The Intensive English Program is excited to resume in-person classes on the ILI campus. Over the past year, the Online IEP has gone on an exciting journey with ups (lively Zoom discussions) and downs (wonky Internet, anyone?). We’ve learned lots of fascinating new online vocabulary: Jamboard, Padlet, Screencast-O-Matic. Despite the challenges of switching to virtual classes, we’ve picked up powerful new tools for teaching and learning English to carry back into the classroom, from Google Classroom assignments to Flipgrid videos.
However, we miss the colored markers, dusty whiteboards, and crinkly poster paper of ILI. As much as we’ve made the most of Zoom breakout rooms and Google Doc collaboration, virtual equivalents can’t compete with real face-to-face interaction. We look forward to doing role plays, act-outs, and games with actual physical movement in the classroom. We can’t wait to hang up papers on walls, huddle with partners at tables, and feed off the energy of group discussions. In 2021 and beyond, the IEP will aim to combine the best of both worlds: online learning management systems like Google Classroom and on-campus immersion in U.S. language and culture.