Starting With English With Experts (Previously: English By Skype)

1. What if my availability changes?

I can email the new availability to the coordinator.

I can correct the availability in the online 'availability sheet" myself. There is no need to notify the coordinator.

Teachers' availability changes all the time. it is totally OK to adjust the availability. Please mark it in the online availability sheet yourself. There is no need to email the coordinator about it ( but there is no problem if we do email us as well). Make sure that your availability page is current as it is exactly how we match teachers and students- we look at teachers' availability page.

Explanation

Teachers' availability changes all the time. it is totally OK to adjust the availability. Please mark it in the online availability sheet yourself. There is no need to email the coordinator about it ( but there is no problem if we do email us as well). Make sure that your availability page is current as it is exactly how we match teachers and students- we look at teachers' availability page.

2. There is a limit on how many lessons a student can cancel.

True

False

The students are allowed to cancel ( reschedule) no more than 20% of the classes.The tutors have the right to count the lessons as taught if the student exceeds 20% limit. Please let us know if your student is reaching the 20% limit and we'll remind them about the policy

Explanation

The students are allowed to cancel ( reschedule) no more than 20% of the classes.The tutors have the right to count the lessons as taught if the student exceeds 20% limit. Please let us know if your student is reaching the 20% limit and we'll remind them about the policy

3. I have to use the teaching materials that the school provides me with.

True

False

We trust our teachers to select the materials themselves ( as most of you are experienced teachers and might have your favourite materials). However, we DO have a big library of books/ audios that you can use-- please check english-by-skype.info website ( page resources). Not all of our materials are on the website- if you need something specific - please let coordinator know and we'll try to find the necessary materials.

Explanation

We trust our teachers to select the materials themselves ( as most of you are experienced teachers and might have your favourite materials). However, we DO have a big library of books/ audios that you can use-- please check english-by-skype.info website ( page resources). Not all of our materials are on the website- if you need something specific - please let coordinator know and we'll try to find the necessary materials.

4. The student emails or skypes you 90 mins before the class and says that he/she can't have a lesson. Should you count the class as taught?

No, as the student as given the notice.

Yes, as 90 mins is not enough notice.

It depends on how many other lessons the student has already cancelled.

Students are required to give at least 6 hours notice for evening lessons and at least 12 hours for morning lessons if they'd like to cancel or reschedule their class. The classes will be counted as taught if the notice is shorter than that as the teachers can't plan their time well.

Explanation

Students are required to give at least 6 hours notice for evening lessons and at least 12 hours for morning lessons if they'd like to cancel or reschedule their class. The classes will be counted as taught if the notice is shorter than that as the teachers can't plan their time well.

5. Who should send the skype invitation before the ice-breaker/ first lesson?

Teacher

Student

Students expect teachers to add them in skype first. A good way would be to send a skype IM first, saying that you are ready to start and then call them.

Explanation

Students expect teachers to add them in skype first. A good way would be to send a skype IM first, saying that you are ready to start and then call them.

6. Having an ice-breaker means that the student has already been assigned to me and I can plan the first lesson with them.

True

False

The ice-breaker is only a chance for you and the student to meet each other. At this point, the student has not committed to you as a tutor. When the student DOES commit , you will receive an email from administration that the student is ready to start ( usually takes 1-2 days). If you have not received an email, then please do not start lessons.

Explanation

The ice-breaker is only a chance for you and the student to meet each other. At this point, the student has not committed to you as a tutor. When the student DOES commit , you will receive an email from administration that the student is ready to start ( usually takes 1-2 days). If you have not received an email, then please do not start lessons.

7. What if I need to cancel the lesson with a student?

I need to notify the coordinator about it.

I can cancel the lesson via the Organizer. There is no need to send emails.

Please use the portal for cancelling lessons. It'll automatically send the email to the student.

Explanation

Please use the portal for cancelling lessons. It'll automatically send the email to the student.

8. What should you do if you can't seem to find your student's skype ID/ email?

Email the coordinator

Look up in the organizer

Please note that as soon as the student is added to your organizer, you can always look up their contact details there. When you click on the student's name- their contact details will be on the left.

Explanation

Please note that as soon as the student is added to your organizer, you can always look up their contact details there. When you click on the student's name- their contact details will be on the left.

9. What should you do if a student is not online?

Wait for 5 mins. If they are still not online- I can log off and count the class as taught.

Wait for 15 mins. If they are not online, I can log off and count the class as taught.

Send the administrator a skype message that a student is not online.

The students will be charged for this class so it is best to wait till the end of the class. The student might come online for the remaining time ( even if it is 10 mins). As for notification, please email the student ( do not use skype messages as they only get delivered when both people are online at the same time). It is important to copy in the administrator, so that the case of the student not being online goes on record).

Explanation

The students will be charged for this class so it is best to wait till the end of the class. The student might come online for the remaining time ( even if it is 10 mins). As for notification, please email the student ( do not use skype messages as they only get delivered when both people are online at the same time). It is important to copy in the administrator, so that the case of the student not being online goes on record).

10. When should you log the lessons that you have taught?

At the end of the week

During the class or straight after the class

Every 1-2 days

Whenever is good for you

Please log the lessons as soon ( or while) you teach them. Otherwise, students will have wrong information and might overran their pre-paid classes. Remember, that students receive automated reminders about the number of lessons left and if teachers log the lessons later, then the students will have inaccurate information.

Explanation

Please log the lessons as soon ( or while) you teach them. Otherwise, students will have wrong information and might overran their pre-paid classes. Remember, that students receive automated reminders about the number of lessons left and if teachers log the lessons later, then the students will have inaccurate information.

11. What are two most common complaints about teachers?

Teacher speaks too quickly.

Teacher does not correct mistakes.

Teacher does not give homework.

Teacher does not use the webcam.

Teacher does most of the talking himself/herself.

All of the comments above have been mentioned by students, however two most popular comments are not correcting mistakes and not giving homework.

Explanation

All of the comments above have been mentioned by students, however two most popular comments are not correcting mistakes and not giving homework.

Submit

12. What is a student asks me to change the schedule?

If you have already negotiated the new schedule with the student , then there is no need to contact the coordinator about it. Just (1) adjust the schedule in the organizer and (2) your availability page.

Explanation

If you have already negotiated the new schedule with the student , then there is no need to contact the coordinator about it. Just (1) adjust the schedule in the organizer and (2) your availability page.

13. What kiind of quality control is there at the school?

Students leave feedback on lessons.

Administration will request recordings of some lessons.

Teachers may be asked to listen to some of their lessons and critically evaluate them.

Teachers may be asked to listen to other teachers' lessons and critically evaluate them.

We try to do all of the above. Usually, students leave their feedback and we try to take it into account while planning future lessons. Also, we do request teachers to record some of their lessons ( especially when you first start with us). The main goal is to provide constructive feedback. A lot of teachers find it extremely useful to listen to their own lessons ( a real eye opener as none of us are perfect!) and sometimes we might share the recordings of other students with you in order to learn from each other,

Explanation

We try to do all of the above. Usually, students leave their feedback and we try to take it into account while planning future lessons. Also, we do request teachers to record some of their lessons ( especially when you first start with us). The main goal is to provide constructive feedback. A lot of teachers find it extremely useful to listen to their own lessons ( a real eye opener as none of us are perfect!) and sometimes we might share the recordings of other students with you in order to learn from each other,

Submit