Improve your English without saying a word

A Young woman smiling and gesturing at her friend

Communicating in English goes far beyond simply learning English vocabulary. In fact, there are many non-verbal strategies you can leverage to appear more confident as you improve your English. Below you’ll find three of the most important aspects of non-verbal communication to work on:

Make eye contact when you speak in English

When you’re talking to someone, it’s best to look them in the eye as much as possible. This shows that you are engaged in the conversation and listening intently when not speaking. Especially in loud environments, you may find your eyes drawn to someone’s lips as they talk. While it may help you better understand what they’re saying in a noisy place, like a restaurant, aim to maintain eye contact as much as you can (but do remember to take a quick break away once in a while so as to not stare too intently).

Be mindful of body language

What you’re doing with your hands and the facial expressions you make can say a lot—sometimes more than words! Not only should you be aware of the body language of who you’re talking with, but you also need to know what your body language is saying about you. Different cultures see hand gestures differently so it's good to be mindful of what gestures you make with your hands. If you want to appear open and friendly you may want to keep your arms open and avoid closed body language like crossing your arms.

If someone is leaning away from you slightly, this may indicate they aren’t interested in the topic you’re speaking about. They may lean in closer if more interested in what you're talking about. If they smile a lot, this may mean they agree with you.

Prepare yourself for English conversations you may have

If you are planning to practice talking in English, it’s OK to prepare yourself for the conversation. Create a script for yourself to speak from that allows you to practice difficult terms and phrases. Not only will this give you real-time experience bettering your skills, but it will allow you to speak English with confidence.

Either in work situations or casual conversations, there’s more than just English words being exchanged so remember to dedicate your full attention. It’s an excellent opportunity to practice and improve your English skills and you’re likely to learn more than just studying on your own.

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    Language teachers know that remote teaching accentuates differences within a class. Students who need more time, repetition and reassurance can feel lost – unless we intentionally design for them. This guide explains how to support weaker learners online, assist struggling students remotely, and help language students who find classes difficult, all without slowing down the rest of the students. Using clear routines, inclusive online teaching and the right tools, you can create virtual classrooms where confidence and progress grow for every learner.

    Start with clarity and differentiation in online language teaching

    Differentiation in online language teaching begins with a precise understanding of all your students' needs.

    • Run brief skill checks at the start of each unit (listening, reading, vocabulary, grammar); a handful of well-targeted items reveals where weaker learners need focus.
    • Map access and conditions. Ask about device type, bandwidth and study environment to plan contingencies for low-tech days.
    • Set one micro-goal per learner per week (for example, “Use three new adjectives to describe a photo.”). Small, specific goals keep momentum.

    Remote teaching strategies for mixed-ability classes

    Mixed ability is the norm online. Structure your lessons to reduce cognitive load and keep every learner engaged; again this helps support struggling learners.

    • Use a predictable flow: Connect (review and warm-up) > Input (listening/reading) > Focus (language noticing) > Practice (guided) > Use (communicative) > Reflect (self-check).

    Offer "must / should / could" pathways:

    • Must secure essential outcomes for all learners
    • Should consolidate skills for those ready to go further
    • Could stretch confident learners without overwhelming others

    Keep tasks short (5–8 minutes) and signal the mode clearly (listen, read, speak, write).

    Scaffolding techniques for online language learning

    Weaker learners thrive on intentional scaffolds that lower barriers and build independence.

    Listening

    • Pre-teach a handful of key words with visuals or quick gestures.
    • Play audio in short chunks with a single purpose each time: gist, detail, then language noticing.
    • Reveal transcripts only after the second listen to confirm understanding, not replace it.

    Reading

    • Set a clear purpose (“Find two reasons the writer gives for…”) before reading.
    • Provide mini glossaries and encourage highlights and margin notes.
    • Model skimming and scanning strategies with a quick think-aloud.

    Speaking

    • Share sentence frames and functional language (“I agree because…”, “Could you clarify…?”).
    • Give rehearsal time with private voice notes before live speaking.
    • Use small groups with roles (timekeeper, summarizer, supporter) and prompt cards.

    Writing

    • Co-construct a model paragraph, then move to guided writing with checklists and word banks.
    • Encourage drafting and redrafting with a single improvement focus (for example, verb endings).

    Online ESL support strategies like these are included in many tasks, making it easier to scaffold without reinventing materials.

    How to engage weaker learners during online lessons

    Engagement is a design choice. Create multiple entry points and safe participation.

    • Offer varied response modes: chat, polls, reactions and voice. Let learners choose their on-ramp.
    • Structure breakout rooms intentionally. Pair confident learners with developing ones, share clear prompts and keep instructions visible.
    • Visit rooms to coach, not catch. Praise specific behaviors (“Nice turn-taking and great use of follow-up questions.”).

    Inclusive teaching online is about psychological safety. Normalize effort and mistakes: “Thanks for trying that structure – let’s polish it together.”

    Ways to motivate struggling students in virtual classrooms

    Students are most motivated when their progress is visible and they receive constructive, concise feedback.

    • Use quick, auto-graded practice for instant wins on accuracy.
    • Keep teacher feedback focused: one or two points per task, delivered as short audio/video notes when possible.
    • Allow resubmission with a success criterion (“Record again aiming for clearer word endings.”).
    • Celebrate micro-achievements publicly (with consent) and privately to build self-belief.

    Tips for supporting mixed-ability groups online

    Build independence with targeted asynchronous supports.

    • Post short screencasts (under five minutes) explaining tricky points.
    • Share downloadable task cards or checklists for low-bandwidth days.
    • Encourage weekly learning logs: What I tried, What worked, What I’ll try next.
    • Use spaced repetition through assignable mobile practice.

    How to adapt language lessons for different levels online

    Planning for multiple levels is easier when you think in layers.

    • Layer input: same topic, different text/audio lengths and complexity.
    • Layer support: word banks, sentence frames and visuals for those who need more; open prompts for advanced learners.
    • Layer outcomes: all learners meet the core objective; confident learners add a twist (for example, an extra opinion or example).

    How to help low-level students in online classes

    • Keep instructions concise and consistent. One slide = one task.
    • Model, then co-construct before independent work.
    • Use strategically: allow brainstorming in the first language, then pivot to English for performance.
    • Provide accessible materials: readable fonts, captions, transcripts and mobile-friendly tasks.

    Supporting your remote learners is both an art and a system. When you design with clarity, scaffold intentionally, and use the right digital supports, you can support weaker students remotely and online, as well as support struggling learners in language classes with confidence.

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    In the world of ELT, new materials are developed every year. It is unthinkable for most teachers to be using teaching materials that were published 10 years ago. Some would even claim that anything published before 2020 is already out-dated.

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    Ready to take the test?

    If you’re searching for an English proficiency test that fits into your life and helps you move forward, the app English Express Test is ready when you are. Take your test today and start your journey to studying in the USA with confidence.