What’s missing in international online education? A live teacher
Over the past decade, online education has opened unprecedented pathways for international students seeking a US academic experience. The rise of asynchronous platforms made classes accessible across time zones and lowered barriers to entry. But in the rush to scale digital learning, we left out the most essential ingredient of meaningful education: a live teacher.
For students around the world, especially those preparing to transition into American schools or universities, content alone is not enough. Videos, modules, and AI tools can deliver information, but they cannot interpret confusion, attune to culture, or build confidence. Human connection is not a luxury in international education; it is the bridge – and the key to enabling students to pursue US diplomas or dual diploma programs alongside their local credentials.
Why asynchronous alone falls short
Asynchronous learning offers flexibility, but it often places the heaviest burden on the students who need the most support. For English language learners or students unfamiliar with American academic expectations, independent coursework can feel isolating and confusing. When students don’t understand an assignment or misinterpret nuance, there is no one there to explain or reassure. Even async programs that claim they have live teachers are rarely conducting course instruction, but are simply available for check-ins.
The power of a live educator
A live teacher, especially in a one-to-one or small group environment, can do what asynchronous platforms cannot:
- Adjust instruction in real time
- Embed cultural norms and expectations into lessons
- Build trust and confidence
- Establish accountability and momentum.
In other words, live learning humanises the pathway. It allows international students to be seen, supported, and known… not just enrolled.
A safe gateway into American education
For many families, the idea of sending their child directly into a US school (physically or virtually) is daunting. A live one-to-one or small group model offers a vital bridge. It gives students a controlled, supportive environment to practice English if needed, ask questions without fear, and acclimate before stepping into a larger academic setting.
For students around the world, especially those preparing to transition into American schools or universities, content alone is not enough
This kind of gateway is particularly powerful for students who want to pursue American diplomas, dual diplomas, US university admission, or blended educational pathways. Live instruction accelerates readiness for these students.
Dual diplomas made possible
Live one-to-one and small group instruction models are especially compatible with dual diploma pathways. Because students can move through US coursework in tandem with their local curriculum, international schools can layer a second diploma option without disrupting their existing academic structures.
When students learn from a live teacher who can guide them in real time, they’re better able to master coursework, navigate US academic expectations, and build the confidence needed to succeed in both systems. This approach provides schools a seamless pathway to offer dual diplomas, give students globally recognised credentials, and expand academic opportunities – all without having to build a US program from scratch.
What we’ve learned at Fusion
At Fusion Academy, we’ve seen countless international students benefit from our approach centered on live teaching. Across 80+ campuses in the United States and our 100% virtual campus, Fusion Global Academy, instruction is delivered either one-to-one or in very small groups. Students engage directly with expert teachers who tailor each lesson to their pace, interests, and goals.
For some, this is supplemental support alongside their local schooling. For others, it’s a complete pathway to a US diploma from their home country. Many families even use live instruction with us as a stepping stone before transitioning fully to traditional American schools or universities. And for international schools looking to offer dual diplomas, our live, synchronous model makes this possible. Regardless of intent, the outcome is the same: students don’t just access high quality education – they experience it.
That’s why 99% of Fusion students who applied to a four-year college last year were accepted, and 87% of those students will be attending their first-choice college, including prestigious schools such as MIT, Stanford, NYU, and Boston University.
Reimagining what “online” should mean
International education has evolved dramatically, but its next stage will be defined not by greater automation, but by deeper personalisation. If we want international students to succeed in American academic systems, we must do more than export content. We must extend connection. Live teachers create the continuity, cultural understanding, and individualised support that asynchronous platforms simply cannot replicate.
Education is not a transaction. It’s a relationship. And in the international online space, the schools that recognise this will be the ones that truly open doors.
About the author: Jeff Poole is the vice chairman and former CEO of Fusion Education Group. Jeff has held senior leadership roles at National Heritage Academies, overseeing operations, academic performance, compliance, enrolment, and marketing across fifty-one schools in five states. He has also served on the board of the National Independent Private Schools Association and currently chairs the finance council for the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeff has a BS degree in food systems economics and management and a MS degree in agriculture economics, both from Michigan State University.
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