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? Photos taken from used under a CC Attribution Non-Commercial license,

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.

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 managers 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 encouragement 2.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 tutors 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

Support for clients Pre-course Face-to-face presentations or webinars Information documents Recommendations for Training Manager

Support for clients During the course – help documents SUPPORT

Support for clients During the course Technical support Helplines Tracking and support – in L1 if possible at low levels ( and telephone / skype) Reminders of deadlines Reports and action points to Training Manager

SUPPORT Support for tutors Welcome messages Tutor manuals Clear guidelines and skype / phone support for issues e.g. difficult students, problem tutorials, other incidents Reminders 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 Thomas Blog (powerpoint): References ELTpics IH DOS Conference – London 2013 CONTACT DETAILS