A successful foreign language instruction program must effectively engage learners in ways that personalize and enliven the curriculum while motivating students to apply their learning to the real world. The learning environment is a key factor in determining the efficacy of learning, and as such it must be optimized. In this session, participants will discuss strategies for building a warm and active online community through welcome letters, discussion forums and group activities for collaborative learning. We will also focus on how to write an online course syllabus, and review the use of online assessment tools in online teaching.