I have realized that responding to a student's concern in an empathic manner and follow on the feelings and concerns of student, makes a great difference in how open they are to encouragement and correction when needed.

What are some tips you can use to improve  your communication and online teaching to students that are Spanish dominant?

I have found that messages need to be conveyed slower, more direct, right-to-the point, and then written down and repeated when we use TMC.

Comment on Jennifer Williams's post: I find that the adult learner finds more challenges learning online because many consider it to be "impersonal". 

I really liked how the modules touched on how our frequency and quality of communication with our students impacts retention. The online student requires more constant communication. Some of the Challenges students face: self management (time to study), easiness of  Google "research" on due papers and writing skills in addition to technological fluency for the adult learner.

I have experienced with my most recent cohorts that they don't come prepared with proficient knowledge, respectful behavior and a reality check on the time and level of commitment an online course requires. It's challenging because many "adult" students in their twenties and early thirties appear to have a sense of entitlement. As frequent as the communication is kept, they can't seem to be ok with waiting a normal response time. Challenging indeed.