Thalia Luna: Online ESL Teacher

Thalia Luna began teaching ESL in 2009 at a public school in Chilpancingo, Mexico, and later became a teacher trainer at the same school. Her passion for education blossomed.

In 2014, she moved to Los Cabos, Mexico, to work as a Language Coordinator within the hospitality industry, developing the Cabo Azul Resort’s ESL program to help adults learn English, engage better with guests, and advance their careers.

It was in 2016 that Thalia Luna discovered the world of online ESL, working with students aged 3-16 in China. She hasn’t looked back ever since. Now, she is a full-time online ESL educator, leveraging her cross-cultural background and extensive experience with both adults and K-12 learners to empower her students in every stage of their language-learning journeys. Currently, she also helps deliver supplemental support and virtual learning by providing additional tutoring to Off2Class district partners, such as Oklahoma City School District.

Empowering students through Off2Class

At the beginning of 2021, a few of Thalia’s old students reached out to her for her help in preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exams for university. Realizing that they didn’t have many financial resources at hand, Thalia went on the hunt for a cost-effective, time-saving option – and she found Off2Class.

“I started looking for some material that I could use because I have a lot, but it wasn’t really what they needed,’ said Thalia. “They wanted it to be TOEFL certified. So that’s how I found Off2Class.”

Since then, Thalia has integrated Off2Class into her everyday teaching. “My favorites are the ones where they have a level indicated,” she said, “I often start with A1 or B1 – it’s like a litmus test to see where students are striking in terms of their CEFR level.”

Adaptation is the basis of teaching

While standardized language exams like IELTS or TOEFL are impactful and effective for many students, Thalia believes that in learning and teaching ESL English, one size doesn’t always fit all. At the core of her educational philosophy is the importance of flexibility and adaptability – to understand, and master, how to empower ESL students from all walks of life.

“We always have different students – ages, backgrounds, culture. So what makes a good teacher is to be able to engage a student into a class by learning to adapt and connect with them on a whole new level.” 

In Thalia’s classroom, she prioritizes a learner-centered approach over a materials-centered approach. “I always assess a student, what their goals are, and what they want from a class – and I take it from there,” said Thalia, “if a student were a younger one, I would use a lot of props and flashcards and singing, and if they’re older, for example in high school, I adapt my classes to focus on their cultural background and current stage in life.”

Teaching in a multicultural environment

And, for Thalia Luna, learning to adapt classes to the learners expands across cultures and continents too. As she explained, “if you learn to connect culturally with your students, it creates a bigger and stronger bond.”

Indeed, merging linguistic and cultural capital is second nature to Thalia because of her upbringing. Thalia’s parents were born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States, bringing with them their rich heritage, customs, food, and language. In her online ESL classroom, her lived experiences, bilingualism, and multiculturalism are therefore powerful assets. “For my Chinese students, I understand that they have many holidays there that we don’t have here. For instance, the Mooncake Festival, so I tell them about Dia de Los Muertos. It’s amazing – I love to compare backgrounds and what we eat during different celebrations because it creates a hook for students. They get so engaged, and they start asking more questions, bringing new conversations.”

Thalia’s teaching style is a widespread success across continents precisely because she champions the notion that ESL learners’ strength comes from the fact that they speak more than one language. “My grandpa used to say all the time: the person who speaks two languages has double opportunities in life. So I always tell that to my students – if you know another language, it will definitely open a door for you.”

Thalia is one of the fantastic English Tutors at Off2Class. Interested in learning more about how we support school districts and teachers of English Learners? Book a demo with our friendly sales team today.