Learning a language online or in a real classroom? Both options have their advantages. The right choice depends on your schedule, your personality and your goal.
The advantages of online classes
No travelling, flexible hours, the chance to go over a lesson again or slow down a video. Online classes suit people who work, parents, and those who live far from a town. They let you progress at your own pace.
The drawbacks
Alone in front of a screen, you need a lot of self-discipline. And you may not speak much. If you choose to learn online, plan some time for speaking: video calls with a teacher, language exchanges.
The advantages of face-to-face classes
The group motivates you, the teacher corrects your pronunciation straight away, and you speak more. The informal chats before and after the class count too: they are often the first real conversations.
The drawbacks
Fixed times, travelling, sometimes a group whose level does not quite match yours, and a cost that is often higher.
Questions to ask yourself
- How much time can I spend each week, and when?
- Do I need a set structure to practise regularly?
- Is my goal to speak, to pass an exam or to read?
- What is my budget, and which free resources can I use as well?
Why not both?
Many learners combine the two: online resources for vocabulary and listening, and face-to-face time to speak. Before paying for a course, check what is included and the cancellation terms, and be wary of promises of very fast results.
Frequently asked questions
Are online classes as effective as face-to-face ones?
They can be, as long as you study regularly and plan time to speak.
Which format suits someone who is short of time?
Online classes, with short and frequent sessions, are often easier to keep up.
What should I check before paying for a course?
What is included, the number of hours, the cancellation terms, and that there are no unrealistic promises.
Learning your partner's language
On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.
General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.
Originally published on Parlons langue.