I am often asked, “Can I successfully learn a language online?” Since people all over the world are taking advantage of this new concept and trend.
So, why not use the internet to gain a foreign tongue? Check out the first one of this multi-part series — 10 benefits of online language learning.
Ever since the advent of technology and advancement, life has become way 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 and easy for people around the globe.
In a highly competitive and evolving society, the importance of language education has never been more vital than 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 opt for online language learning from anywhere on the planet.
More people than ever before 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 find learning a language online a little skeptical 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 to 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.
The traditional classes also enable us to enroll in a variety of programs in many foreign tongues. But not all such opportunities are available everywhere.
You have to travel far from home or even move to another city or country in most cases.
Sometimes, you won’t find any choice other than e-learning.
You don’t always find the right instructor, educational institutions, courses, or even 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, it is not the case. The internet has made life easy and comfortable.
Studying a language online means you can learn even when there are no teachers available locally in your area.
You don’t have to worry about managing your time, as you can practice at your comfort.
Earlier people traveled to other cities or countries to do an intensive course, which adds to the overall expenditures.
However, online language learning means you can study where you live without spending additional money on moving somewhere else.
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. It is tough to find a Dutch language institute in tier-2,3 cities other than metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
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 with your chosen language available.
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 opting to learn 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 usually most people 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.
More often than not, people hesitate and reluctant to speak in front of other pupils in the class.
But when you learn online, you can take the sessions individually, which makes you more convincing and learn to express in a new language confidently, freely, correctly, and efficiently.
You can find plenty of multimedia content in online learning settings.
It includes pdf files, presentation, video, 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 a deeper 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 area.
But if you learn online from a Chinese teacher, you would 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 and enjoyable when you talk to native teachers.
And 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 who are already working and have time constraints can undoubtedly take advantage of learning a language online.
To simple put, in 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, so 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 have your online class while you are stuck in traffic while 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.
If you attend practical classes where speaking and listening occurs instantly at your fingertips, you will gain confidence. E-learning inculcates that spirit.
Many students are shy and afraid to ask questions when they don’t understand something. They are also hesitant 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 are living in an ever-changing world; it is very much required and an unquestionable confidence booster. Give it a try.
9. The flexibility of Online Education
Online language learning means more flexibility. The teacher could transfer study materials, share links, documents, or study material efficiently and quickly.
The teacher can give examples and use images and videos to exemplify meanings and make concepts clear.
If you are studying at any language institutes, 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, from anywhere, as your schedule permits, without having to travel.
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, but 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.
For these custom situations, you can get an online teacher who can tailor-made sessions as per your needs.
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 tools provides the learner with a more varied learning experience.
Not only you progress at your own pace as per your specifications, but you can also emphasize more on your weak topics.
Conclusion: Should you take E-Learning Solution for Language?
No matter what stage you are in life, studying a foreign language is still possible through the various online courses.
Well, these are only a few reasons and benefits of learning a language online.
If you are very keen to learn a language and time is also a constraint for you, nothing can be better than an online language learning direction.
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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