or during the 5-minute break. Compare that to now, when I have a full 90 minutes, and they’re free to chat with me for as much of that as they like. 

My students seem to care so much more

            I have no idea why this is. Maybe perhaps they can talk directly with me, asking me questions and clarifying ideas instead of having to raise their hands in class. Maybe it’s because the “Debbie downer” students aren’t killing the energy in the class or distracting other students. Maybe they’re taking more ownership over their own learning, since they have more control over it. Maybe having class in their pajamas just makes them happier about learning English. Honestly, I don’t know, but it’s so encouraging to see all students actually make an effort. This week, I announced our mid-term exam, and usually, only a handful of students will ask a question. Not this time. Tons of students were asking me good, thoughtful questions about my expectations or how to get a better grade on the exam. Mind blown.

I’m getting to know my students better

            And not just from talking with them more. The homework assignments I’ve been giving are the conversation topics I usually have students share with a partner. I’ll give students 10 minutes to share their dream vacations with their partners or answer the question, “Who has inspired you the most?” Usually, I walk around the classroom listening to various conversations, but I only catch snippets. Now, since students are writing their answers and sending them to me, I’m getting to hear all of their ideas in full-form. I know who’s always dreamed about taking their parents on a luxury vacation to Bali or who got through being bullied in high school because Kobe Bryant was their role model. It’s pretty awesome to get to hear from each student each week. 

Students are asking me about more than just class

            During a normal semester, often students will text me with questions about things in another class or something they heard on TV. But lately, students have been doing it a lot. They’re asking great questions about which words sound more native or asking me questions about cultural things they see online. Because we have a more texting-based relationship right now, they feel a lot more comfortable just shooting off a text if they have a question. (My favorite question so far has been about how on Earth Ross managed to have a pet monkey in New York. Valid question.)  

The freedom is incredible

            No doubt about it—I’m loving the freedom, and I know my students are too! It’s so great not to be standing in heels all morning or to be wearing a hot suit jacket when the AC is broken. I LOVE getting to drink water whenever I want. I can even got the bathroom WHENEVER! No more holding it for four hours. (Because we all know that teacher bladder is real.) Not having to commute saves me at least two hours a day, and it’s been great to go straight from class to cooking a healthy meal for lunch. And, I’m not going to lie—I’ve been wearing a T-shirt and jeans for all of my non-live classes. I kind of feel like I’m living a dream. Hey, when we all go back to normal classes, can we keep the T-shirt and jeans thing? Please? 

What have you been able to be thankful for during online teaching? I know it’s not always easy, but keeping positive in a time like this is more important than ever!