How VIPkid Tutoring Prepared Me for Distance Learning

The summer between my student teaching and officially taking my first, licensed teaching job was challenging. I had been working as a professional freelancing musician, taking roles at local colleges and churches while conducting a Sunday choir part time and juggling piano students. Student teaching meant most of that came to a full halt, and so did my income. I took a job with VIPkid (an English Language Learning or ELL platform) tutoring kids on the other side of the globe.

Picking up gigs after turning them all away for three-and-a-half months isn’t easy. I had been (rightfully) replaced in my music jobs, and knew I would not be able to keep these commitments long-term. So, I took my newly-achieved educator license, my second bachelor’s degree, and turned to tutoring students in English Language studies online with VIPkid.

Right to the point: What does tutoring English Language Learners have to do with music education distance learning (or e-learning)?

Teaching for this company taught me quite a few things about delivering online instruction. Yes, I’m tech savvy, but these are things we can all take away. And of course, here's my disclaimer: I am guessing that these things will help. We don't know exactly how things will pan out in the long run. Anyway. Here are my tips, based on the tutoring experiences that prepared me for distance learning:

1. Be cheerful. Our students live in the age of YouTube and TikTok where everyone appears “Instagram happy.” (Could I possibly get more social medias in one sentence?) Whether you’re recording a voice memo, doing audio instructions in SeeSaw, putting together a video presentation, or doing synchronous learning via Zoom, appear cheerful. Smile, raise your eyebrows a little, and try to be pleasant. Customer service folks use the phrase “smile while you dial” for phone conversations. This is the same technique. You say you’re not a smiley person? You have major R.B.F.? For the latter, me too. I’m not asking you to be someone you’re not. I am asking you to be the most friendly version of you that you can be. Be genuine, but be welcoming. What it does: It makes you appear professional and familiar. People are attracted to positive energies, and are more likely to do what you are asking if they feel welcome.
   

2. Be prepared for behavior issues [in synchronous learning environments]. Those kids that want to goof off are going to goof off. Aunt Jamie is working from home and watching little Billy. She’s not going to put him in his place every time he acts out. You can’t stop to redirect him every time. In the VIPkid classroom, this happens. Timmy has to go potty, so he takes his phone too (oh jeeze). Jo Jo is on her phone, only glancing up to answer with one-syllable grunts. Gio wants to tell you about his day for thirty minutes (which is sweet, but not possible). Our kids are going to do things like this too. How do you deal? A couple thoughts: Have expectations and go over them often. Know how to pause/mute/kick people out of your classroom and do it. What it does: It helps you stress less when behavior challenges arise and know that you have followed a plan of action to help your student be successful next time.
   

3. Work with the tech you are comfortable with. If you log in to any of these ELL services online, there are teachers using green screens and all kinds of screen casting technology to expand on rewards and games for their international students. It. Is. Awesome. It is also not reasonable to expect every teacher to have this. What we see on YouTube and Facebook PLC’s are often the most experienced, highest tech folks. I love them all dearly because I need people to strive to be like. That being said, most of my ELL counterparts used paper flash cards and a handheld whiteboard to connect with their students. Can’t figure out that Zoom whiteboard feature? Go grab your Expo marker, a wash cloth, and a paper inside of a page protector and write it down “old fashioned” style. As long as your instruction is good, who cares if it’s high tech? 🙂 What it does: Assures your students get the information and experience they need without "fluff" getting in the way. Your delivery will be more confident without the extras.
   

4. Set and meet reasonable, essential objectives. If you’re planning to skip this one because it is too obvious, I feel you. Stay for a second, please. I keep reading how overwhelmed music teachers are because we are not ELA and math teachers. Because we are "only for enrichment" in this time. Because we are being asked to put together full concerts that maybe we will perform in May but we don’t know what is going to happen in May and "how can I possibly get Tammy to learn her trumpet part if she can’t work with Marcus who always helps her name notes" and… and.. and... You get my point. With online tutoring, we took things one lesson at a time. One or two major objectives at a time. The “end” goal was always that a child would speak or read better English than they started with. That’s it. You know that every day we work with small, essential objectives in hope that they reach the larger "final push" concert or presentation. What if we never get there? That's scary. We can't live in the land of "What if." Teach what is important. That is enough. What it does: Ensures that our students get the important "stuff."
   

5. Get Dressed and Look Professional. This is advice you keep hearing. I know it. “Put on work clothes so you feel better.” “Brush your hair like you would be leaving the house.” And you still have your leggings on and hair in a bun, don’t you! Go brush your hair, I’ll wait. You don’t have to go all out on the work outfit. I haven’t worn a dress and boots in over a week. But today is a work day and I put on a nicer sweater with my leggings. I did a little bit of makeup so I would feel good about the SeeSaw video I wanted to test out. If you’re on camera, your kids will feel more secure knowing there is some normalcy in your life - even if that’s just you looking like you! And it boosts your morale a little. What it does: As Lizzo says, Makes you feel "good as..." well you know. And brings some normalcy to your life!
   

6. Set A Schedule. Take a Break. This is one that a lot of ELL folks struggle with. I'm sure you do too. How many nights have you stayed up cutting out rhythm cards or grading playing exams? ELL online folks can teach however many hours straight they want. It’s all digital, who cares? For us in Central time, that’s 6pm to 8:30am. You read that right. All. Night. Long (cue Lionel). You too can sit in front of your computer for all hours of the day. Please don’t. If you're like me, work is "busy" and "busy" is a great distraction. I'm not as worked up over COVID-19 fears because I'm not on Reddit or Facebook getting slammed with info. Even still. Set your schedule and stick to it. I set mine for 7:45 to 3:15. It works for me. When 3:15 rolls around, I sing the clean up song, log off my work accounts, and do something else. What it does: Keeps you out on task without leading you down the rabbit holes later.

We are very lucky to have the ability to teach online. It is new, it is different. And for many of us, it is unusual and uncomfortable. It is absolutely doable and you are capable!

Those of you who have taught with ELL services and are now moving from your brick-and-mortar teaching environment to the online platform, what else can we share with our brick-and-mortar counterparts?