How to Use Zoom for Your Online Classes

Zoom is a popular video conferencing platform that allows people from different parts of the world to connect online. Many schools and universities use Zoom for online classes, and it’s important for online English learners to know how to use its functions effectively.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate Zoom for your online classes.

Joining a Zoom Meeting

To join a Zoom meeting, you will need an invitation link or a meeting ID and password from your school. Follow these steps to join a Zoom meeting

  • Click on the link your school has provided or open the Zoom app and click on “Join a Meeting.”
  • Enter the meeting ID and password your school has provided.
  • Wait for the host to admit you into the meeting.

Using the Chat Function

The chat function in Zoom allows you to communicate with other participants in the meeting. Here’s how to use the chat function:

  • Click on the chat icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Type a message to the group or to an individual participant.
  • Use the chat function to ask questions or provide feedback during a class.
  • Share links or resources with the group.

Using the Raise Hand Function

The raise hand function in Zoom allows you to indicate that you have a question or would like to speak. Here’s how to use the raise hand function:

  • Click on the “Participants” icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Click on “Raise Hand.”
  • The host or teacher will then know that you have a question or would like to speak.

Using the Audio and Video Functions

You can use the audio and video functions in Zoom to communicate with other participants in the meeting. Here’s how to use the audio and video functions:

  • To turn your camera on or off, click on the camera icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • To mute or unmute your microphone, click on the microphone icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.

Using the Annotate Function

The annotate function in Zoom allows you to draw on the screen, highlight important points, and collaborate with others. Here’s how to use the annotate function:

  • Click on the “Share Screen” button at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Select the screen or application you want to share.
  • Click on “Annotate” and choose the tool you want to use.
  • Draw on the screen or highlight important points.

Using Noise Canceling

The noise cancelling function in Zoom allows you to reduce background noise and improve the audio quality of your meeting. Here’s how to use the noise cancelling function:

  • Click on the arrow next to the microphone icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Select “Audio Settings.”
  • Click on “Advanced.”
  • Choose the noise suppression level you want to use.

Joining a Breakout Room

A breakout room is a separate meeting within the main Zoom meeting that allows smaller groups to collaborate. Here’s how to join a breakout room:

  • Click on the “Breakout Rooms” icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Select the breakout room you want to join.
  • Click on “Join.”

Asking for Help

If you need help during the meeting, you can use the “Ask for Help” function to get assistance from the host or teacher. Here’s how to use the “Ask for Help” function:

  • Click on the “Participants” icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Click on “Ask for Help.”
  • The host or teacher will then know that you need assistance.

Using Reactions

The reaction function in Zoom allows you to express your emotions or reactions with emojis during the meeting. Here’s how to use the reaction function:

  • Click on the “Reactions” icon at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Choose the emoji you want to use.
  • The emoji will appear on the screen for all participants to see.

Leaving a Zoom

Meeting When the meeting is over, you can leave the Zoom meeting by following these steps:

  • Click on “Leave Meeting” at the bottom of the Zoom window.
  • Confirm that you want to leave the meeting.

For more information watch the following videos

Temperature related words

In this mini lesson you will learn how to pronounce the following words:

temperature

degrees

degrees Celsius (°C)

degrees Fahrenheit (°F)

Kelvin (K)

You will also learn how to ask about the temperature of a place or a thing.

Practice time

  1. What’s the weather usually like in your city?
  2. How cold/ hot is it in your city today?
  3. What units do people use in your country to measure the temperature?
  4. Listen to the following song. Find the following phrase “200°F, that’s why they call me mister Fahrenheit” Type in the comments the second or the minute you hear it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I’m thankful for YOU!

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. Most families have a special dinner that consists mainly in turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash or turnips, cranberries sauce, and pumpkin pie. It’s a time to spend with family and friends.

Typical Canadian Thanksgiving dinner

Vocabulary related to Thanksgiving

Vocabulary related to Thanksgiving

Grammar related to Thanksgiving

Canadian families have different traditions during Thanksgiving dinner. My family has a special tradition before eating dinner. First, we say grace, which is a short prayer to give thanks. Then, each person says something they are thankful for. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for one’s life, health, food, family, friends, work, and freedom. 

How to use the word thankful?

First let’s analyze what part of the speech is the word thankful. It’s similar to the word thank, right? The word thank is a verb, so thankful is and adjective (many adjectives have a ‘ful’ ending). Can you guess what the adverb form is? Yes, the adverb form is thankfully (many adverbs have a ‘ly’ ending). Yay! We already have made a word family.

  • thank (verb)
  • thankful (adjective)
  • thankfully (adverb)

The word thankful represents a feeling that people experience when they are happy because of someone or something. It is commonly used to express gratitude.

Thankful for someone or something

Examples:

He is thankful for his wife.

I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve received during these hard times.

Thankful to do something

Examples:

I’m so thankful to be alive.

She is thankful to have a job


Practice time

What are you are thankful for today?

Share your answer in the comments below.


For more details about word families, check this:

10 Canadian Animals Pronunciation practice for ESL students

Canada is a famous for its winter sports and maple syrup. However, Canada is home to a wide variety of beautiful animals.

In the video below you will find a list of 10 animals native to Canada. Watch the video, listen to the pronunciation of each animal and repeat.

Happy practice!

Spelling and Pronunciation

If you want to learn more about the Canadian biodiversity visit Environment and Climate Change Canada YouTube channel.

Essential Vocabulary for Online Meetings

Lately most of us have been attending virtual meetings. Zoom has become one of the preferred platforms for working and learning remotely. In one hand virtual meetings have become an effective way to communicate with colleagues, teachers and classmates. On the other they have become a source of stress and anxiety especially for non-English speakers.

This quick guide will offer useful vocabulary and phrases to improve your communication skills online.

First of all you need to become familiar with the icons and their functions. It’s important that you learn how to pronounce their names in English. Some words are universally used around the world but the pronunciation varies according to the language.

USEFUL WORDS

Here is a list of words that can help you for your next virtual meeting/ class.

  • video conference
  • host
  • participants
  • camera on
  • camera off
  • adjust volume
  • microphone on
  • microphone off (mute)
  • share screen
  • poll
  • turn up the volume
  • turn down the volume
  • chat
  • record the session

USEFUL PHRASES

Here are some common phrases used during virtual meetings. How many of them have you heard before?

  • Can you hear me?
  • Can you see me?
  • Can you see the presentation?
  • Can you hear the audio?
  • I can’t hear you / I’m having trouble hearing you.
  • Your mic is off
  • Please turn your mic off
  • I can see you but I can’t hear you
  • I’ll share my screen
  • Can you share your screen?
  • I’ll stop sharing my screen
  • Can you stop sharing your screen?
  • Are you on mute? / I think your microphone is off
  • I have a problem with the connection
  • Sorry, I got kicked out
  • The connection is slow
  • I’m lagging / You’re lagging
  • My/ your video is freezing
  • Did you receive the link?
  • I’m waiting for it to load
  • It’s not loading
  • Scroll up please
  • Scroll down please

Do you want to practice pronunciation? Download a worksheet with pictures and audio