Before the pandemic, I got up every morning and traveled from one side of the city to the other, often using several different forms of transport. I usually started first thing in the morning, walking a kilometer or two through a vast chemical park, pipes protruding in every direction, accompanied by strange and bitter smells. These were locations that were mysterious worlds unto themselves, places that were impossible for the average person to go to. Secret worlds that seemed like a cross between steampunk and the decayed industrial world of Bladerunner.
This was before the pandemic era when everybody was forced into online interactions whether they liked it or not. The online trend, like remote work, seemed to hang on long after the pandemic ended. Suddenly, trainers were offering their services on online training portals like Preply. It was impossible not to make the transition to online training if you wanted to stay in the training industry.
If I think back to those days of lockdown, I remember the stress of having to adapt to virtual conferencing tools. I was accustomed to face-to-face interaction, immediate feedback, and the organic communication of the physical classroom. I had to rethink my approach. It was not possible to replicate the in-person lessons I once gave. I suddenly had to learn how to navigate Zoom sessions, make professional slides, and share screens effectively. In the beginning, we were plagued by company firewalls, technical issues, and non-functioning equipment.
While many fundamental principles remain unchanged, the digital format offered me both challenges and new opportunities. It was a real challenge to persuade learners who previously enjoyed face-to-face lessons that they would get an equally valuable experience online. Some of my students were skeptical and never adapted to the new reality. Despite that, I found out that online training offered new opportunities, and that these normally outweighed all the disadvantages.
One of the biggest differences between classroom and online teaching is the format of the lessons. In a traditional classroom, trainers often rely on printed materials, sourcebooks, and A4 worksheets handed out to participants. These resources allowed learners to take notes and work through exercises. Some learners could create a good set of notes and vocabulary lists, while others were much less structured. Online learning, however, allows for a more structured and centralized approach. I started to create lesson slides in a landscape format, and the level of organization and preparation was generally much higher than before. It became a lot more time-consuming to prepare for my lessons. This meant that learners started to get a higher level of service when it came to the things they took away from the lesson.
Because vocabulary lists can be generated in the chat function, I noticed that learners were leaving the classes with a much better list of vocabulary and phrases. I was able to respond to their learning gaps and preserve my answers online for later revision. This allowed learners to systematically review key terms from each session and engage in spaced repetition. Rather than relying on inferior black-and-white photocopies, handwritten notes, or scattered glossaries, learners suddenly had access to well-structured vocabulary lists and downloadable materials.
Another key advantage of online training was the use of interactive tools. In a face-to-face classroom, vocabulary review or grammar exercises often take the form of teacher-led drills, printed gap-fill worksheets, or printed tests. While these methods are effective, they can sometimes feel repetitive or lack an element of gamification. Online learning, however, offers a variety of engaging digital tools that increase participation and motivation. Platforms like Wordwall, Kahoot, Quizlet, and Mentimeter allow trainers to create interactive quizzes and vocabulary games. Learners can compete, collaborate, and receive instant feedback, which helps reinforce knowledge in more engaging and fun ways.
Beyond engagement factors, online learning also provides flexibility and accessibility that traditional classrooms often struggle to match. In a physical training session, learners have only one opportunity to absorb the materials. If they miss a class, they miss the content. In an online setting, lessons can be recorded and stored, allowing learners to revisit difficult concepts at their own pace. This is particularly valuable for Business English learners who may need to review key phrases before an important meeting or refresh their memory on presentation techniques. Trainers can also provide extra resources, such as self-learning modules, industry-specific reading materials, practice exercises, or pronunciation tools, which learners can access when needed. Simple free tools like Padlet or Moodle offer effective online environments where learners can access content safely.
Despite these advantages, online learning does come with challenges, particularly when it comes to interaction and engagement. In a physical classroom, discussion and group work happen naturally, learners can see and respond to each other’s body language, ask spontaneous questions, and engage in informal small talk before and after class. In an online setting, participation can feel more structured, and learners may hesitate to speak up in a virtual environment. To counteract this, trainers need to be more deliberate about creating opportunities for interaction. One effective strategy is the use of breakout rooms for small-group discussions, which encourage learners to practice speaking in a more relaxed setting. Trainers can also use chat features, live polling, and interactive whiteboards to keep learners engaged and involved in the lesson.
Another adjustment trainers must make in online learning is how they provide feedback. In a physical classroom, trainers can immediately correct errors, respond to questions in real time, and offer personalized feedback based on observations. In an online setting, trainers often rely on a combination of real-time and asynchronous feedback. Today, trainers can use AI-powered language tools, for example, to give instant grammar and pronunciation instruction. Tech-savvy trainers can use recorded audio or video feedback instead of just written comments. The possibilities are just endless.
An informal approach, those fun moments when learners practice English outside of structured lessons, can be encouraged in online training. In a classroom setting, these interactions happen naturally, whether through a chat before class, a casual discussion during a coffee break, or in breakout rooms. However, online trainers need to actively create these opportunities. Solutions may include virtual networking spaces, optional discussion forums, or dedicated chat groups where learners can continue conversations beyond the formal session. Encouraging learners to use English outside of structured lessons helps reinforce their progress and makes the learning process feel more natural.
For trainers, the key to success lies in adaptation rather than replication. It involves rethinking the structure of lessons, maintaining engagement, and achieving learning outcomes. Online Business English training can be more dynamic, personalized, and effective than ever before as long as trainers fully utilize the advantages offered by the digital format.
In the end, moving to online training wasn’t just a necessity, it turned out to be an opportunity. We found ways to streamline lessons, improve organization, and make learning more accessible. Sure, the easy flow of face-to-face conversations and the fun casual chats are harder to replicate. We lost that, but the benefits of structured lessons and especially flexible access opened up new possibilities. The way we teach has changed, and maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Image by Herbert Aust from Pixabay
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