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Developing rapport and motivating learners

Ways that an online teacher can develop rapport with learners and learners can develop rapport with each other.

In the previous step we talked about how establishing good rapport with a learner and maintaining their motivation can be more challenging online than in the face-to-face classroom.

You shared some of your ideas for developing good rapport with learners and motivating them during online lessons. Now, let’s hear from our teachers.

Task

Watch our online teachers talking about techniques they use to establish good rapport and motivate learners. Put techniques A–H in the order you hear them.

A: Give encouragement and praise

B: Be friendly

C: Chat to students before/after a lesson

D: Bring in your personality

E: Encourage learners to get to know each other

F: Personalise the lesson

G: Get to know your students

H: Smile

Check your answers

Reflect and share

Ollie said that it’s important to get to know your students and to ask them questions. What questions do you think are important to find out about your learners’ needs and interests? Share a few ideas in the comments.

Click here to see a list of our ideas

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Teaching English Online

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FutureLearn - Learning For Life

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