Best Led Lights For Online Esl Teachers

Best LED Lights For Online ESL Teachers

Use LED Lights to Brighten Up Your Online ESL Classroom

As an online ESL teacher, lighting is among the few factors you will need to keep in mind while setting up your workspace. In fact, many online ESL companies consider the brightness of your workspace both during the recruitment stage as well as when evaluating your performance. What’s more, you may be asked to improve your lighting setup if the online ESL company you work with thinks it is affecting your classes.

Having good lighting as an online ESL teacher is important. A good, bright ambiance for your virtual classroom  ensures your students can clearly see you – especially as you speak and interact with them – and makes you appear professional. Besides, a nicely lit room might also brighten your mood.

Many online ESL teachers neglect lighting, and needlessly pay the price in terms of lower ratings and popularity. Invest in good lighting options and your investment should pay off in better ratings and more classes, and more opportunities.

Improving the lighting in your virtual classroom set up is not expensive, and not difficult to accomplish. The only challenge with lighting is that everyone is going to have unique lighting needs, depending on other factors such as your skin complexion and the current brightness of your workspace. Because of this, we are going to look at different types of lighting solutions for the online ESL teacher.

LED Lights are the Way to Go

LED lights cost a bit more than other types of lighting, but the prices are coming down. Even then, using LED lights costs less over the long-term, as they need to be replaced less frequently, and are significantly more energy-efficient than alternatives. Another benefit of using LED lights is that they can provide continuous light for long periods while not emitting as much heat as other types of lighting. The last thing you want is to teach ESL online for hours sweating buckets because of the heat coming out of your lights. You won’t feel that way with LED lights.

If you use a green screen while teaching ESL online, adequate LED lighting can provide continuous brightness for illuminating the screen.

So, let’s look at the several advantages LED lighting offers over alternatives:

  • Longer lasting than incandescent, fluorescent, CFL, and halogen
  • Significantly more energy efficient: a 6-watt LED bulb can produce the same amount of light as a 40-watt incandescent bulb
  • Give off less heat, making them safer and more comfortable to use
  • Higher brightness and intensity than other types of lighting, and as much as 10 times the lumens as an incandescent light with the same wattage
  • Wider color range: LED lights offer a wide range of color and color temperatures, making them ideal for adjusting the intensity or warmth of the lighting to suit your desired ambiance
  • More reliable and durable: unlike some alternatives, LED lights don’t break easily, thus providing more stability
  • Illuminate instantaneously: when you turn on a LED light, the light is at full brightness immediately
  • Emit light in one direction: whereas other forms of lighting emit light all around, LED lighting emits light in a single direction, giving you concentrated illumination and little to no light leakage

Getting Your Lighting Set Up for your Unique Situation

Online Esl Teaching Lighting

Before you go buying a bunch of LED lights, you need to first think about the room or space, and the current lighting situation, where you plan to teach ESL online.

Overhead Lighting

The first thing you want to address is overhead lighting. If you already have bright lighting fixed into or hanging from your ceiling above where you will teach, you will probably need to add minimal lighting close up to get the job done. If not, then you want to first address the overhead lighting, because that is going to have biggest impact on the ambiance of your workspace.

The easiest way to address overhead lighting is to install LED lights overhead. You want to be sure that the lights are facing down, directly above where you sit or stand while teaching online.

Natural Light

Natural light can be a plus, but it can also work against you. Depending on what time of day you teach English online, and where your windows are situated, natural lighting can have either a positive or negative impact on your room ambiance, as well as your own comfort. Natural lighting is not consistent due to time, direction, and weather patterns. You might also feel incredibly hot during summer months, and natural light from behind can actually make you appear darker – or even silhouetted – on screen.

Green Screening

If you intend to use a green screen while teaching ESL online, your lighting setup is even more important. When you green screen, your lighting set up should not only illuminate the green screen consistently, you will also need some lighting to illuminate yourself. Indeed, lighting is just as, if not more, important than the green screen itself.

Everyone will have unique lighting set ups for green screening, so there is no one size fits all solution. At the same time, green screening for online teaching doesn’t require the same expensive equipment as it does for photography or videography. An affordable green screen kit that includes lighting might well get you the results you need. Or you may need additional lighting overhead and on the desk.

Best LED Lights for Online ESL Teachers

We are going to look at different types of LED lighting options you have as an online ESL teacher, as this will better prepare you for considering and setting up lighting based on your specific needs.

LED Shop Lights

Led Shop Light Online Esl Teaching

LED shop lights are ideal for online ESL teachers who work in a dimly-lit room and need bright overhead lighting. The first step to achieving good, consistent illumination is to start with a well-lit room, and shop lights will give you that. Of course, shop lights are intended for workshops, and while technically your workspace is not a workshop, it is a space where you will require bright lighting.

The single biggest pro of installing shop lights is obvious – you can significantly brighten the room with one or more shop lights. One downside is that you will either need to fix or hang them from the ceiling, which means they do require a bit of handiwork. Another consideration is that you can’t easily move shop lights around. Since you fix them to the ceiling, you ought to be sure this is the spot where you’ll be teaching ESL online for a good long while.

  • Five-light interior chandelier
  • Brushed nickel finish; frosted seeded glass
  • 18-1/2 Inch high; 20-5/8 Inch in diameter; 36-inch chain; 120-inch wire
  • Uses five medium-base bulbs, 60-watt maximum (not included)
  • Five-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship; CETL Listed
  • 5 light chain chandelier
  • Oil rubbed bronze finish
  • Requires 5 vintage filament 60 Watt bulbs, Type C (not included)
  • (3) 60 Watt max E26 Type A Bulb (not included)
  • Hardwired, Wall outlet switch
  • 486pcs glass cut, 63 crystals
  • Expertly crafted with top quality materials
  • Finished in an antiqued bronze patina.

LED Puck Lights

Best Led Lights For Online Esl Teachers

LED puck lights are actually intended to brighten up areas like the kitchen or closets, but they can illuminate your online ESL workspace just as well. Puck lights are very inexpensive, but their real advantage is the ability to adjust their brightness to set the right ambiance for your workspace, and this can be done with a remote control. You can also set them to turn off on a timer, and they’re very easy to install – just stick them onto the ceiling or a wall. These low power lights will last for a long, long time.

The major downside of puck lights is they operate on AA batteries, so you will need to replace batteries, and probably need a lot of batteries on hand.

  • VOICE CONTROL: The Philips Hue Go White and Color Portable Smart Light Table Lamp works with Alexa smart home devices for voice control (hue hub required, Alexa smart device and hub sold separately). For the full Hue experience and to take advantage of voice activation purchase the Philips Hue Hub (Model: 458471). Search "Philips Hue Hub" or "B016H0QZ7I" to find this product on Amazon.
  • LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: The wireless, portable and rechargeable Hue Go lasts up to 3 hours without needing a charge. Control through the Hue home automation system or via the on-product button. Customize your own personal light show on the go, capable of 16 million colors and shades of white light.
  • EASY AND CONVENIENT: Control your Philips Hue Go even without your smart device at hand. Activate smart light settings directly by pressing the button on the product. Or connect with the Hue Hub (sold separately) to control with the Philips Hue App.
  • EXPAND YOUR ECOSYSTEM: Expand your smart lighting system with Hue accessories (sold separately) such as a Hue Dimmer switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor.
  • SMART HOME DEVICE COMPATIBILIITY: Control your Philips Hue lights with your voice using smart home devices like Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. Pair it for home automation with your existing Nest or Samsung SmartThings system.80 CRI from 2000-4000K
  • UPGRADED FOR 2022 - Add life to your trees and enjoy a satisfying light show at night. With super bright 16 LEDs throwing a 120° lighting angle, it will illuminate your whole backyard. The solar panels are adjustable, durable, and look more handsome than other 4-6 LED lights in the market. Your landscape will simply look spectacular at nighttime.
  • 2 BRIGHTNESS MODES - Choose between Low Mode (12 hours) and High Mode (6 hours). Your outdoor lights know when it’s dark and can easily detect changes in outdoor brightness. Automatically switches from energy storage to lighting mode without motion detection. Doubles as a flashlight in a pinch. AUTO ON at night and AUTO OFF at sunrise.
  • INSTANT INSTALLATION W/ NO TOOLS - Set up is fast, easy to use. Stick into the grass with stakes and use it as a solar landscape spotlight. Or mount on the wall with the screws included and aim at a tree as a solar-powered wall light. See every part of your yard – even your dogs chasing a gang of raccoons. Light up your garden, driveway, patio, pool, front doors, walls, garage, etc.
  • IPX7 WATER & HEATPROOF - Our garden lights are made of high-impact ABS material with an IPX7 wireless waterproof design. Meaning it can withstand rain and other extreme weather conditions. And it’s much more robust than other less waterproof grade lights.
  • LIFETIME WARRANTY - Covered for life, it’s warranted against loss, theft, and defects in materials and workmanship as long as you own the product. Or as long as you’re alive… So, you can rest in knowing that these solar lights have the quality that you are looking for. Certified by CE, FCC, RoHS, MSDS, UN38.3

LED Softbox Lighting Kits

LED softbox lighting kits are intended for studio use, and you’ve probably seen these types of lights when hiring a photographer for family portraits. Softbox lights are great for online ESL teachers using a green screen, as bulbs provide continuous lighting, and the softbox softens the light reflection, which is ideal for the green screen setup.

Softbox lights can take up a bit of space, so these might be the best LED lights for online ESL teachers who have a relatively spacious workspace.

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  • Please note: 1. The light stand is packed in a separate box inside the big package box (under the ring light box at the extreme bottom of the box)as shown in the 2nd picture. If you can't find it, please contact seller customer service; 2. Instructions for unfolding the stand are in the 8th picture. The legs are upwards, so please unfold the legs upside down
  • Kit includes: (1)18"/48cm Outer 55W 5500K LED Ring Light+(1)61"/155cm Light Stand+(1)Soft Tube+(1)White and Orange Color Filter Set+(1)Ball Head Hot Shoe Adapter+(1)Universal Power Adapter with Plug+(1)Smart Phone Holder+(1)Carrying Bag for Ring Light
  • Dimmable 18"/48cm Outer 55W 5500K 240 Pieces LED bulbs with a wide dimming range from 1%-100%. Special LED SMD design, lightweight and portable. No ultraviolet and infrared light radiation, low heat output, safety, and environmental protection
  • 61"/155cm light stand is constructed from aluminum alloy, giving it exceptional strength; The soft tube makes the light rotate freely for the best position. White and orange color filters are made of high light transmission plastic material with steady color temperature. The light stand is the most stable when the center joint of the legs is 4-8in (10-20cm) from the ground. Please note that raising the legs too high may cause the light stand to fall and damage the ring light.
  • A hot shoe adapter is compatible with most DSLR cameras and a smartphone holder for most smartphones (compatible with iPhone 13 Pro Max 13 Pro 13 13 mini Samsung Galaxy S22 Huawei, etc. ). Note: the camera and the smartphone in the picture are not included
  • Adjustable Color Temperature & Brightness: ACMEZING video conference light has 5 color temperature: Warm warm, Warm white, Natural white, Daylight, Cold white, adjustable range is 3200K to 6500K. Equipped with 64 10W brightness lamp beads and 5 level brightness adjustment. This webcam light can meet your different lighting need under various occasions to help you look your best.
  • Ring Light Design & Multi-Purpose: The zoom light adopts ring design to produce a soft, pleasing light that helps to smooth shadows and hide skin imperfections. It’s a desirable feature for anyone who’s concerned about how they look on video calls. The light for video conferencing is widely used for video conferencing, remote working, zoom call, self broadcast, live streaming, makeup, YouTube, Tiktok.
  • Stable Clamp & Flexible Tripod: The metal clip of the laptop light for video conferencing has a strong spring, which is firm and stable. It's equipped with foam cushion to ensure anti-scratch and anti-slip. The package also comes with a highly functional mini octopus tripod, which legs can grip, wrap or stand. These two types of brackets allow you to install the video conference light anywhere you want, you can install it on your laptop, PC monitor, desk, conference table, dressing table, etc.
  • USB Powered & Plug and Play: The USB charging cable brings us more power options. All devices with USB ports can supply power to the ring light for computer, such as monitor, laptops, mobile power supplies and USB chargers. The zoom lighting for computer is small size, light weight, easy to carry when going out, and the power cord is up to 2m, which can meet your lighting needs anytime, anywhere.
  • What You Get: 1*Ring Light For Webcam, 1*Superior Clamp, 1*Flexible Tripod, 1* Manual. We care about all details, each light for video conferencing is tested manually, it will be the best solution for your video conference lighting. 60-day refund and 18-month warranty, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we will reply within 12 hours.
  • Video Call Lighting: With adjustable brightness from 10% to 100%, get soft and even lighting on a video call with this tabletop lighting kit. Ideal for Zoom meetings, Skype calls, YouTube streaming, and more

  • USB-Powered Light: Keep the LED light powered via a USB wall charger (5V 2A) or USB power strip. For continuous long-time use, avoid powering the light with a laptop, tablet or power bank in case of fast battery drain and insufficient power output

  • Optional Color Filters: Included 8 filters with 4 colors (white, yellow, blue, red) give you the flexibility to create colorful lighting effects for game live streaming and more

  • Foldable & Extendable Tripod: With a minimum height of 8.85”/22.5cm, the mini tripod can be directly mounted to the panel light to offer an ultra-low position lighting. It is easy to set up and fold down. The height can be adjusted from 8.85” to 45.66” (22.5cm to 116cm) when using with the extension rod

  • Package Contents: Neewer LED Panel Light with USB Cable 2-Pack, Two Mini Tripods, Two Extension Rods, Two White Filters, Two Yellow Filters, Two Blue Filters, Two Red Filters

LED Desktop Lamps

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Most online ESL teachers will probably get by just fine with two LED desktop lamps. Essentially, these are study lamps, so you can use them for reading or other work during non-teaching hours, and then repurpose them for lighting when teaching online. What’s good about LED desktop lamps is that they’re inexpensive, bright, and easy to place on your desk. You can also move them around to get the lighting just right. Some desktop lamps are designed with a clip, which is useful if you want to clip your lamp on to the desk or attach it to your screen.

The one factor you need to keep in mind if you use LED desktop lamps is that they typically emit light in one direction, so you may indeed need more than one lamp, especially if you are using a green screen.

  • FULL SPECTRUM, LED LIGHT - Long-lasting, LED light delivers better brilliance and truer color for reading and performing detailed tasks
  • PERSONALIZED SETTINGS - Customize your experience by choosing between 5 light intensity levels and 3 color temperature settings ranging from warm white to daylight
  • SLEEK, MODERN DESIGN - Contemporary take on the traditional gooseneck floor lamp that fits seamlessly in any space
  • REDUCE EYE STRAIN AND EYE FATIGUE - Mimicking natural daylight, this floor lamp is flicker-free and equipped with an Optix lens to control glare, while helping to reduce eye strain and eye fatigue
  • LIFE IN A BETTER LIGHT - With over 60 years in healthy lighting and the creator of the original HappyLight, our US-based team is here for you with live support and a 1-year warranty
  • 【Height-Adjustable】Children's desk and chair set are both height adjustable,suitable for children aged 3-15 years old, increase comfort, and perfect accompany them grow up.
  • 【ERGONOMICS】This ergonomic design helps children have a perfect sitting position, which is important for shaping the child's spine. 【ADJUSTABLE TITLED DESKTOP】Twist the knobs on side of the table, the tabletop can tilts from 0-60° which can satisfy the need for children's study or painting.Appropriate angle can help kid protect eyesight and prevent myopia.
  • 【large storage space】The desk includes an embedded pull-out drawer with large storage space to store all the stationeries, such as notebooks, pens, papers, utensils and more,developing a neat and organized habit.
  • 【LED Lamp】: A free lamp is included,with 3 levels of brightness,offering good illumination for learning or reading. Kids can freely adjust the amount of light to suit their needs.How to adjust the lamp: You simply push the power button repeatedly to brighten the lamp and then hold down to turn off..
  • 【Safe and Sturdy Construction】Kids desk and chair set are made of high quality PVC panels, sturdy iron frames, more safer and stability, Perfect Birthday or Christmas gift for your child.
  • [Modern Design]: Gold desk lamp is designed with unique triangle artistic design style, the metal lamp body is perfectly combined with the frosted glass globe shade, it will be a nice decoration for your bedside table or end table.
  • [Size & Voltage]: Overall lamp size: D8.3" x H14.2"/ D21* H36cm, glass globe shade diameter 7.9"/ 20cm. Voltage: 110-250V for Worldwide, bulbs type: E26 base. Works with incandescent, LED, CFL, halogen (60W max, sold separately).
  • [Dimmable]: Fully dimmable when using dimmable bulbs and compatible dimmer switch. The installation is no problem! We provide all mounting hardware and installation manual.
  • [Widely Application]: Portable design mid century modern table lamp will add a touch of beautiful and elegance to your home or office give you a good experience. Modern glass desk table lamp suitable for bedside, bedroom, living room, study room, coffee table, etc.
  • [Customer Service]: If your glass shade broken, you could click on“YiMu Lighting Fixtures”and then click on "Ask a question" to let our know the original manufacture quickly,we will help u soon, such as some replacement parts and more.

LED Ring Lights

Woman Sitting In Front Of Round Light Inside Dark Room 2250409

LED ring lights are among our favorite types of lights to use for online teaching, because they’re not as glaring to the eye as other LED lights. LED ring lights are portable, attach to a tripod stand, and are easy to place practically anywhere on your desk. Though more ideal for taking selfies and posting videos on social channels, LED rings lights get bright enough to illuminate your immediate your face for the webcam.

We don’t recommend using just one LED ring light – you’ll need at least two, plus additional lighting overhead in the room. Ring lights are useful for ensuring your students can clearly see you on their screens. They are also handy for traveling teachers. You can neatly pack these into your suitcase as they’re both lightweight and compact, and because they’re flat, they don’t take up much space in your carry-on.

  • No assembly required with set-up in less than a minute; Collapses into a thin, portable, and durable portfolio case.
  • Measures 25'' x 30'' x 25'' to fit a variety of product sizes; Includes power supply, user manual, and pre-installed removable bright-white backdrop.
  • High output built-in LED lights for handheld photography with a camera or smartphone. Lights are positioned for optimum contrast, and provide 5600k daylight balanced LEDs with high Color Rendering Index (CRI) for consistent color. An extra light provides directional light modelling like in a photo studio, giving better highlights, contrast, and shape to product images.
  • A front 3-door system maximizes image angles while reducing outside reflections, and a top hole enables imaging from above.
  • Compatible with Amazon Seller app; Shoot, edit, and directly upload catalog images to Amazon.
  • 【High Brightness & Clever Touch Control】Sensyne selfie ring light features a high sensitivity touch panel design that has a longer life than traditional mechanical buttons. It provides full control to easily adjust the 3 color modes (cool white, warm yellow and daylight) and 10 brightness levels to meet your different needs. Perfect for Photographers, YouTubers, Vloggers, TikTokers, etc.
  • 【Versatile Accessories】 The USB-powered control helps protect your safety while improving the ring light’s brightness. The phone holder is spring-loaded and extends up to 5.3" wide, it is compatible with almost ALL smartphones with or without a case.
  • 【Fully customizable portable tripod Stand】 Extending from 15.7 inches to 50 inches, our tripod can be adjusted to any height within seconds as needed, short enough to stand on tabletop, tall enough to fit your height. This compact circle light set comes handy when you do makeup, artworks, beauty & fashion live streaming, video calls and more.
  • 【Wireless remote shutter】- the pocket-sized Bluetooth remote allows you to take selfies or group photos easily from a distance up to 30 feet. Compatible with most Apple/Android smart phones like iPhone 8/7/6 Series, Samsung Galaxy Series, etc. No app download necessary.
  • 【After-sale service】We will provide you with a high quality after-sales, 12 months After-sale service. Please contact us anytime if any question.
  • 【Selfie Stick Tripod】: Bluehorn*YUN TENG Joint brand Model. Wireless Remote Control. The range of the wireless connection can be up to 10 meters. It can be perfectly Compatible with Most Smart Phone in Market, Such as iphone 14 13 12 11 pro max XS MAX 8 6 7 Plus Android Samsung Galaxy note 20 10 S10 S9 Blackberry LG etc. The selfie stick body is made of Aluminum Alloy and the legs are made of highly tough ABS which will keep the tripod very strong and sturdy.
  • 【EXTENDABLE & FOLDABLE】Extendable length from 8.1 inches to 40 inches so you can choose your desired length.Compact pocket size design, which is easy to carry. You can take it anywhere making it perfect for travel, sports activities, camping, family gatherings and much more.
  • 【Wireless remote shutter】wireless remote control shutter ,fast connecting speed and low engery cost,offer you a long time use.The range of the wireless connection can be up to 10 meters and widely compatible with most Android smart phones like All The XR/XS/X/8/7/6 series Or Plus series, Samsung Galaxy series, etc.
  • 【Notice】Becasue of cellphone system, only some Android devices can run the "Zoom In" and "Zoom Out" functions with the wireless remote control. Apple devices including iphone and ipad Do Not support zoom in/ out function.
  • 【Service 】Please feel free to contact us if you have any problems,we will do our best to serve you.
  • Package list: 1 x Extendable Selfie stick tripod, 1 x Phone Holder, 1 x Remote Controller, 1 x Micro-USB Cable , 1 x User Manual

Finishing Up

Lighting is something you will need to spend some time tweaking and refining as you go with online ESL teaching. There is just no one size fits all solution for everyone, since online ESL teachers work in different types and sizes of rooms, with their own unique atmosphere, have different skin complexions, and may use lighting for green screening.

If you already have a brightly-lit room for teaching online, we recommend starting with two LED desktop lamps. These should be adequate for enhancing your ambiance in front of the webcam.

On the other hand, if you’re working from a dimly-lit room, you’ll want to invest a small amount of money to brighten up the room, and for this, shop lights are great, assuming you are working in a dedicated space in your home.

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