Yes! You need a headset!

While it is technically possible to participate in our online foreign language classes without a headset . . . we really, really prefer that you use one.

Why?

• These are interactive classes where participants do not remain muted. Yes, they are muted when it's not their turn to speak, but they will speak in every lesson.

  
  

• Without a headset, when your child unmutes, I can hear ...

  • you teaching your other kids math

  • you arguing on the phone with your insurance company

  • your dog barking

    and all of those are distracting to the whole class (including me).

    
    

• You know how annoying it is when time is spent asking people to repeat themselves in a meeting? Now, imagine that the person is also trying to speak a language they don't know well. It's worse because

  • the student who's not being understood might think they've said something wrong when they haven't

  • their affective filter* might be raised by the awkward interaction in front of the class, which can hinder their learning beyond just that moment

  • the amount of time spent trying to work out this misunderstanding is double what it would be if we were all speaking our first language

*The affective filter is an invisible psychological filter that can either facilitate or hinder language production in a second language. source: CollaborativeClassroom.org

A good headset will block out background noise and make it easier for everyone to understand your child — which means less frustration and more learning! Here are some examples of what I'm talking about. These are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Logitech 960 Computer Headset

• Logitech High-performance USB headset H540 for Windows and Mac