I am often asked, “Can I successfully learn a language online?” People all over the world are taking advantage of this new concept and trend.
So, why not use the internet to learn a foreign language? Check out the first of this multi-part series — 10 benefits of online language learning.
Since the advent of technology and advancement, life has become more convenient.
With the help of the internet, one can do things that seemed unimaginable a few decades back.
The internet has made a myriad of possibilities easy for people around the globe.
In a highly competitive and evolving society, the importance of language education has never been more vital than it is now.
It has become essential to boost your confidence in your personal and work life.
Today, you need not travel far and wide to learn a foreign language.
The invention of the Internet has made the overall process straightforward. You can choose to learn a language online from anywhere on the planet.
More people than ever are engaged in virtual distance learning programs and receiving online tutoring.
It has resulted in many new software programs, electronic devices, and websites devoted to foreign language teaching.
However, some people are a bit skeptical about learning a language online, as they feel more comfortable studying face-to-face with their teachers.
Even if you think it can happen only in the classroom setup, this article is also for you.
Table of Contents
- 10 Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language Online
- 1. A Huge Variety of Courses, Languages, and Teachers
- 2. Location — Learn From Anywhere
- 3. Learning uncommon and Less taught languages
- 4. It’s more Budget-friendly than traditional classes
- 5. Online Language Courses are also efficient
- 6. You Get To Learn From Native Speakers
- 7. Comfort and Convenience
- 8. Builds Confidence
- 9. The flexibility of Online Education
- 10. Customized learning experience
- Conclusion: Should you take E-Learning Solution for Language?
10 Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language Online
Because of the fast-paced lives, many new language learning techniques have emerged in the 21st century. One such excellent option is online lessons.
It can help you reach eloquence and become multilingual.
If you’re still wondering why you consider online studying over the traditional classroom approach, we have some benefits of learning a language online.
Here we go.
1. A Huge Variety of Courses, Languages, and Teachers
No matter which foreign language or course you’re considering, you can always discover an online language learning program.
From Bahasa Indonesian lessons to learn Korean to ride the K-wave, there truly is an option for nearly everyone.
Traditional classes also enable us to enroll in a variety of programs in many foreign tongues. However, not all such opportunities are available everywhere.
You must travel far from home or move to another city or country.
Sometimes, you won’t find any choice other than e-learning.
You don’t always find the right instructor, educational institutions, courses, or timing. Besides, it is challenging to change midway.
Online language learning allows us to pick up new programs or teachers.
As a student, you can choose or change whatever suits you.
2. Location — Learn From Anywhere
Gone are the days when you had to travel extensively to learn something. Today, this is not the case. The internet has made life easy and comfortable.
Studying a language online means you can learn even when no teachers are available locally in your area.
You don’t have to worry about managing your time; you can practice comfortably.
Earlier, people traveled to other cities or countries to take intensive courses, which increased the overall expenditures.
However, online language learning means you can study where you live without spending additional money moving elsewhere.
Traveling time is almost eliminated.
3. Learning uncommon and Less taught languages
Do you wish to learn one of the Scandinavian languages?
Maybe you’re planning to relocate to the Netherlands for your job, and you need to learn Dutch. Finding a Dutch language institute in tier-2,3 cities other than metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore is tough.
Believe it or not, it is not very simple to find an educator for less taught languages, especially when you live in small towns.
Only major cities have language schools available in your chosen language.
Thankfully, online resources will come to your rescue.
4. It’s more Budget-friendly than traditional classes
You can save a considerable sum of money by learning a language online.
To engage in e-learning, all you need is a good internet connection, a laptop or smartphone, a few language apps or software, a camera, and headphones, which most people usually have these days.
You only pay for your online course.
Besides that, you do not need to incur expenses.
There is also plenty of valuable free study material.
You need not travel to other cities or abroad to learn a language, so you save that money, including the traveling cost.
5. Online Language Courses are also efficient
Technology has altered the way we study a new lingo.
A full-fledged LMS (learning management system) to online group classes via a good deal of software/app tools like Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts Meet, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Zoho web conferencing, and many similar platforms lead to efficient learning.
People hesitate and are reluctant to speak in front of other pupils in the class more often than not.
But when you learn online, you can take the sessions individually, which makes you more confident and allows you to express yourself in a new language confidently, freely, correctly, and efficiently.
You can find plenty of multimedia content in online learning settings.
It includes PDF files, presentations, videos, audio, one-to-one interaction with the trainer, messaging, grammar tasks, translation features, auto-correction, and many more options.
You can also use different resources, look things up, and incorporate other tools simultaneously with your lessons.
6. You Get To Learn From Native Speakers
Are there any real benefits of learning a language from a native speaker?
To a certain extent, yes.
Native speakers could teach you at a better and more profound level than a non-native tutor.
For example, if you want to learn Mandarin from someone whose mother tongue is different, you will surely miss some language areas.
But if you learn online from a Chinese teacher, you will know far better.
A language learned from native speakers would be more effective if your primary goal is accents and pronunciation.
Whether it’s French, Spanish, or German, or one of the east-Asian languages like Chinese, Korean, or Japanese, taking classes from the native exposes you to local slang, idioms, and dialects.
You will gain knowledge of history and culture that a non-native speaker might not know. Plus, it is more fun when you talk to native teachers.
Online language learning provides you with the privilege to learn from native speakers.
You can find plenty of native tutors offering an array of classes.
There are also many language exchange programs available.
7. Comfort and Convenience
Learning a language online is less time-consuming, especially for those who are always “on the go.”
People already working and have time constraints can undoubtedly take advantage of learning a language online.
Simply put, online mode means you can study from the comfort of your home.
You need not travel to other cities or abroad to learn a language; you save that money, including travel costs.
Wherever you are, you can log in and start the classes.
For instance, you can learn German from a tutor from Austria from the comfort of your residence in Australia, India, or anywhere.
It saves time and money.
The rise of different mobile applications, browser-based, and desktop software like Duolingo, Memrise, Babel, LinguaLift, Italki, Busuu, Hellotalk, MosaLingua, HiNative, Rosetta Stone, and many more have made this even more accessible for people.
With a mobile app, you can also take your online class while you are stuck in traffic, cooking, or even during break time.
8. Builds Confidence
Learning anything in life leads to mental growth and societal development.
When you grow, you feel optimistic and convinced.
You will gain confidence if you attend practical classes where speaking and listening are instantly available. E-learning inculcates that spirit.
Many students are shy and afraid to ask questions when they don’t understand something. They also hesitate to share their opinions and ideas in a group class.
The online courses through a tutor can help you overcome these emotions.
Besides acquiring the nitty-gritty of a language, a person also dives into the other country’s culture, which helps him have a more ubiquitous perspective.
We live in an ever-changing world, so change is required and unquestionably a confidence booster. Give it a try.
9. The flexibility of Online Education
Online language learning means more flexibility. The teacher could transfer study materials and share links, documents, and materials efficiently and quickly.
The teacher can give examples and use images and videos to exemplify meanings and clarify concepts.
If you study at any language institute, missing a class should be rare; otherwise, you will fall behind the syllabus.
And if you cannot attend regular classes because of personal or professional obligations, you can take e-courses. You have more control over your schedule and class timing.
You can access online foreign language courses anytime, anywhere, as your schedule permits, without traveling.
This level of versatility will help students learn, grow, and accomplish objectivity.
10. Customized learning experience
Most established offline courses have a fixed and planned curriculum.
While this is good for most students, what if you require guidance for a particular segment?
Let’s say you will meet some business clients from Turkey, and that’s reasons to learn Turkish, just some conversational skills.
Or perhaps you are preparing to take DELE A2 — A Spanish proficiency test.
You can get an online teacher to tailor sessions to your needs for these custom situations.
As an outcome, the mentor can also focus on the student’s doubts, strengths, weaknesses, and difficulties.
The money you will spend will be worth it.
Learning via Skype, Zoom, Google Hangout, Adobe Connect, any LMS, or any other virtual classroom tool provides a more varied learning experience.
You progress at your own pace according to your specifications, and you can also emphasize more on your weak topics.
Conclusion: Should you take E-Learning Solution for Language?
Studying a foreign language is still possible through various online courses, no matter what stage of life you are in.
These are only a few reasons and benefits of learning a language online.
If you are keen to learn a language and time is also a constraint, nothing can be better than online language learning.
You should assess your situation and then decide as per your aim.
To sum up, choose the one that suits you best.
Are there any disadvantages to online language learning? Of course, but that will be for another day. Happy learning!
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