VIPKid Global

Here are 5 quick things to keep in mind when you write feedback after a trial class!
1. Start with a welcome to your classroom.
2. Use the student's name throughout the feedback
3. Include lots of praise
4. Include one specific thing the student can work on, and how you plan to help them with it in the next class
5. End with more praise, and an invitation that you hope to see the student in your classroom again soon.

Teaching the short “e” sound can be tricky—students often mix it up with “a” or “i.”

Here are a few simple ways to make it clear:

1️⃣ Use your mouth
Smile wide and exaggerate the sound: “eh.”
Let students see how it’s formed.
2️⃣ Add a visual
Hold up something like an egg.
“e—egg.” Keep it simple and clear.
3️⃣ Make it active
Clap or chant: “e, e, egg.”
The rhythm helps it stick.
4️⃣ Practice with familiar words
egg, bed, red, ten—repeat and reinforce.

Keep it clear, visual, and a little fun. That’s what helps students hear the difference and use it confidently.

Silence after a question can feel uncomfortable online, but it is often a sign that your student is processing.

Try using the 5-second wait rule:

1️⃣ Ask the question once
Give the student time to think before repeating or rephrasing.

2️⃣ Treat silence as thinking time
Students may be translating, organizing their answer, or building confidence.

3️⃣ Stay calm while you wait
Smile, nod, and show that you believe they can answer.

4️⃣ Avoid rescuing too quickly
If you jump in with the answer, students may learn to wait instead of trying.

5️⃣ Build independence
Wait time helps students develop processing skills, confidence, and ownership of their answers.

It may feel awkward at first, but those few seconds can make a big difference.

When new content feels too hard, students can get quiet fast.

Sometimes it looks like they don’t understand anything, but really, they may be feeling discouraged or self-conscious.

Try shrinking the question.

Instead of asking:
“What animal is this?”

Try:
“Is this a cat?”

Yes or no questions give students a smaller step toward success. They can show understanding without the pressure of producing the whole answer right away.

Once they feel successful, you can build from there.

Small wins matter, especially for students learning English as a second language.

What’s one question shift that helps your students regain confidence?

TPR is one of the simplest ways to make language stick—especially for ESL learners.

It stands for Total Physical Response, and it’s all about connecting words to movement.

Here’s how to use it in class:

1️⃣ Match words with actions
Act out the vocabulary as you say it—cut, brush, jump, eat.

2️⃣ Make it clear and consistent
Use the same gesture each time so students begin to recognize the meaning right away.

3️⃣ Keep it simple and visible
Big, clear movements work best—students should understand without extra explanation.

TPR gives students a visual way to understand language, not just hear it.

And the more you use it, the more natural it becomes—for you and your students.

That magnifying glass tool on the screen? It’s more useful than it looks.

If your class is moving faster than expected, this is an easy way to keep students engaged without adding anything new.

Here are a few ways to use it:

1️⃣ Find it
“Can you find something red?”
“Find the letter B.”
Give them a target and let them move the magnifying glass to it.

2️⃣ Read it
Have students locate a word, then read it out loud.
It slows them down just enough to focus on accuracy.

3️⃣ Use it as a quick extension
When you have extra time, turn it into a simple game—find, say, repeat.

It keeps students moving, focused, and interacting with the screen the whole time.

The short “a” sound can be tricky—students often mix it up with “e” or “o.”
Here are a few ways to make it clear:
1️⃣ Model the sound clearly
Open your mouth wide and drop your jaw—“ah.”
Let students see exactly how the sound is made.
2️⃣ Use a strong visual
“a—apple.” Keep that connection consistent so students recognize it quickly.
3️⃣ Add rhythm
Clap it out: “a, a, apple.”
The repetition helps it stick.
4️⃣ Practice with familiar words
cat, hat, apple—words they already know make the sound easier to hear.
Keep it clear, visual, and consistent so students can confidently use the sound.

More words don’t always mean better teaching.

In fact, too much teacher talk can slow students down.

Incidental language—extra words around instructions and questions—creates more for ESL learners to process.

Clear, simple language helps students:
• Understand faster
• Respond more confidently
• Stay engaged

When we simplify what we say, we strengthen what students can do.

Say less—and your students will say more.

Save this as a quick reminder before class.