What Parents Should Expect From a 25-Minute Online English Lesson

If your child has never taken an online English lesson, 25 minutes might sound short. You may wonder whether there's enough time to learn anything, especially if your child is shy or just beginning to speak English.

I've taught children online for years, and I've found that a shorter lesson can give us plenty to work with. The important part isn't filling every minute with activities. It's making sure your child has opportunities to listen, answer, try new words, and feel comfortable speaking.

Before class: keep the setup simple

Your child needs a quiet place to sit, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a working microphone. It's worth testing the sound before the first lesson so we don't spend class time trying to fix it. A parent may need to help a younger child join, but you don't have to sit beside them for the entire class.

At Teacher Julie, I use Koala Go for our online classroom. Your booking confirmation includes the classroom link, so you can have it ready before class starts. If your child wants a drink of water or needs the bathroom, take care of that beforehand. Little things like that make it easier to focus once we begin.

The first few minutes: getting comfortable

I usually start by greeting the student and asking a question or two. With a child who's already speaking English, we might talk about school, a favorite animal, or something fun they did that day. A beginner may start with a wave, a picture, or a short sentence.

If your child doesn't answer right away, that's okay. Some students want to talk from the first minute. Others need a little time to get used to a new teacher. I can slow down, offer choices, or model an answer so they have somewhere to start.

The middle of the lesson: your child should be participating

This is where most of the practice happens. I use the Abridge Academy curriculum to guide lessons, and I adjust the pace to the student in front of me. Depending on their age and level, we may practice phonics, read short sentences, learn useful vocabulary, listen and answer questions, or have a longer conversation.

For example, a beginner might learn the word 'dog' and then practice saying, 'I see a dog.' A student who's a little further along might describe what the dog is doing or explain why they like that animal. We're working with the same topic, but the language grows with the child.

I don't expect a student to master a new skill after hearing it once. Repeating words, trying a complete sentence, and coming back to something that was difficult earlier are all useful parts of a lesson.

What if my child makes mistakes?

They will, and that's part of learning another language. I correct errors when it helps the student understand or practice something important, but I don't want every answer interrupted. Sometimes I'll repeat a sentence correctly and invite the child to try it again. Sometimes I'll let them finish a thought before we work on the wording.

I also want students to know that it's fine to ask me a question or tell me they don't understand. A child who feels comfortable trying is much more likely to use the English they're learning.

The last few minutes: finish what we're working on

At the end, we may review a few words, practice a sentence again, or finish the activity we're doing. I want your child to leave knowing what they worked on, without feeling rushed through a long list of tasks just because the clock is running.

Not every class follows exactly the same order. A four-year-old's lesson will look different from a teenager's, and a first lesson may spend more time getting acquainted than a lesson with a student I already know well.

Should a parent stay during the lesson?

For a very young student, having a parent nearby at the beginning can be helpful, especially if they need help with the computer. For most children, though, I want to hear the student's own answers. If a parent supplies every word, it's hard for me to tell what the child understands and what we should practice next.

You can always ask questions about the lessons and your child's level. You don't need to become the teacher at home for your child to benefit from class.

Trying a lesson with Teacher Julie

I'm Julie, an American online English teacher with a degree in Elementary Education, a 120-hour TESOL certificate, and more than ten years of teaching experience. I teach children and teens ages 4 to 18 in private 25-minute lessons.

If you'd like to see whether my teaching style is a good fit for your child, I offer a $5 introductory lesson. You can book a $5 introductory lesson and choose an available time. If your family would like to continue, we can talk about your child's goals and a regular schedule before you choose a lesson package.