EDUCATION
An Internet Revolution: Teaching and Learning Languages Online
If you or your children have an interest in learning a foreign lan- guage or building your English-speaking skills, then an online language classroom could be just the right thing for you.
Languages learning has never been as easy as it is today. Te
online realm has multiplied the options for those seeking to learn another language. Most websites that have been developed specif- ically for learning a foreign language (predominantly English) are geared towards children, although there are a range of websites that are not age specific and have been growing their outreach to- wards adults, too.
Often classes are taught on an online platform where the tutor
and pupil meet in a video chat session for 25-45 minutes at a time. Some of these websites use their own inbuilt video capabil- ity for language learning which runs directly via their website, whereas others will utilise their site for promoting lessons and services but actually use Skype to deliver them. Most of these classes are set in a one-to-one environment where the tutor can give their pupil the necessary attention needed to build and develop their use of the new language. Te single student to teacher ratio also allows for the material to be individually tai- lored to fit the needs of each unique learner. Because of its online nature, communication between parents and teachers can be straightforward and dis- cussion around the best way to improve the student’s language learning can even be easier than in a traditional school setting.
Te companies that deliver these curric-
ula have been around for many years, but it is in the past few years that their growth has been truly explosive. Many of these
28 FOCUS The Magazine January/February 2019
programmes were originally developed for the children of the growing Chinese middle class, as parents aspired to better equip them for their futures. Even though English is a major subject in Chinese schools, parents often seek to supplement their children’s learning by enrolling them in online classes to connect with na- tive English speakers, widen their vocabulary, sharpen their ap- preciation for the correct use of grammar and develop their own oral proficiency.
Now it is not only the burgeoning Chinese market that fuels
the growth of these websites, but other markets such as Korea, too. Te growth of web-based language classes around the world has developed as we move more of our lives online, and also due to the proliferation of learning of all varieties via the Internet. Although English remains the most taught language online, there are websites dedicated to a multitude of other languages and aimed at more markets than just China. Each of these websites claim to offer a different approach to learning a foreign language but they have one key element in common: making language learning fun and obtainable.
Te singl student t
tacer ratio alows fo th matria t b
indivdualy taioed t fit th ned o eac uniqu larnr.
Online language learning can be of great benefit to both par- ties. As the student, it is possible for you to learn a language in an environment that is tailored specifically to you and your needs. Tis means that you, as an individual learner, can be stretched and supported ac- cordingly. As the teacher, it gives you flexi- bility and options. Many use the income from their online language teaching to supplement their salary from their main job or business, sometimes but not always in education. But many teachers like the flexibility that these platforms afford them
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