Rob Howard, a native EFL teacher in Brazil presenting how to increase student retention in an online course environment. By changing the way you teach, present, interact, follow-up and mentor, you can achieve higher retention rates. Our course has an 84% retention rate as compared to a national average of 43%.

1. rob howard
may 2014

2. If you are not willing to learn,
No one can help you.
If you are determined to learn,
No one can stop you.
Discuss:

4. Personality
Have fun
Turn on the cameras
Build a community

5. Empathize
Tedious
Unfriendly
Schedule

6. Personalization
Be positive
Give constant feedback
Give tangible suggestions

7. Feedback
Give ideas
Be the expert
Suggest ways to improve

8. Emails
Short
Specific
Offer help

9. Content
Send articles
Don’t over send
Personalize the message

10. Analyze
Them
Their needs
Their personality

11. Communicate
In English
Make them use it
Show them they can use it

12. Support
Follow up
Check in on them
Show them you care

13. The Results
Better learning
More conversation classes
Better retention

14. What
is
wrong

16. SLOW
boring
lifeless

19. Web
search
Watch
this
Break-
outs*

21. Look
ups
Find-a-
?
Other
people

24. Improvement - how & where
10
47
68
72
75
78
82
98
MOOCS WORLDWIDEONLINE ENGLISH SCHOOLS ORIENTATION FEEDBACK SHORTER EMAILS SOCIAL NETWORKING COMPANY PERSONAL BEST
retention

25. BETTER E-MAILING

26. In the words of the Black-eyed Peas, "Let's get it
started in here"! We are very pleased that you have
chosen online and I am here waiting to get you going
on the platform, in conversation classes and with your
free online orientation class.
All I need is to hear from you to help you get started.
Do you need the log-in information again?
Do you need help?
Let's get it started in here!!!!

27. I have noticed that you still haven't started on the
platform classes yet. Is there anything I can do to
help? Remember, I am here to have a private
one2one class with you to point out the system and
will be your tutor to follow your progress.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you
online.
HAVEN’T STARTED

28. I have noticed that you haven't been on the
platform for your classes for a few weeks. Is
there anything I can do to help? Remember, I am
here to have a private orientation class with you
to help you with any doubts and will be your
tutor to follow and guide your progress.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing
you online.
BEEN GONE AWHILE

29. Just wanted to touch base with you and tell you that
you’ve been doing great! Keep up the good work and
let me know if you have any questions.
Have you been doing Conversation classes? They are
important for your development and to build up your
confidence with speaking fluency.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you
online.
DOING GREAT

30. While looking at your grades I was really
impressed with the determination and
dedication you have toward your own
success. Keep up the awesome work and
thanks for letting me be a part of it. You
are an inspiration to all.
DOING GREAT

31. I have noticed that you are having some
problems with _______ and wanted to see
what I can do to help. I suggest some
extra attention to _______ and redo the
section to get a better understanding of
the material.
DOING POORLY

32. Although you don't have to, I suggest
staying in order with the classes to keep
you more focused on the subject matter.
This may help avoid lower review quiz
grades.
DOING POORLY

33. I have noticed that some students are falling behind a little in their
studies. To achieve maximum success from your classes, here is a rule
of thumb you might want to consider: the course is for six months
and calculates down to 4 sections per week. With only 3 to 5 hours a
week dedicated to your English, you should be right on track. Don’t
worry if you’re behind. Remember, whether you need a coach, a
cheerleader, a teacher or a friend... we are here to help you.
Don’t forget conversation classes and our Facebook group!
FALLING BEHIND

34. Come join our NEW Facebook community. Social networking
is such a large part of lives today and here is another
opportunity to practice your English skills on our private
online page. The purpose is simple. Practice, read, learn,
share and have fun! Dani, Michelle, Priscila and Rob will be
sharing ideas to help you, articles to learn from, questions to
answer and fun stuff too!! Please take a moment and join the
group and get to know us and each other better.
FACEBOOK

35. Everything looks great with your progress. I’m pleased
to see your grades. Attached, please find an article
about how to achieve continued success in an online
environment. I think it sheds some light about the
challenges student face and on how to avoid the pitfalls
of failure.
NOTHING NEW TO SAY

36. With the holidays coming, make sure you don’t fall behind. It is easy
to forget to study with all the parties with family and friends. You
have been doing such a great job that I hate to see you lose focus. Try
to commit to at least one day per week between presents and good
cheer. The result will be a present from me... better English (I know,
you wanted a pony).
If you haven’t seen it yet, I have put a chart of over 100 irregular
verbs on our private Facebook group page. Come join and see! It is
printable to study during those boring office gatherings (heehee).
Best wishes and Happy Holidays,
THE HOLIDAYS

37. Too much chocolate over Easter? Have we got great news for you!!!
Studies have shown that sitting and studying English can burn up to
50 calories an hour! But wait… there’s more… sitting and talking in
English can burn up to 100 calories an hour! So what are you waiting
for? Join us in Conversation class and get back into shape! Act now
and take your one2one orientation class, study 3 hours and join us
for a Conversation and you can burn a total of up to 350 calories
from the comfort of your home or office without pills or
supplements! With online, you’ll not only speak better, but you’ll
look better too.
Teachers are standing by!
WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT?

38. POORLY
• help
• suggest
• extras
OK
• reinforce
• give more
• conversation
• extra help
GREAT
• awesome
• ask how
• solicit do’s
• awards
REFERALS
• friends
• family
• colleagues
• testimonials

39. I'm organizing myself and doing
the exercises more slowly and
studying the publications in the
group too. Send you inquiries
soon, hahaha!!
Thanks for your attention and
patience, Rob. Is very good to
have you.
Gabriela

40. I didn´t know about the Facebook
group, I'll look for it.
My problem isn´t about conversation…
when I try to read books or articles I'm
very weak. But don´t worry, I'll try to
schedule a conversation class to show
you my progress ;-)
Vanessa

41. Thank you for your words.
They are an incentive to
keep trying to speak, read
and understand English. I
won´t give up! I am sure I
will do my best.
Fátima

42. …another important thing for
students is to always have
feedback, especially what are your
weak points. Thank you for your
email.
Marcelo

43. rob-howard@outlook.com
Facebook: robinhohoward
roberthoward@ibeu.org.br