Online English as Second Language (ESL) Instruction in the Philippines

A Case Study Presented to The Division of Graduate Studies and Research The National Teachers College

In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Subject Critical Issues in Education Master of Arts in Education

Submitted to: Dr. Eduardo Dela Cruz Instructor

Submitted by: Ferdinand Balguna Fabian October 8, 2011

Online English as Second Language (ESL) Instruction in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

This paper is a compilation of three case studies anchored on providing basic information about On-line ESL Instruction in the Philippines. The discussion mainly talks about Korean students who are the primary clienteles, On-line ESL Filipino Instructors and On-line ESL Instruction companies operating in the Philippines.

Apart from a brief discussion of pertinent data gathered by the researcher, it presented common problems and critical issues on three focal points the On-line ESL learners, instructors and administrators. It also showed a careful analysis of the gathered facts, information, articles and experiential anecdotes.

While

numerous

references

were

available

for

ESL/EFL

instruction, the researcher found difficulty in gathering published and unpublished materials specific for online ESL instruction. As such, particular entries were only based on personal accounts, work

experience and informal interviews to present factual, if not validated, information.

The researcher summed up the key ideas after data analysis and formulated a generalized conclusion. Lastly, it offered

recommendations that could hopefully resolve the problems and issues discussed.

I. PRESENTATION OF FACTS English is an international language, spoken in many countries both as a native and as a second or foreign language. It is taught in the schools in almost every country on this earth. It is a living and vibrant language spoken by over 300 million people as their native language. Millions more speak it as an additional language.

English is spoken habitually in the United States, the British Isles, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Liberia, and many territories under the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is estimated that 300 million people speak English as a second language, and an additional 100 million people use it fluently as a foreign language. As a rough estimate, 1000 million or one billion people around the world have some knowledge of English,

either as a native language, as a second language, or as a foreign language. [1] There are many English programs that can be taught depending on some factors such as the needs and purpose of the student and the country or location he wants to study, live, or use English in.

English as a Second Language (ESL) is the acquisition or learning of the English language by learners / people who don't speak or use English as their first language. ESL is English taught in a country where the primary language is English. Its primary goal is

communicative competence using the English language. English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, on the other hand, English taught in countries where English is not the main language is referred to as English as a Foreign Language (EFL). If we stick to definitions --EFL is the English taught in the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and all countries where English is not the main language. [8]

Andre Geronimo wrote on his blog, ESL is about communicative competence. If you went to elementary and high school in the Philippines, you know that the goal of your English classes is mainly on grammar competence, not really on communicative competence. He

concluded that if we (schools) adopt or add the ESL in the academic curriculum, we can achieve both grammar and communicative

competence. [4]

It is also worth mentioning that the ESL curriculum is different from ordinary English classes. ESL is about language functions and survival. It is about learning how to speak enough language to function in a country where English is the predominant language. It is about practical English. It is about using English outside the classroom. Those wishing to go abroad will find ESL useful.

In ESL, English is not mandatory. English is taught at the learners' pace while still being able to get the best education possible, and thus it does not hurt learning as some people fear once English becomes the mandatory medium of instruction in all schools in the country.

Imperatively, teacher quality and other things should also be considered. Geronimo further emphasized that before one can become an English teacher, he should possess three things: excellent English skills, good teaching skills, and extensive knowledge of English.

Defining Online ESL Instruction

What is Online ESL Instruction?

As the Internet began evolving in the 1990s, learning institutions started developing ways of providing students with a virtual education experience. As technology advanced after the year 2000, more colleges and universities started using web-based learning.

Online education, increasingly popular over the past few years, has had quite a history. As the Internet began evolving in the 1990s, learning institutions started developing ways of providing students with a virtual education experience. Essentially, it is a way to increase students' knowledge in a particular area of study by giving them access to a wide variety of materials on the subject. While no face-toface interaction is found in online degree programs, students are still able to communicate with each other through their computers. The practical, functional and effective scheme of using technological advancement through online education and the need to learn English by utilizing Internet technology pave the way in the emergence of online ESL instruction.

According to the survey, Online Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning, conducted in 2006, 3.5 million students were taking at least one online course. The popularity of online education is consistently growing and, as the survey states, institutions estimate more growth in the years to come. [7]

Teaching online is a form of distance education; it can be taught partially or wholly over the internet. To begin with, many instructors dont feel comfortable in this new environment. The Internet has opened up many opportunities for online tutors and teachers, some of which pay quite well. However, the World Wide Web and the new technology offer a myriad of benefits to the instructor and the students. Moreover, the technology changes fast and there are even a backlash against the technology at times.

The instructor does not have to be in a classroom at a certain time and, depending on the type of course, doesnt even have to be online at a certain time, the internet offers incredible opportunities in time and space and communication with your students. You dont have to be in an office or a classroom or even in front of your computer. And you dont have to live in a major center as its as easy to teach an on line class from a small city in Colorado as it is from a beach house.

Suddenly the mobile teacher has emerged.

On line classes also offer a lot of benefits to the students as well. Students are offered with innumerable courses on line and they can register and participate in the class form almost anywhere on earth. Got a computer and internet connection and they can join, listen to the lectures, hand in their assignments, sit in on virtual classrooms and take their exams. [5]

As ESL is defined as the acquisition or learning of the English language by learners / people who don't speak or use English as their first language and online education as learning through the use of the Information Technology, hence, online ESL instruction was possibly coined.

Online ESL Instruction is essentially a convergence of online education and ESL instruction. It is anchored to help clienteles -students/ learners, young and old, professionals and non-professionals alike, from countries in which English is not an official or second language, to gain knowledge and practical application of English communicative skills. More importantly, it provides English language and life skills instruction to people whose first language is not English.

Using state-of-the-art advancements in information technology, the internet in particular, online ESL instruction paved the way to help these clienteles to learn English at the comfort of their own time and location. Instruction is at pace with their comprehension level, age and communicative needs.

Professional online ESL Instructors are highly qualified and equipped with ample trainings to deliver quality instruction and guidance to satisfy clienteles demands and achieve the goals acquiring English competencies.

Some countries which offer online ESL instruction are the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Australia and some parts of Europe. These countries offer their services with partner countries which bring in students such as South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Spain, Mexico and other second/ third world developing countries.

The Key Movers in Online ESL Instruction

The succeeding contents are based from the researchers personal accounts and professional experience to shed a brief

background on ESL learners and instructors backed up by the very few references available pertinent to online ESL instruction.

English being the universal language of the Internet has obliged non-native speakers to learn how to read, write and speak English to cope up with the latest trend. As such, the idea of online ESL instruction came out to the limelight. It provides dynamic learning activities that cater from beginners, intermediate, and even to advanced learners. This is supported with the latest interactive programs that let the students interact with its English teacher at a non-threatening environment through audio and video in a one-on-one learning manner.

Who are the online ESL learners?

English as a Second Language (ESL) learners are the students/ clients taking up online ESL courses. Common reasons of ESL learners in studying ESL mostly depend on their needs relative to their lifestyle, academic requirement or profession. ESL learners are usually

classified accordingly by age or level of comprehension / skill competencies.

Levels and Characteristics of Online Learners

Non-native English speakers like Asians and other students from foreign countries are the primary clients of online ESL instruction.

A. According to Age: The Young Learners

Children as young as four years old in international age (five or six years old in Korean age), usually start phonics learning from company-run or private day care centers and are commonly assisted by their parents on online classes. These learners are indeed very young and novice.

They start to learn English alongside their native language. They also start to learn writing and pronouncing the English alphabet and some basic words and expressions in English for casual discourse. Deductive method is usually employed like spoon-feeding and memorization techniques for easier understanding. Until about middle school age, they eventually face a little to more complex approaches for higher learning like reading comprehension, basic grammar and

sentence construction, error spotting, listening and short speaking exercises. The Young Adults

The young adults, usually around high school to university age, become more and more technical. Students at this stage learn more about advanced grammar, spontaneous speaking discourse, technical writing, listening and reading comprehension.

The reason behind why young adults study hard in English is that they have to get high scores on national qualifying exams to enter into reputable schools from high school up to college. It is indeed an alarming and sad fact which negatively redirects the true essence of learning the English language. In addition, this results to their short term learning and loss of interest and appreciation on the language, not to mention the long term advantages that English language acquisition could bring them. The Adults

The adults comprise the senior university students, young professionals, housewives, working mothers, and executives of different industries. Although most in this brackets already have

ample

to

advance

knowledge

in

English,

still

some

consider

themselves as novice or beginners up to middle intermediates.

Common among these learners is the drive to continue enhancing their speaking ability, spontaneity and fluency. Although they may be well-informed in technical grammar, most of them could still find it quite uneasy to construct complete compound to complex sentences without missing simple articles, prepositions and

conjunctions. Some of them even use highfalutin words to project that their vocabulary bank is well-versed even if the words dont rhyme with the ideas they have in mind.

On the other hand, other adult learners are indeed eloquent, articulate, profound and intelligent. Some of these learners have actually been to other English-speaking countries to study the language and expose themselves to various Western cultures. The United States, Canada, England and Australia are their favorite spots to go and study. They are mostly well-travelled businessmen, some may have come from well-off families, or some highly focused learners who have a broad understanding on the real essence of learning the English language.

B. According to level of comprehension / skill competencies: Beginner Most beginners are novice and young students with none to a very limited range in the English language. Although most students under this classification are young children, adults can also be considered as beginners particularly when they can barely construct even simple sentences, demonstrate comprehension or use simple expressions. Spoon-feeding and parroting are the common strategies used in handling these students.

1. 1.1. 1.2.

True Beginner Very limited communication in English Uses gestures and 1-3 word utterances

2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5.

Beginner Communicates with difficulty and many errors Very simple, unelaborated answers Many hesitations No ability to extend conversation Uses simple grammar & vocabulary

Intermediate Intermediate students can grasp simple to a bit complex ideas. They can engage into conversations with occasional grammatical errors like in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions and the likes. Many students have reached a learning plateau and get stuck at this level. As such, creativity and dynamic approaches are imperative in teaching intermediate classes.

1. Low Intermediate 1.1. Communicates understandably with some errors 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. Simple answers and little elaboration Attempts interactive conversation Attempts more complex grammar

2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4.

High Intermediate Communicates fairly well Some elaboration, especially on familiar topics Can converse with errors and some hesitations Uses more complex grammar & vocabulary

Advance Students under this bracket can mostly communicate well with less noticeable to very few lapses in sentence construction, speech fluency and delivery, and most importantly on topic comprehension. On hind side, the ease of having advance students is relatively subjective as they may become more challenging for the instructor on how to meet the higher needs of the learners in terms of beefing up their skills.

1. Advanced 1.1. 1.2. Communicates well with occasional errors Converses with lots of elaboration and interaction 1.3. 1.4. Errors don't hinder communication Uses advanced grammar & vocabulary

Some online ESL instruction companies may or may not have their own system for assessing student language levels. If the instructor works with a student one-on-one, knowing the 'level' is not as critical as knowing the student as he will soon discover strengths and weaknesses and develop a sense of what the student can or can't handle. However, if the instructor works with more than one learner,

his task will be much easier if they are all near the same language level. For this reason, many programs test language levels for all new students for placement purposes.

Although ESL learners represent a wide diversity of cultural backgrounds and language skills, they all have one thing in common-the need to learn and use English with confidence and fluency.

Online English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners are the students/ clients taking up on-line ESL courses. Common reasons of ESL learners in studying ESL mostly depend on their needs relative to their lifestyle, academic requirement or profession. ESL learners are usually classified accordingly by age or level of comprehension / skill competencies.

Who are the online ESL instructors?

Online ESL Instructors

English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructors are the teachers of on-line ESL courses. Online ESL companies normally use different names for this position apart from ESL Instructor such as English

Instruction Associate (EIA), Online Tutor, English Communication Coach (ECC), Online Teacher, English Instruction Coach (EIC), PhoneEnglish Teacher/ Tutor and the likes. Most people who teach English are in fact non-native speakers of that language. They are state school teachers in countries around the world, and as such they hold the relevant teaching qualification of their country, usually with a specialization in teaching English. For example, teachers in Hong Kong hold the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers. Those who work in private language schools may, from commercial pressures, have the same qualifications as native

speakers. Widespread problems exist of minimal qualifications and poor quality providers of training, and as the industry becomes more professional, it is trying to self-regulate to eliminate these. [2]

In the Philippines however, common qualifications are as follows:

- at least 2nd year college level, preferably a degree holder of AB English, Mass Communication, English Liberal Arts, Education major in English or any field that requires good English language communication skills - impressive command in the English language in speech and writing

- fluent in spoken English, preferably with neutral to American accent - excellent knowledge in grammatical structure and syntax - preferably with call center background - preferably LET passer and/or holds English proficiency certificate - computer literate and internet savvy - patient, flexible, creative, critical-minded, punctual, responsible, able to do multi-tasking, adaptable to sudden changes and cultural differences and passionate in teaching.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Standards

The following standards posited by allesl.com are commonly followed by online ESL companies to deliver quality instruction and service satisfaction for the students/clinetels.

Standard I. The ESL teacher understands fundamental language concepts and knows the structure and conventions of the English language.

Standard II. The ESL teacher has knowledge of the foundations of ESL education and factors that contribute to an effective multicultural and multilingual learning environment. Standard III. The ESL teacher understands the processes of firstand second-language acquisition and uses this knowledge to promote students language development in English. Standard IV. The ESL teacher understands ESL teaching methods and uses this knowledge to plan and implement effective, developmentally appropriate ESL instruction. Standard V. The ESL teacher has knowledge of the factors that affect ESL students learning of academic content, language, and culture. Standard VI. The ESL teacher understands formal and informal assessment procedures and instruments (language proficiency and academic achievement) used in ESL programs and uses assessment results to plan and adapt instruction. Standard VII. The ESL teacher knows how to serve as an advocate for ESL students and facilitate family and community involvement in their education. [6]

The Hiring and Employment Process It is indeed undeniable that the online ESL instruction has become a booming industry nowadays. As such, competition for an

online ESL teaching position has been as steep as securing an item in public schools.

> The hiring season for online ESL instruction relatively varies on the volume of clienteles which also depends on the winter vacation (January-February) and summer vacation (July-August). However, there are some companies which holds open hiring throughout the year but only on project basis like when the needs arise for video classes, writing courses and professional/ academic English exam reviews. Opportunities for offline classes are also in demand for camp tours, home stay programs and man-to-man classes.

> Hiring and selection procedures for instructors are also tedious which normally includes TOEFL type exams and a series of interviews conducted by the Human Resource Department and the company managers/ administrators.

> After passing the exam and interview, a series of in-house training follows which include employment orientation, online teaching skills/ strategies, company protocols and call-handling techniques. It is important to note that this phase is still a part of the screening

process. Thus, the trainees are still considered applicants and are not yet assured of being hired.

> The trainees will be evaluated based on the exam and interview scores, performance during the training sessions and finally, the dreaded test call. A test call culminates the entire training process wherein the managers will listen to a sample class of the trainee, evaluate his/her performance during the conduct of the class as per protocol and the assessment from the HRD.

> After successfully passing the hiring phase, the new employee would start from probationary status (usually from three to six months) until the regularization period. For some companies, the employment status of an online ESL instructor may vary if it will be by project-based or regular contract agreement.

> Part-time (5am-9am, 6-11pm), full-time (5am-2pm, 2-11pm) and broken (5-9am + 6-11pm) schedules are the usual working shifts and it is also important to note that Korean standard time is an hour earlier than the Philippine standard time.

> Korean holidays are observed. However, Philippine holidays are paid based on classification.

> Probationary employees receive basic salary (entry level ranging from Php 9,000-12,000 up to 20, 000; native-English speaking teachers usually range from Php 40,000-60,000) plus attendance incentives, student contract renewals, successful test calls and the likes. Regular employees also receive the same remunerations, however, they enjoy more benefits such as paid leave credits, performance appraisals and tenure bonuses. Salaries and benefits vary depending on company type and its policies for employee tenure and appraisal.

> Most companies abide by the Philippine constitution and labor law.

What makes up the online ESL company organization?

Until the present time, the Philippines has been reaping the advantages of being one of the best English- speaking countries as it becomes a hub for international call centres, business process outsourcing industries. This in fact opens a pressing challenge for Filipino competence and workmanship.

As such, the influx of call centre companies and business process outsourcing in the Philippines provides opportunities to showcase not only our profound English communication skills but as well as our innate passion for work and service with high regards of

professionalism.

More so, while the Philippines is a non-native English-speaking country, the less expensive cost of English-based business process outsourcing and other related customer services here is a major comeon to most countries all over the world.

In addition to these fast growing industries, the Philippines is now home to another booming academic-based business enterprise English as Second Language (ESL) Instruction.

Hundreds of online ESL instruction companies emerged like mushrooms in numerous key business districts in the entire country. Owned and managed by Korean businessmen who tie up with Filipino partners, these companies offer various online ESL services such as

Conversational English, Business English, Situational English, English for Young Learners, Survival English, English Grammar, Social English,

IELTS Speaking Module Preparation and Practice

Job Interview

Preparation, Interview Preparation for Academic Studies, TOEFL and the likes.

ESL instruction companies commonly have main offices in Korea with branch offices in partner countries like the US, Canada, Australia and the Philippines. The Korean main offices main concern is primarily promoting the services that the company is offering; marketing with the clients; screening and developing instructional materials; and managing and controlling the other aspects of the business like responding to clienteles claims, dealing with partners and investor, handling the accounts and financing and budgeting matters.

The partner country offices, on the other hand, basically provide the instructional services being the main product delivered by the enterprise. They are also in charge of hiring, training, and

management of the pool of instructors.

The company organization is composed of the President / Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is usually in the Korean main office; the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) who manages the company finances, also in Korea; The Customer Relations Manager (CSR) who deals with the

needs and demands of the clients; the Information Technology Head (IT) who is in charge of the IT, computer hardware and software, internet service providers and telephone communication systems; and the Research and Development Head (RnD) who is in charge of the instructional materials and instruction protocols, account specifications and trainings.

The Chief Operating Officers (COO) or Korean Heads alongside with the Korean Schedule Managers spearhead the operations, management and administration of the dynamics among the partner country offices. The IT Dept., RnD Dept., Training Dept., Human Resources Dept., Accounting Dept., and Account Managers comprise the Administration in the partner offices and are usually manned by the locals. The Instructors pool, on the other hand, is headed by Account Managers, Team Leaders and Coaches who lead, guide and supervise the Online ESL Instructors. It has also become common among the partner country offices to hire native English speakers as per clienteles demand.

What are the dynamics in online ESL instruction?

The Work Dynamics

> Time management is highly regarded. > Typical call protocol: Ten- Minute Class > One minute greetings and warm-up activities including transition to the main activity > Eight minute lesson proper > One minute wrap-up and closing activities including giving of homework, recap of corrections and praises. > Call protocols vary depending on the account being handled and served. > The office is strictly an English Zone. How the teaching-learning process does take place? The Online ESL Teaching-Learning Process

Issues and Challenges in Online ESL Instruction

What common issues and challenges do online ESL learners, instructors and administrators encounter?

1.) ...in relation to teaching / handling Online ESL Learners: (e.g. study habits, learning process, learning materials, attitude towards learning, class management, responding to claims and demands, needs of students et.al) >>>

*KONGLISH Korean English.

*High personal expectations with fewer efforts given. (They want to be good in English but rarely attend class and hate getting corrections)

*E-dictionary dependency and the use of hifalutin terms. (Even if they the teacher has already told them what the word means, they still look it up online or on their e-dictionary. This cuts the flow of thought and sets them back than helps them)

*Lack of exposure, confidence and practice. (There are very few people to speak in English with plus the fact that they are reluctant to practice speaking English)

*Lost in translation. (Students tend to translate their ideas in their native language to English leading to confusion, misunderstanding and the likes)

*Cultural differences and language barrier. (Since students are foreigners, it is not that easy to ask questions about things they are not use to)

*Mood of the students, attitude towards learning and study habit (This problem affects most of the aspects in the class; attitude, performance, etc. Students will learn depending on their attitude and willingness to learn. On the part of the teacher, they should motivate and give sincere assessment about their student's progress. Its difficult to just concentrate with the lesson when the students are busy with their work and couldn't prepare properly.)

*Topics for discussions. (some students are not interested with the topics on the text book)

*Sub classes. (Students tend to become stubborn when handled by sub teachers. Aside from the expected excellent teaching skills of the instructor, every change on the class of the teacher should be well informed by the managers.)

*Instructional

materials,

phone

lines,

internet

providers,

computer software and hardware et.al. (Some books are published with grammatical errors.

*Claims and complains. (If a claim was given about the instructor's teaching skills and attitude during the class, this should not be subjective and this should be fair. The complaints of students are mostly heard while teachers are often neglected. Students as our clients have their right to complain but it should be fair enough for the teacher since demoralization and motivation are two different words that should be consider.)

* Student skill and comprehension level assessment and evaluation. (The students should be properly assessed and given the right level or right course to study.)

*Nosebleed students. (Students who are zero English or can't even speak a decent sentence. I.e The Yes-Yes student = a student who says yes to everything even though he or she doesn't understand the question).

2.) ...of Online ESL Instructors at work: (i.e. company protocols/ policies/ regulations; work environment; work it self- handling students; work stress; salary/ incentives/ benefits; job security and others >>>

*Work culture and professional ethics

*Increasing work taxes

*Privacy vs Transparency

*Work change or abrupt implementation of Company protocols, policies and regulations

*Class distribution (It doesn't mean that you're the best teacher if you have more students than the others, hence, it will not give you more privilege to improve more of yourself if you already have a lot, though it's a fact that you can be richer because of the incentives that you can have. Fair distribution of students is important because on the part of the instructor which has fewer students, somehow a question of having good teaching skills is always asked. But again, it should be seen as a challenge on how to handle your class differently, more on the positive side.)

*Work load and deadlines (There are instances when so much tasks are assigned at the same time)

*Sick and Vacation leaves (Teachers are not assured that they will be allowed to use their leaves because of the students)

*Work Stress and Ergonomics (Jobs should be fun and not as a stressor. Workplace humour can reduce stress and contribute to a more fun and enjoyable work

environment. If youre overstressed and at risk for job burnout, you may feel that a major life overhaul is necessary for you to be able to enjoy your job and avoid burnout. Work stress is extremely prevalent in today's society, and can impact happiness levels, health, and other important aspects of your life so we better divert stress to fun.)

*Health, safety and security

*Executive Pay (Salary, incentives and benefits) (This is composed of salary, bonuses, short and long term incentives, employee benefits, paid expenses (perquisites) and

insurance. This is the basic reason why an employee chose to have a career not only a job in a certain field. Most online teaching companies have the same offer so the choices are limited, it's either take it or leave it. Since Filipino English instructors are well-accustomed on the western executive payment plan, Asian bosses should consider this as well.)

3.) ...in relation to working with/ for Online ESL Company Administration and Management: (e.g. management and administration per se) >>>

* Humiliation policies (Korean bosses tend to hate baby-sitting their employees)

* Lack of plebiscite (Any expression or determination of public opinion on some matter)

* Overwork but underpaid

* Overlapping of work

* Negative reinforcement preference

* OTY overtime thank you

*The complaints of students are mostly heard while teachers are often neglected.

* Communication with the managers (they dont just talk to employees if it is about their the teachers concern)

* Superiority complex (some managers think of the position so they dont usually respect regular employees)

* Consideration about the class

* Disciplinary points and sanctions

* Cultural difference and language barrier

III. CONCLUSION

Learning English online or via Internet has been proven to be at less cost, more effective and fun and still provide the same quality of teaching without the painstaking adherence to time schedules, location/travel and preparations. English being the universal language of the Internet oblige non-native speakers to learn how to listen, read, write and speak English to cope up with the demands of time and global competition.

Online ESL instruction like constructing and pronouncing a simple English sentence has its peaks and valleys.

For learners, online ESL instruction is a practical way to acquire basic knowledge in English. However, readiness and preparedness is imperative in order to acquire mastery and learning. Online ESL learners may vary depending on age brackets and learning

comprehension. Hence, instructions must be delivered carefully and appropriately to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the teaching-learning process.

While online ESL instruction brings pride to the Philippines being the new English Heaven by opening doors for employment and other professional advancements for teachers and even non-teachers, teaching online also comes with some notable drawbacks. Sometimes a pre-made curriculum is forced upon instructors teaching online, denying them the ability to use materials that have proved successful in their past courses. Teaching online can be also be isolating, and many instructors prefer interacting face-to-face with their pupils and peers. Some companies do not value online adjunct teachers, which can result in less pay and less respect in the academic community.

Since online ESL instruction companies are most, if not all privately owned, they should religiously abide by the laws and

regulations of the land particularly in ensuring the security and productivity of the instructors employed.

IV. RECOMMENDATION

>>> Relate personal experiences to enhance English skills (Give interests driven advice to students to help them start off a habit of exposing themselves to different mediums that use English. i.e. if the student is a movie buff then recommend movies that are related to the kind he watches and tell him to watch those movies. Make sure the movies are within his English level otherwise this advice would be moot or useless)

>>> Using social networking and offline relationships for English conversation practice i.e. ENGLISH DAY (if the student is married or has a gf/bf then spend a day speaking nothing but English); NO KOREAN ZONE (assign places in the house where one should only speak to other people in English. Make sure this place has heavy traffic like the living room or the dining area).

>>> Teachers can bridge the gap between the culture if they research or ask the student about it.

>>> Instructors can change the mood of the students by providing a lighter or happier mood, probably by cracking jokes or sharing nice things or news.

>>> Teachers can also provide good topics related to the topic on the book but citing latest examples that might catch the students attention.

>>> The students should always be prepared for their lesson or if not, should give notice ahead of time. >>> Teachers should try to make the classes more energetic and less dragging for the busy students.

>>> English instructors need to be creative, resourceful and wiser if they want to impart more knowledge to their students, not only relying on the study materials given by the company.

>>>

CURE

COMPANY

COMMUNICATION:

Open

door

policy

Willingness on the side of the management to accept the difference in culture, listen and follow some suggestion coming from the teachers.

>>> Korean culture up-training Basic and Advanced Korean language classes for teachers; Culture classes/video showing etc ; Korean events and movies exposure

>>> Teaching skills forum open a forum or create one where teachers can post their problems with their students and get or read advice regarding other situations or experience from other teacher with the same kind of student. This way they can choose which more like their style is and they can learn from each other.

>>> New policies can be compromised if they explain the reason and advantage of new or changed policies.

>>> Handling the workload would be easier if they will allot ample time so that things would be finished with higher quality.

>>> Leaves should be approved because it is every employees right or considerations should be given.

>>>The management should consider that for the teachers to give off their best they should also be satisfactorily provided with needs that will motivate them.

>>> Students should be properly assessed and evaluated in terms of skills and comprehension level.

>>> Dialogues with the employees and management should be done and have the right action. It always allow the other person to give a piece of their mind without equating being opinionated to being antimanagement

>>> Anonymous rant board a forum where the users are free to post whatever their problem is regarding the other employees, workspace and the management. Expelling negative thought through micro blogging and writing can significantly lower some people's grievances.

>>> Clear definition of job do not ask more than what you are paying someone to do. If you do, give due monetary compensation

>>> Company team building Christmas parties, holiday parties, or summer outings can increase the loyalty and camaraderie between the members of the group

>>> Overtime pay classification clarifying how much one gets and sticking to it would go a long way. Changing this for every individual makes it an avenue for competition and negative reactions.

>>> Leaves should be approved because it is every employees right or considerations should at least be given.

>>> Disciplinary points should be given with consideration, like emergency calls

>>> If a problem is raised by a teacher, there should be proper actions done to avoid misunderstanding.

>>>The management should consider that for the teachers to give off their best they should also be satisfactorily provided with needs that will motivate them.

>>> Students should be properly assessed and evaluated in terms of skills and comprehension level.

>>> Dialogues with the employees and management should be done and have the right action. It always allow the other person to give a piece of their mind without equating being opinionated to being antimanagement

>>> Learning about the difference with the culture will hinder possible effects of misunderstanding.

>>> Compromise is something needed.

>>> The management must listen also to the teachers to create a harmonious environment

F.B.F

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