TalkEn.Cloud: How English Teachers Can Set Up Their Work
Learning and teaching English online has long been the norm. Many language centers and educational institutions are moving their teaching to a remote format and running into various technical and organizational difficulties. Modern technologies and approaches to learning make this process easier. The TalkEn.Cloud platform combines convenient tools for teachers with effective teaching methods.
We understand that teachers’ top priority today is to ensure continuous learning and protect students from problems that get in the way of their education. So at TalkEn.Cloud we have combined effective tools for managing the learning process with an interactive approach to learning English, so that it is convenient for everyone: teachers, students and their parents.
Below we look in detail at how TalkEn.Cloud helps English teachers simplify online learning and make it continuous, convenient and interesting for students anywhere in the world.
TalkEn.Cloud is a platform that makes learning easier for both English teachers and their students
Who is TalkEn.Cloud for?
- Tutors. Teachers can cut the time they spend on organizational matters, offer their students interesting modern language lessons and a personal learning account, and develop their own approach to teaching.
- Language courses and centers. The TalkEn.Cloud platform will help you take teaching to a new level, make the move online easier and save time on routine and organizational processes.
- Schools and universities. It will help make lessons more advanced, set up continuous learning and simplify remote lessons.
- Education startups. A ready-made solution for those who are just planning to create their own courses, school or other education business.
The TalkEn.Cloud platform saves teachers the hours they used to spend on planning, technical organization of online lessons, finding materials, scheduling, and tracking performance and attendance. It is also useful for students, because everything they need for lessons is in one place: the schedule, the interactive textbook and progress tracking.
The benefits
As we noted above, TalkEn.Cloud offers tools for both teachers and students, so we will divide the benefits into two categories.
For teachers:
- a modern system for managing the learning process and everyday tasks;
- saving time on routine tasks: 20+ hours a week;
- ready-made study plans and an interactive textbook library;
- more than 180 tests with automatic checking;
- interactive homework that the system checks automatically;
- learning based on the flipped classroom;
- flexible features you can set up for your needs, for online and offline lessons.
Teachers can use the full feature set or only the LMS (learning management system), that is, use their own materials and resources and develop their own interactive textbook and program on the platform. TalkEn.Cloud prices depend on the number of students and the features chosen. We also offer 7 days of free demo access to get to know the LMS and the textbooks.
The benefits of TalkEn.Cloud for students:
- the ability to follow their schedule, performance and attendance;
- an interactive textbook and homework with automatic checking;
- tests;
- comments and advice from the teacher.
The modern TalkEn.Cloud platform lets you study from anywhere in the world at any time: all you need is a good internet connection and a convenient device for doing tasks. All the necessary learning materials are in one place.
How can a teacher start using TalkEn.Cloud?
You do not need special skills or experience, specific equipment or extra programs to start using the TalkEn.Cloud platform. To get started, you need a stable internet connection and a convenient device; our manager will help with everything else. After that, you can create groups, student profiles and a lesson schedule yourself, and choose a textbook or study plan.
The TalkEn.Cloud LMS: platform features
TalkEn.Cloud combines a learning management system (LMS) and an interactive library of English textbooks. A teacher can use our interactive digital textbooks and detailed study plans, or use their own materials and create programs for different groups or classes. Below we look at the main features in more detail.
What is an LMS?
A Learning Management System is a system for managing learning. It simplifies teaching and learning a language by creating an innovative environment for everyone involved. The platform brings the key elements of the learning process together in one integrated system: learning materials, homework, schedules for different groups, student lists, their performance and attendance, assessment tests, an electronic grade book and so on. TalkEn.Cloud offers these features too.
Features of the TalkEn.Cloud LMS
In the TalkEn.Cloud learning management system, each user has their own role, so let’s look at each one separately.
A TalkEn.Cloud administrator can:
- create groups and student profiles and assign one-to-one lessons;
- add learning materials;
- create lesson schedules;
- add placement tests to determine English level.
A teacher on TalkEn.Cloud can:
- create lists of groups and students;
- create and manage lesson schedules;
- track students’ performance and attendance;
- add learning materials and set homework;
- prepare for lessons;
- give students feedback.
With TalkEn.Cloud, students can:
- follow their lesson schedule;
- work with the interactive textbook and extra materials in one place;
- keep track of their grades, attendance and progress on textbook tasks;
- do interactive homework exercises and get feedback from the teacher online.
TalkEn.Cloud is a clear platform with a clear hierarchy that provides all the features needed for a teacher’s routine tasks and students’ continuous learning.
The TalkEn.Cloud interactive textbook library
One of the TalkEn.Cloud platform’s features is its own library of 46 interactive digital textbooks. These are materials for levels A1-B2 for students in grades 1-11. Each lesson lasts 80 minutes. The tasks in the textbooks are built on the flipped classroom approach, and completed exercises and tests are checked automatically. Thanks to tracking, the teacher and the student can follow progress through the textbook. We also offer detailed lesson plans for teachers (~2,000 lessons).
We have many years of experience teaching English, so we offer effective TalkEn.Cloud interactive textbooks adapted to students’ interests, needs and the pace of modern life
What is the flipped classroom?
The flipped classroom is a type of blended learning in which students prepare for the lesson on their own on an online platform, and in lessons they practice skills under the teacher’s mentorship. The approach works for both online and offline formats. The advantages:
- part of the theory and practice moves to self-study with online tools, which lets each student work through it at their own pace and prepare questions for the teacher, leaving more time for practice in the lesson itself;
- lessons focus on speaking practice in groups and pairs;
- teacher = mentor: the teacher does not just pass on new information but is involved with students in group work and projects, correcting and giving feedback during the lesson;
- because all the information is in one place, students take in content better and do not waste time looking for extra exercises and materials;
- self-study helps improve discipline and make learning a habit.
TalkEn.Cloud interactive textbooks
We offer modern interactive English textbooks for all levels, from Starter to Advanced. The advantages of TalkEn.Cloud’s own textbooks:
- modern topics that are constantly updated and supplemented with relevant materials;
- a clear, understandable structure and smooth progression through topics and levels;
- interactive exercises in different formats for consolidating new material and reviewing what has been learned;
- original video and audio content for varied and interesting practice;
- an online dictionary;
- automatic checking of classwork, homework and tests;
- availability on different devices and platforms.
The main types of exercises in TalkEn.Cloud textbooks:
- a presentation with theory;
- various vocabulary and grammar practice exercises;
- an interactive dictionary;
- tests for lessons and units.
Can you use TalkEn.Cloud with your own materials?
Yes, a teacher can choose only the TalkEn.Cloud LMS features and use their own materials in one of two ways: either add them as homework, or develop their own interactive textbook and program on the platform.
You can also use our interactive textbook library outside the flipped classroom model. To do this, you will need to adapt the materials to your own vision and needs without losing the quality of learning.
The TalkEn.Cloud community: for teachers and students
We are always there for you: TalkEn.Cloud managers are ready to help with any question, and our social media are a source of news, useful resources, opportunities and, of course, relevant memes. So follow us!
Useful TalkEn.Cloud content on YouTube
We create our own video content to explain various topics briefly and clearly. These are videos that help you get to know TalkEn.Cloud, plus lots of different videos for students. They help you figure out grammar rules and remember vocabulary or idioms. For example, you can learn:
- how to plan a trip or shop online;
- the subtleties of using language structures;
- how to use modal verbs, reported speech and more.
And our DIY videos will help you learn topical vocabulary and have a good time on your own or with friends and family. Subscribe to the TalkEn.Cloud channel! And, as they say, hit like and tell us in the comments what topics you would like to see videos on.
TalkEn.Cloud on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
On these social networks we also post lots of useful and interesting things for teachers. For example:
- news, links to webinars, and information on grants, courses and opportunities for teachers;
- useful tips on using TalkEn.Cloud and running interesting lessons;
- topical interactive teaching materials;
- online marathons;
- reviews and stories from colleagues.
Follow TalkEn.Cloud on your favorite social network and stay up to date with current opportunities for teachers.
Courses for teachers from TalkEn.Cloud
Whatever their experience, English teachers need to keep improving their knowledge and teaching methods. So at TalkEn.Cloud we have developed special courses for teachers that help at different stages of professional development.
Besides a modern platform, TalkEn.Cloud offers a variety of courses for teachers that help make teaching more creative, tech-savvy and suited to today’s realities
ESL Teaching Fundamentals from TalkEn.Cloud
The number of English tutors offering their services is growing. Many of them are young specialists with little experience. That is why we created a course that helps you gain and improve the basic knowledge English teaching starts with. It is a free online program on the interactive TalkEn.Cloud platform, taught by CELTA-certified teachers and methodologists of the Green Country school network.
In 4 weeks (11 hours) you will:
- get to know the main teaching techniques;
- learn to prepare for lessons and work with instructions;
- look at typical mistakes teachers make.
After successfully passing the final test on the TalkEn.Cloud platform, you will receive a professional development certificate. Follow our news so you do not miss the next enrollment!
ESL Teaching Course: Lesson Planning
This TalkEn.Cloud course was developed to look at lesson planning in detail. The program suits teachers with any experience. In 15 hours of study you will:
- learn to create step-by-step plans: from one lesson to a school year;
- get to know typical mistakes and problems in planning;
- learn to set aims, anticipate problems and plan solutions;
- get to know different formats for organizing and running lessons;
- learn different methods of assessing students’ progress.
The training is run by CELTA-certified teachers and trainers of the Green Country ESL School and TalkEn.Cloud teaching and methodology center. The workshops are online, in groups of up to 20 people. Participation is paid; the price depends on the type of learning package. If you complete the course successfully, you receive a professional development certificate.
Effective Teaching from TalkEn.Cloud: a course for teachers who want to improve their qualifications
Even experienced teachers need to keep improving their knowledge and teaching methods, so professional development is a necessary stage in a career. Specialized courses help you find new ideas for teaching approaches and methods. The TalkEn.Cloud course gives participants tools for using modern technologies and learning management methods effectively. In the course, teachers will learn to:
- plan and teach lessons effectively;
- use digital resources and modern platforms in teaching;
- create a creative environment in lessons and involve students in group activities and projects;
- give students creative feedback;
- use project-based learning in lessons and more.
This TalkEn.Cloud course is for teachers who are ready for change, strive for continuous professional development and understand the importance of modern learning concepts and technologies.
Tips for teachers: how to ensure continuous and effective learning for students
Online learning has become a challenge for everyone involved in education: students and their parents as well as teachers. Teachers face new tasks: organizing effective learning with modern technologies, keeping in touch and supporting interaction between students, motivating them to learn the language and giving timely advice. So you need to be flexible and ready for change. What will help you adapt to working with the TalkEn.Cloud platform faster:
- reviewing your usual teaching methods and extra theory and practice materials;
- setting up communication between students during lessons and outside them;
- creating a system for quickly sharing changes and current news (social media, messengers, special platforms and so on);
- learning to give constant spoken or written feedback.
In addition, if you plan to use textbooks from the TalkEn.Cloud library and have never worked with the flipped classroom technique, we recommend getting to know it in advance and adapting your teaching methods to the interactive learning format. And our managers and trainers are always ready to advise you!