In this new, virtual landscape, there is a feeling that we should all be Zoom experts by now – but if you barely know your share screen from your chat function, you are not alone.
If you’re a teacher who has moved into teaching online, do any of the following statements apply?
- I’d like to be more comfortable with Zoom functionality
- I’d like to use it better to connect with students
- I’d like to generate more interesting, interactive online lessons
- I’d like to be able to control the online classroom better
- I’d just like some practice in a supportive, friendly environment
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, read on: below are the Zoom features worth learning first, some quick wins you can use in your very next lesson – and a live course where you can practise all of it with an expert trainer.
Which Zoom features matter most for English teachers?
| Feature | How to use it in an English lesson |
|---|---|
| Share screen + annotation | Put a picture, text or worksheet on screen and have your student circle, underline and label it with you – instant interactivity |
| Chat box | Type corrections, new vocabulary and model sentences as the student speaks, so they leave with a written record |
| Share sound and images | Play listening clips and show visuals inside the lesson instead of sending links out of it |
| Breakout rooms | For group classes: pair and small-group speaking practice you can drop in and out of |
| Whiteboard | A blank space for spelling, brainstorming and quick grammar diagrams |
| Recurring invites | Set up one permanent lesson link per student – no more lost links five minutes before class |
What quick Zoom tips will improve your lessons today?
- Join a few minutes early and check your audio, video and lighting before the student arrives.
- Keep the chat working for you. Drip-feed corrections and vocabulary into it during the lesson, then encourage the student to save the chat as their revision notes.
- Annotate together. Watch our short video below on how to annotate a picture with a student in Louisa's live lesson – it’s one of the simplest ways to make a lesson feel hands-on.
- Prepare your screen before class. Have images, worksheets and audio open and ready so sharing takes seconds, not minutes.
- Use the waiting room. It stops students dropping into the previous student’s lesson, and gives you a moment to reset between classes.
- Switch views deliberately. Speaker view for one-to-one conversation, gallery view for groups – and teach your students how to do the same so they can see each other during pair work.
- Have a plan B. Know what you’ll do if the connection drops – a phone hotspot or a quick switch to another app keeps the lesson alive. (Weighing up the alternatives? See our comparison of WhatsApp, Zoom and Teams for online English teaching.)
None of these tips require technical wizardry – they’re habits, and after a week or two of lessons they become automatic. The pay-off is real: a teacher who shares, annotates and uses the chat confidently simply delivers a more engaging lesson than one who talks at a webcam, and students notice the difference when deciding whether to book again.
Tips like these get you started – but there’s no substitute for guided, hands-on practice. That’s exactly what our short live course provides.
What is the Teaching English on Zoom Basics course?
Part of our Spotlight series, this is a live, practical course where you’ll learn some tips, techniques, and essential Zoom functions to help optimise your zoom-based online English teaching classes.
You’ll learn how to:
- Invite your student to lessons, set up recurring invites - the Zoom basics
- Share sound and pictures. We’ll look at selecting images which work and demo how to use them, plus advanced sharing options for even more original task ideas
- Use the chat facility to support interactive learning
- Share screen so you and your students can annotate pictures and documents
- Use break out rooms effectively and innovatively
This is not a dry a technology how-to course. Rather, it is a practical, hands-on teaching experience - bursting with ideas to make your Zoom-based lessons more inspiring and interactive.
How does the Zoom course work step-by-step?
- Engage in short pre-modules to prepare for the main live session. This will take you through the essentials with videos and short tasks and explainers.
- Take part in a live one-hour Zoom session with up to five other participants, led by an expert trainer.
- Leave with a pack of handy PDF resources, a certificate and a lot more confidence and ideas!
Open to all new or existing teachers, you will need to be able to join a Zoom session with sound and vision enabled.
This is ideal for updating your skills, continuing professional development and to showcase your knowledge to your employers.
Watch our short video on how to annotate a picture with a student in Louisa's live lesson below, then book your place today >>
Frequently asked questions
Is the free Zoom plan enough for teaching English?
Often, yes. The free plan covers one-to-one video lessons with screen sharing, chat and annotation, but meetings are capped at 40 minutes – workable for 30-minute lessons, awkward for hour-long classes, where you’ll need to restart the meeting or upgrade to a paid plan. Check current limits on zoom.com before you commit to a lesson length.
What equipment do I need to teach English online?
A reliable computer, stable internet (wired beats wi-fi), a headset with a decent microphone, a webcam and good lighting in a quiet space. On the software side, Zoom or a similar platform plus your teaching materials saved and ready to screen-share is all it takes to run engaging lessons.
How much can I earn teaching English online?
Earnings vary with route and experience: platform teachers typically start lower and build up through reviews and qualifications, while independent teachers set their own rates and keep the lot. Confident use of your teaching platform genuinely matters here – interactive, professional-feeling lessons are what persuade students to book blocks and pay higher rates.
Where next?
- New to online teaching? Start with our guide to teaching English online, freelancing and working for yourself
- Already TESOL qualified? Add our 20 hour Teaching English Online course
- Want ready-made Zoom-friendly lessons? Get the Teaching English Online Starter Pack