Teaching English Online or In-Person: Key Differences, Challenges and Best Practices

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has evolved dramatically in recent years, with the rise of digital platforms offering new ways to connect with learners. Whether you teach in a physical classroom or through a webcam, each environment has its own distinct dynamics. This article explores the differences between teaching English online or in-person, and offers practical strategies to help TEFL educators thrive in both settings.

Teaching English Online or In-Person

Core Differences Between Teaching English Online or In-Person

Understanding the contrasts between teaching English online or in-person is essential for effective lesson delivery. From classroom management to technology use, here are the key areas where these environments diverge:

Classroom Setup

• In-Person: Physical spaces often include desks, whiteboards, and opportunities for immediate, face-to-face interaction.

• Online: Lessons are delivered via platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with communication occurring through screens, microphones, and chat functions.

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Classroom Management

• In-Person: Body language, eye contact, and proximity help maintain discipline and attention.

• Online: Digital management tools, such as chat moderation and screen control, replace physical presence. Structured participation norms become vital.

  
  

Student Interaction

• In-Person: Encourages spontaneous peer interaction, hands-on activities, and physical group work.

• Online: Involves breakout rooms, live chat, and digital collaboration tools like Microsoft Whiteboard or Padlet.

  
  

Use of Technology

• In-Person: Technology is supplementary—whiteboards, projectors, and printed handouts are often sufficient.

• Online: Digital tools are fundamental to teaching. Video, screen sharing, interactive quizzes, and online resources shape the entire learning experience. Tools like Kahoot! and Quizlet are commonly used.

  
  

Assessment and Feedback

• In-Person: Allows for verbal cues, non-verbal feedback, and paper-based assessments.

• Online: Assessment takes place through digital quizzes, shared documents, and typed feedback. Teachers often use screen-sharing to guide learners in real-time.

  
  

For more comparative analysis of digital vs. physical classrooms, visit Edutopia's Classroom Technology Strategies.

Adapting Engagement Strategies to Each Environment

Student engagement is a cornerstone of successful TEFL instruction, whether teaching English online or in-person. Adapting your methods to each setting will make a significant difference in learner participation and retention.

In-Person Engagement

• Encourage pair and group work to stimulate discussion.

• Use movement-based activities to keep energy levels high.

• Bring in realia and props to aid comprehension and provide visual context.

  
  

Online Engagement

• Use breakout rooms to mimic the intimacy of small group discussion.

• Incorporate tools like Kahoot, Microsoft Whiteboard, and Mentimeter to make lessons interactive.

• Encourage students to keep cameras on to increase presence and accountability.

Scenario-Based Reflection: One Class, Two Formats

You have a class of 12 adult students learning English. In the morning, you teach them in person, and in the evening, you teach the same group online.

Task

1. How would you modify your lesson plan to fit both formats?

2. What are two main challenges in each environment, and how would you overcome them?

   
   

👉 See Suggested Answers for tips on adapting for dual delivery.

Lesson Planning in Two Formats: Teaching Opinions

Task

Design a 30-minute speaking lesson on giving opinions for both in-person and online formats.

👉 Check Suggested Answers for sample structure and tech-specific strategies.

Case Study: Overcoming Shyness in the Online Classroom

Alex is a new TEFL teacher in China. He notices his students are shy and hesitant to speak English. Some never participate.

Task

1. What challenges might Alex be facing?

2. Suggest two techniques to increase student engagement.

   
   

👉 Scroll to Suggested Answers for online-specific engagement tools.

Suggested Answers

Scenario-Based Reflection: One Class, Two Formats

1. Modifying the lesson plan:

• In-person:Use hands-on materials, classroom movement, and board-based brainstorming.Encourage face-to-face group discussions and realia.

• Online:Adapt visuals into shared slides. Use breakout rooms, interactive tools (e.g., Jamboard, Google Docs), and digital worksheets.

  
  

2. Challenges & Solutions:

• In-person:Challenge: Managing group dynamicsSolution: Assign clear roles and monitor actively.

• Online:Challenge: Student passivity or tech distractionsSolution: Use live polls, quizzes, and direct questioning to maintain engagement.

  
  

Lesson Planning in Two Formats: Teaching Opinions

Objective: Improve fluency and confidence in expressing opinions.

In-Person Format

1. Warm-up: Write 3 controversial topics on the board. Students stand near the one they agree with most.

2. Group Discussion: In small groups, students state and defend their opinions.

3. Feedback: Each group shares a summary of their views with the class.

   
   

Online Format

1. Warm-up: Display opinion topics via PowerPoint or Google Slides. Use the chat or polls to gather initial views.

2. Breakout Rooms: Students discuss one topic in small groups.

3. Whole-Class Feedback: Volunteers or selected students report back via mic or chat.

   
   

Lesson structure remains consistent; only the tools and delivery vary.

Case Study: Overcoming Shyness in the Online Classroom

Challenges:

• Low interaction due to screen fatigue or camera-off habits

• Limited accountability in breakout rooms

  
  

Solutions:

• Use participation points or a class leaderboard to encourage speaking.

• Call on students by name during low-stakes discussions.

• Incorporate interactive tools (e.g., Kahoot, Padlet, Mentimeter) for live responses.

• Assign rotating roles in breakout rooms (e.g., timekeeper, summariser) for responsibility and engagement.

Resources

• Microsoft Whiteboard - A free, easy-to-use digital canvas with drawing tools, sticky notes, templates, and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams.

• Canva Whiteboard - Provides attractive visual templates and collaborative whiteboards ideal for creative, low‑tech teaching scenarios.

• Padlet - An interactive platform where students and teachers can post, organise, and collaborate on visual boards in real-time.

• Kahoot! - A gamified quiz tool used to create engaging learning experiences, especially effective in online classrooms.

• Quizlet - A popular tool for creating digital flashcards, games, and quizzes to reinforce vocabulary and concepts.

• Edutopia's Classroom Technology Strategies - An article-rich platform offering research-based strategies and ideas for integrating tech in the classroom effectively.

• Education Endowment Foundation's Collaborative Learning Toolkit - A toolkit that provides evidence-based methods for promoting collaborative learning and improving student outcomes.

• The British Council's teaching resources - High-quality teaching resources from a trusted UK institution, supporting English language instruction globally.

• TESOL International Association’s resources - A go-to source for global TEFL/ESL educators, offering professional development tools, publications, and classroom resources.

• National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of English (NATE) - UK-based organisation supporting English educators with professional development, research, and policy engagement.

Final Reflection: Learning From Your Own Language Journey

Consider your personal experience learning a second language. What motivated you? What made the lessons effective or frustrating? Use this insight to shape your teaching methods. Empathy and adaptability are key to connecting with learners in any format.

Key Takeaways

• TEFL teaching requires adapting your approach based on whether you're teaching English online or in-person.

• Classroom management, engagement, and lesson delivery strategies differ across the two settings.

• Interactive tools are central to online teaching, while physical presence enhances in-person learning.

• Scenario planning and reflection tasks help bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Interested in more teaching tips or job opportunities in China? Stay connected with ForeignTeacher.co.uk for expert advice and up-to-date resources on working and thriving as an English teacher abroad.

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