Online teaching presents new challenges and opportunities for ESL teachers. Keeping ESL learners active and engaged in virtual classrooms can be tricky, especially when teaching English remotely. However, with the right strategies, online lessons can be just as interactive and effective as in-person classes. Whether you’re an English teacher working from home or managing a large virtual class, here are 20 practical tips to boost student participation and make spoken English learning more fun and productive.

Start with a Warm-Up
Begin each lesson with a quick icebreaker or conversation starter. This helps ESL learners get comfortable speaking English from the start.

Use Visual Aids
Incorporate images, videos, and infographics to support vocabulary and grammar explanations.

Breakout Rooms for Pair Work
Utilize breakout rooms for role plays, peer interviews, or short discussions. This promotes spoken English practice in a low-pressure setting.

Interactive Games
Play vocabulary bingo, online quizzes, or grammar challenges to make learning fun.

Call on Students by Name
Engage your learners by calling them by name when asking questions or prompting discussion.

Use the Chat Box Creatively
Encourage shy students to participate by typing answers in the chat box or reacting to classmates’ responses.

Integrate Polls and Surveys
Use live polls to spark conversation and check understanding during your lesson.

Assign Roles
Give each student a role in an activity—moderator, timekeeper, reporter—to keep them active and responsible.

Real-Life Scenarios
Create simulations like ordering at a restaurant or job interviews to practice real-world spoken English.

Use Student Names in Examples
Make learners feel included by using their names in sentence examples or activities.

Set Clear Goals
At the start of class, let students know what they will learn. Clear objectives help focus attention.

Incorporate Movement
Ask students to act out verbs or show items from around their home for vocabulary practice.

Mix Up Activities
Switch between speaking, listening, reading, and writing tasks to maintain energy.

Use Online Whiteboards
Let students write or draw their answers on a shared whiteboard for visual engagement.

Encourage Peer Feedback
Let students correct or praise each other’s work to promote collaboration.

Give Instant Feedback
Provide quick, positive feedback to keep motivation high.

Assign Fun Homework
Use creative assignments like recording a vlog or writing a travel diary to keep English learning fresh.

Track Participation
Keep a simple chart of who speaks each class to ensure equal participation.

Create a Safe Environment
Make it okay to make mistakes. Students are more likely to speak if they feel supported.

Celebrate Progress
Acknowledge improvements, even small ones, to keep learners motivated.