Ms Suzanne Suen, an in-service secondary English teacher, recently shared her innovative approaches to teaching English in both online and face-to-face settings. Suzanne has embraced technology to create engaging and interactive learning experiences for her students. Her insights offer valuable lessons for educators navigating the evolving landscape of education.
(Interview Recording)
✨ Highlights from the Interview:
1. Embracing Technology for Engagement
Suzanne’s teaching philosophy centers on maintaining student discipline and activeness, especially during online lessons. She emphasizes the importance of using effective e-learning tools to enhance the learning experience. One of her go-to apps is GoodNotes, which she uses to deliver presentations and mark students’ work seamlessly during virtual classes.
To keep her students engaged, Suzanne incorporates interactive tools like Kahoot into her lessons. These tools not only make learning fun but also encourage active participation. “The key is to design activities that are both educational and enjoyable,” she explained. “When students are having fun, they’re more likely to stay focused and retain what they’ve learned.”
2. Maintaining Discipline and Interaction
One of the biggest challenges of online teaching is ensuring students remain disciplined and attentive. Suzanne addresses this by setting clear expectations, such as requiring students to keep their cameras on during lessons. This simple rule helps her monitor engagement and maintain a sense of classroom community.
Interaction is another cornerstone of Suzanne’s teaching approach. She believes that encouraging students to speak and participate verbally is crucial for effective language learning. “English is a language that needs to be practiced actively,” she said. “Whether online or in person, I always create opportunities for students to express themselves.”
3. Overcoming Challenges with Motivation
The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted students’ learning motivation, and Suzanne acknowledges this reality. “English can be a challenging subject, and it’s easy for students to feel demotivated, especially in a remote learning environment,” she shared. To combat this, Suzanne focuses on building strong relationships with her students. She believes that a supportive and encouraging rapport is just as important as having the right teaching tools.
“Students are eager to learn, but they sometimes lack the techniques or skills to do so effectively,” she noted. “As teachers, it’s our job to guide them, motivate them, and help them believe in themselves.”
🎤 A message for future educators:
“Stay adaptable and open to new tools and methods. The world of education is constantly evolving, and so should we. But never lose sight of the human connection—it’s what makes teaching truly impactful.”