As Outschool’s global learner community continues to grow, the demand for English as a Foreign/Second Language and Conversational English classes grows with it. More and more families are turning to our educators for their English learning needs, and this provides a great opportunity for those of you who specialize in language learning.
As with all of our course offerings, Outschool does not provide a set ESL/EFL curriculum; you’ll need to develop your classes with your own material. It’s always worth taking a minute to review our standards for class listings to ensure your course gets approved and published. To help you along the way, we’ve put together a few tips for creating a successful English language learning classes on Outschool.
1. Update your class title & summary
Some families looking for English language instruction will search for EFL, ESL, or TESOL to find qualified educators. If these terms match your material, make sure to include them in your class title and summary! Others may use more general search terms like English lessons, English language practice, conversational English, and more.
We also encourage educators to consider adding Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels to class descriptions and summaries. CEFR levels are widely used by English learners, especially families in East Asia, to determine language proficiency.
Many families know their learner’s CEFR level and will search for classes that specifically align with that level. By adding accurate CEFR levels to each of your listings, you can increase enrollments from discerning families and help ensure your learners choose the right course for their proficiency level.
To provide the best guidance for families, try to add no more than 3 CEFR levels per class that you teach. This tells parents that your class is going to be just the right fit for their learner! Including too many levels may have families wondering if the class content will really be tailored to their learner’s English skills.
Follow this downloadable chart to determine which CEFR levels align with your class listings.
2. Show off your credentials
Do you have any English teaching credentials? Let learner families know! Include any and all relevant certifications or experience in your teacher profile to signal to families that you know your stuff.
3. Offer conversational courses
We’ve noticed many English language learners aren’t only looking for EFL/ESL instruction; they often search for conversational English classes and the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned with native speakers. Learn more about best practices for designing a conversational English class.
4. Keep EFL/ESL best practices in mind
Once you’ve attracted new learners with a stellar course listing, encourage repeat enrollments and great reviews by delivering excellent instruction! Use these strategies to encourage impressive outcomes and strong connections with your learners:
- Model expectations and instructions. Explain and demonstrate learning activities, verbally share your thought process, and give visual cues to show learners the goal they’re working toward. For example, if you’d like learners to draw a face and label each part (eyes, nose, etc.), model each step with both verbal instruction and by showing an example drawing on your screen.
- Use non-verbal teaching tools. Visual aids, sketches, gestures, intonation, expressions, and other non-verbal cues make both language and content more accessible to English learners.
- Check for understanding. Frequently check in with learners to make sure they’re following your instruction. Give learners opportunities to ask questions or easily signal if they need something repeated. Empower them to use the chat, emojis, hand gestures, and other non-verbal cues if necessary to communicate.
If you’re a native English speaker and/or have a background in language learning, English classes can be a great way to connect with global learners and grow your business on Outschool. Use the tips above to design outstanding courses that continue to inspire our growing Outschool community, reaching learners far and wide. For more insights on connecting with international learners, explore these additional resources:
