Archive for the ‘Learning English Online’ Category

Getting to Know TalktoCanada.com – TalktoCanada.com Teachers

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

TalktoCanada.com teachers are AMAZING individuals that all bring something unique and special to the class.  They each use different methods to teach and accommodate their teaching styles to best help you achieve your goals.  The great thing about TalktoCanada.com teachers is the rapport that they develop with their students.  Students become more than just students and often become friends.

Currently TalktoCanada.com has just over 20 teachers on staff — they work with both individual clients and also our corporate clients  delivering specific and  tailored lessons that range from general conversation to ESP lessons (English for Special Purposes).

All of our teachers are native English speakers — and all are Canadians.  Ask them anything about Canada and they should know the answer — except once someone asked me about the underground mall and tunnel  in Toronto — and I really had no idea what they were talking about — until I Googled it and yes in fact there is the P.A.T.H in Toronto — who would have thought it was so famous??!!

Check out some of our Teacher’s of the Week to get a better idea about who they are and what they like to do:

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/05/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-laurie-bilokraly/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/05/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-kyle-gooch/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/04/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-jenn-foldi/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/04/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-tiffany-fudge/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/04/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-nicole-ross/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/04/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-aaron-petrie/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/03/talktocanada-com-teacher-of-the-week-amanda-cameron/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/01/tenielle-patterson-teacher-of-the-week/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/01/kiki-christie-teacher-of-the-week/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2010/01/lusi-brace-teacher-of-the-week/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2009/12/samantha-odber-teacher-of-the-week/

http://www.talktocanada.com/2009/12/camille-greer-teacher-of-the-week/

TalktoCanada.com Teacher of the Week: Laurie Bilokraly

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Laurie Bilokraly

My name is Laurie Bilokraly and I live in Kingsville, Ontario. Kingsville is the Southern most town in Canada and is situated on Lake Erie. I have my degree in Communication Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. I have been married for 1 year and my husband and I are avid mountain bikes.The last book I read was Crowe Lake by Mary Lawson. I would describe myself as fun, outgoing and spontaneous.

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, an hour, a day or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever” — Lance Armstrong

Getting to Know TalktoCanada.com – How do we Teach English Online?

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

What can you expect when working with TalktoCanada.com?

Before we start training companies and students in English, they have a very common and similar question.  The question goes something like this, “How do you teach English?” The answer typically goes the same way.  TalktoCanada.com will help you improve your English by teaching you exactly what you want to learn.  Since starting TalktoCanada.com, we have trained all of our teaching staff to center around the idea of asking the student exactly what they want.  Most students know what they want.   The most common things are; business English, test preparation (TOEFL/IELTS), conversational English skills or vocabulary building.  Sometimes a student doesn’t have anything particular that they want to focus on — this is also a great opportunity to touch on everything and determine which areas need the most work.  Usually when students don’t know what they want they usually need help with their confidence.  Confidence is a big concern for a lot of 2nd language speakers and by working with a tutor you have the opportunity to talk, practice and make mistakes in a non-threatening environment.

Depending on the type of student  you are, beginner, novice, intermediate or advanced, we will work with you to improve all the areas that you feel you need help with.

Questions and Answers - Magnifying Glass on Words

If your looking for more detailed information about our teaching methods I suggest you read the following blog posts below:

Part I: The Basics of Dogme – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part II – Key Principles of the Dogme Language Learning Approach – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part III – “To Structure or not to Structure… that is the question….” – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part IV: Cookie Cutter Language Learning – Putting a Name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com Uses
Part VI – Modifying the Dogme approach to accommodate your students’ needs – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online
Part V – Using the Dogme Approach in group lessons – Putting a name to the methodologies that TalktoCanada.com uses to teach ESL online

Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course – Factor 4

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

This is the final post of the series, ‘Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course’.

I suggest reading Factor #1, Factor #2, and Factor #3 before this post if you are interested in online English learning.

4 – Choose A Course That Allows You to Choose Lesson Material and Content

When you enroll in a online English speaking course, you should have the ability to influence…if not entirely direct…the content of your lessons.  Because of the personal and intimate nature of an online English speaking course, you should be learning material that is immediately relevant to your daily professional, academic and social life.

Here are some questions you may want to ask before signing up with a online English training provider:

*Does you instructor ask you what your learning goals are?

*Does your instructor assess your current level of English and suggest targeted ways to improve on your weak areas?

*Does your instructor work with you to make an individual study plan for you based on your input?

*Are you able to ask and be provided with interesting, up-to-date learning materials relevant to what you want to learn?

*Do you have the option of sending your own lesson materials to the instructor(s)?

These are some of the essentials when it comes to choosing your online English course.  Remember…this is your time, and your money.  You should be the one directing the learning.  You should be the one choosing the learning materials.

I hope you’ve found this little series, ‘Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course’ helpful.  Learning English online definitely is the way to go.

I wish you all the success in your English learning endeavors.

Emoticons — cute — but essential in this online world

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Have you ever had someone misread what you wrote, either in a chat message or email? It has happened to me more than a bazillion times. Apparently people can read emotions through typed words… and act upon them, by calling them out, and finding out what the problem-o is and how to fix it.  Which is funny because in *real life* I doubt that there is any confusion, and if there was no one would confront it.  It’s just in our nature — and having everything virtual makes things anonymous and not so *real*.

In my typing it has become almost habit to include the “:)” as part of everything.  I have to make sure that my mood is being displayed and in the right way.  I hate getting into the whole he said/she said things, especially online.  Talk about headache!

I also think that although smiley faces may not be 100% professional I think that they lighten up the mood a bit and make things fun.  Of course it depends on the situation — sometimes first communications with super important business people the smiley faces are non existent.  But after a meeting or two out they come :) (just now.. that was a random reflex) I’m happy and I want you to know! :) (again!!!)

Now on chat programs there are a ton of fun emoticons available — I just figured out a few cool hidden skype ones, and some facebook ones.  Yes, they add a little LOL to the chat messages but for me just basic :) works just fine.

What do you think? Are emoticons only for teeny boppers? Or can someone use them in a semi professional way as well? I’d like to hear your thoughts — leave me a comment!! :)

Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course – Factor 3

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

This is the third post in my series, ‘Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course. I suggest reading Factor #1 and Factor #2 before this post if you are interested in taking online English lessons.

Factor 3 – Choose A Course With Flexible Lesson Days and Times

You want to inquire about the flexibility of the lesson days and times.

A quality online English speaking course will give you the full freedom to choose your lesson days and times. You should not be tied down to days and times they select.  Remember, this is you money and your lessons.  They should work around your schedule.

Here are some questions you’ll want to get the answers to:

*Are you able to arrange lesson days and times that are convenient for you?

*Can you postpone and reschedule lessons easily if you are unable to attend your scheduled lesson?

*Does the company charge you for rescheduling or missed classes?  They shouldn’t!

*Are you able to request different instructors if you are not happy with the one you currently have?

*Are you able to put your lessons ‘on hold’ for an extended time if you have to go away for business or holidays?

*Are you able to transfer your lessons to other people if you are not able to continue learning for some reason?

These are some more important questions you’d like answered before you sign up for online English lessons.  Finding out the flexibility of the lesson days and times shouldn’t be hard to do.  If this information is not provided on the website, you’d better call the company and ask.

In my next post, I will be discussing the fourth and final factor of the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”…

Stay tuned!

Another Blog Post How the Apple iPad will Revolutionize Online Learning

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Ok, maybe the title is a bit over the top and drastic but nonetheless it’s something that’s being talked about for online learners around the globe.  For the record, I haven’t yet spent any time with the Apple iPad but have spent a lot of time reading and researching the device itself.  If it helps to convince you further of my pedigree to talk about the Apple iPad, I just bought a Macbook Pro for the first time :).

All kidding aside, let’s get down to the question, can the Apple iPad revolutionize online learning.  I think the answer is probably yes and no.  No, it probably won’t do much different then your average netbook right now and yes, at one point in time it may revolutionize the online learning world.  I wouldn’t count on it being the next greatest thing though, laptops can do what an iPad can do just a lot more plus they have usually have a webcam which is great for taking lessons with us (TalktoCanada.com).  However, if your looking for portability and simplicity, this device has it covered.  This device has some great applications or apps as those who use an iPhone will refer to them as, such as:

Learning English with the New York Times
English Language Teaching by the Cambridge Press
English at Work

Like any new technology, this one may require a lot of time before it becomes great for online learning.  At the moment I think it’s more of a novelty, but as  technology improves along with the software/programs behind it, I think it will vastly improve online learning.  Just imagine, sitting in the back of a taxi taking a quick 30 minute lesson while you travel to your next location…one day this will be possible :)

Virtual Globe-trotting… with TalktoCanada.com

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Each class that I have with my students I seem to learn something new — The other day I learned that Russia has Volcanoes — in South Korea they have a different birthday counting system — so they are 1 year older than what a Canadian would say – and that in Hong Kong – the rent is about 80% of your monthly expenses.. food is quite cheap.  Call it ignorance or learning — I find it all quite fascinating.  I sat down for a second (a LONG second) and started thinking of all the countries that I’ve worked with since starting working online — and was surprised at how many there actually were!! I’ve virtually visited almost everywhere! Check it out… and some interesting facts that I’ve learned from my students, and from some of my own observations…

Brazil (This year (2010) it rained for over 40 days straight in Sao Paulo)
China (Sea Cucumbers are very expensive to eat)
Hong Kong (is VERY overcrowded)
Argentina (is nothing like Uruguay – “vistes”)
Taiwan (is actually a really popular tourist destination)
South Korea (is really traditional or they’d like to be)
Japan (the cherry blossoms only last for 1 week — and it changes each year)
Peru (not everyone knows about the Mayan 2012 prophecies)
India (in the rural parts – they have a deity celebration almost everyday
Saudi Arabia (instead of horse races they have camel races and robot jockeys)
United Arab Emirates (is nothing like Saudi Arabia and is a multicultural hub)
Iraq (has safe zones – that are war free)
Russia (everyone is a fan of borsht)
Spain (is really really hot – like desert hot in the summer)
Italy (has a bazillion different types of pizza.. and pepperoni pizza is not one of them)
Switzerland (has 4 official languages – English is not one of them)
Germany (Oktoberfest is not always in October)
Slovenia (has LESS people than Uruguay – Yeh! I didn’t think that was possible either!)
Togo (most people are bilingual – English and French)
USA (has sooo many opportunities for foreigners to study or work)
Columbia (really knows how to market their coffee well – which is why coffee is now synonymous with Columbia)
Canada (is one of the top countries that foreigners what to study in or immigrate to)
Venezuela (for their 15th birthday – many girls ask for plastic surgery – what happened to cars??)
Mexico (has fireworks going off at all hours of the day – everyday)
France (Not a single student of mine from France was fifi–I wonder where they got that label from?)
Portugal (Do not speak the same language as Brazilians)
Luxembourg (is a really small country – some people commute to work every day to another country!)
Egypt (has beautiful beaches and is a popular vacation destination for Russians)
Turkey (although it snows – 99% of the population do not use snow tires – not even those who sell them)
Hungary (has 100% tax)
Greece (the water is actually really really blue – I saw via webcam)
Armenia (is in the middle of an active earthquake zone — but hasn’t had an earthquake for 40 years…)
UK (English teachers don’t like to work past 6pm — better for us! ;))

So I am missing quite a few — but having only done this for 2 years I’d say it’s pretty impressive. Some common observations:
Australia is the trendy country of choice for immigration for people from Russia, and Brazil.
Canada comes in close behind — and is the #1 place to study post grad or grad programs.
Many countries experience corruption — in varying degrees — but not a single country is free of it –
Every student is different – however – many students from the same country exhibit similar problems with the English language.
Countries in the same region — are OH so different

I hope to virtually globtrot to all countries one day — and perhaps even real life trot as well!

TalktoCanada.com Teacher of the week – Nicole Ross

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Nicole Ross

Working with TTC since 2010

Hi Everyone! My name is Nicole Ross and I am from Bathurst, New Brunswick.   I went to St Thomas University and also the University of Maine in Presque Isle.  I’ve taught Elementary schools and also High school, but never anything online before I joined the TTC team.  I have to say this job is pretty awesome.  There’s all the flexibility in the world (as now a days, you have internet everywhere) and you work in your own space.  I love all things caffeine related and reading/documentaries about history.   During my free time, like anyone else I just like to relax and have fun.  I spend my days venturing out travelling in my car to God knows where.   The last book I read was “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  To describe myself in 3 words is something quite hard to do.  The only thing that comes to mind is that I am loyal,  a hard worker and quite talkative.  I have 2 mottos’ I constantly live by: 1) Things can always be worse and 2) take every stride 1 step at a time.  Focus on what is going on right now rather than worrying what’s going to happen next week.

Working online – a new era of trust – trust 2.0

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

In this day and age, the Internet and working online – actually doing EVERYTHING online is becoming more and more common place.  People tend to rely on the Internet for much more than just finding information.  People are developing friendships, relationships, breaking down barriers and borders, experiencing new things that only 5 years ago were impossible to experience.  Yes the Internet has changed our lives and there is no looking back.

Working online is no exception.  Online work or as I like to call it ‘e-jobs’ is fast becoming more and more popular and can actually replace traditional “office” work — and is a viable option for many people.  But – with this – comes a new era of trust. Ironically enough – we are limiting ourselves and our opportunities by setting up boundaries and always thinking the worst without any concrete reason why.

Online companies have been painted with red — for those few that have taken advantage of people in the beginning — it has stuck and has caused people to be extremely cautious in all dealings online.  Online companies have to work twice if not three times as hard to prove themselves — and even then – people are skeptical.

is no exception — we are an online company – but we are also a very REAL company. I have many people ask me to validate our credibility — and on one had yes I understand why they are asking — but on the other hand I wonder what it is that they are looking for that they cannot find on the website.

When comparing sketchy online English language providers (yes there are a bazillion out there) the first red flag that should come up would be in the name (personally non-biased opinion here – TalktoCanada.com rocks as a name – and does not have anything sketchy about it at all).  After that – content, web page presentation, and access to information usually will either encourage you to sign up or apply for a job — depending on the sketchy factor.

After that – it’s up to you to put your trust in someone that you’ll meet via Skype or WebEx or the telephone.  And that is a new kind of trust.  The new era of trust 2.0 as I like to call it.  I’m not going to lie, I too was skeptical at first — not really understanding this wonderful online working world — but being open to trying it out.  2 and a half years later — I trust my little working world at TalktoCanada.com more so than I would a traditional company.

I trust as I never have before — and it goes both ways.  In these 2.5 years I have yet to “meet” any of my co-workers – but despite that I’ve been able to trust them and them me through this crazy invention called the Internet.  We share stories, experiences, and plans for the future.  We put our livelihood in the hands of someone  that although we talk with everyday and have “thousands” of emails from — have yet to meet.  It’s surprising — but it’s new — and it’s the direction in which thing are headed.  You can either jump on or jump off — there is no half way – - But I recommend taking that plunge and trying it out.