With the internet, learning a new language is easier than ever before. From language learning apps to on-demand courses to live online classes, there’s no shortage of ways to learn a new language.
But not all methods of learning a language are equally effective.
While apps and self-paced courses offer flexibility and convenience, live online language classes are more effective for several reasons.
As a longtime teacher, I’d like to share some of the reasons that I believe live online language classes like those offered by Lingoda (review) are the best way to learn.
Lingoda: Online language courses with native-level teachers
With live online language classes led by experts, Lingoda makes it easier than ever to learn a new language from the comfort of home.
1. Real-Time Interaction with Instructors
One of the biggest benefits of live online language classes from sites like Lingoda is the real-time interaction with instructors.
This dynamic allows learners to ask questions and receive immediate feedback, crucial for mastering a new language. Instructors can provide instant corrections and explanations, helping students avoid the reinforcement of incorrect language usage.
2. Structured Learning Environment
Live classes provide a structured learning environment, which is often missing in self-paced courses.
This structure ensures that students follow a systematic approach to language learning, covering all necessary aspects such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural nuances.
The regular schedule of live classes also helps students maintain a consistent study routine, which is essential for language retention and proficiency.
3. Motivation and Accountability
Attending live classes increases motivation and accountability. Knowing that an instructor and classmates are expecting your participation can be a powerful motivator to stay committed to your language learning goals.
In contrast, self-paced courses often suffer from high dropout rates due to the lack of external accountability.
4. Interactive and Engaging Learning Methods
Live online language classes from Lingoda and other sites often incorporate interactive and engaging learning methods such as group discussions, role-plays, and real-life scenario simulations.
These activities not only make the learning process enjoyable but also enhance the practical application of the language skills being taught.
Self-paced courses, on the other hand, typically rely on static content like videos and quizzes, which can become monotonous over time.
5. Immediate Application of Language Skills
In live classes, students have the opportunity to practice speaking and listening in real time with their instructors and peers. This immediate application of language skills is crucial for developing fluency and confidence. Self-paced courses often lack this interactive component, making it challenging for learners to practice conversational skills effectively.
6. Cultural Immersion and Contextual Learning
Language is deeply intertwined with culture. Live online classes often include cultural immersion elements, providing contextual learning that enhances language comprehension and usage.
Instructors can share cultural insights and real-world examples that are difficult to convey through self-paced courses. This cultural context is vital for understanding the subtleties and nuances of a new language.
7. Peer Learning and Community Support
Live classes foster a sense of community among learners. Interacting with peers who are at similar learning stages provides additional support and encouragement.
Group activities and peer feedback are invaluable for reinforcing learning and building confidence.
Self-paced courses often lack this communal aspect, leading to a more isolated learning experience.
8. Adaptability to Student Needs
In live classes from sites like Lingoda, instructors can adapt the teaching pace and methods to meet the individual needs of students. They can identify areas where students are struggling and provide targeted support and resources. This personalized approach is often missing in self-paced courses, where content is standardized and may not address specific learning challenges.
9. Enhanced Listening and Pronunciation Skills
Live online language classes emphasize listening and pronunciation skills through direct interaction with native-speaking instructors. This exposure helps students develop an ear for the language and improve their pronunciation accuracy.
Self-paced courses often lack this level of auditory engagement, making it harder for learners to achieve native-like pronunciation.
10. Access to a Global Network
Live online language classes connect learners with instructors and peers from around the world. This global network enriches the learning experience by exposing students to diverse accents, dialects, and cultural perspectives. It also provides opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges and networking, which are valuable for both personal and professional growth.
11. Real-Time Problem Solving
During live online language classes, students can bring up issues or difficulties they encounter in real time, allowing instructors to address them immediately.
This real-time problem-solving is beneficial for clearing up misunderstandings and solidifying correct usage. It ensures that students do not carry forward any misconceptions, which can happen easily in self-paced courses where feedback is delayed or non-existent.
12. Consistency and Routine
Live online classes instill a sense of routine and consistency in the learning process. Regularly scheduled classes ensure that learners dedicate specific times to their language studies, creating a habit of continuous learning. This consistency is often lacking in self-paced courses, where learners might struggle with procrastination and irregular study patterns.
13. Customized Learning Pathways
In live online language classes, instructors can tailor the learning pathway to suit each student’s proficiency level, learning speed, and goals. This customization ensures that students are neither bored by content that is too easy nor overwhelmed by content that is too difficult.
Such tailored instruction can’t be achieved with self-paced courses, which often follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
14. Better Retention Rates
Studies have shown that students in live, interactive classes tend to retain information better than those in self-paced courses. The interactive nature of live classes, combined with immediate feedback and engagement, helps reinforce learning and improves long-term retention.
Self-paced courses may lack the reinforcement necessary for deep learning, leading to lower retention rates.
15. Increased Student Engagement
Live online classes tend to have higher engagement levels compared to self-paced courses. The presence of a live instructor and peers creates a dynamic learning environment where students are more likely to participate actively. Engagement is a critical factor in language learning, as active participation helps consolidate new knowledge and skills.
Final Thoughts
While self-paced courses offer convenience and flexibility, live online language classes provide a more comprehensive and effective learning experience. The real-time interaction with instructors, structured learning environment, increased motivation and accountability, engaging learning methods, and immediate application of language skills make live classes superior for mastering a new language.
If you’re looking for the best live online language classes, Lingoda is worth a look. Lingoda is an online language school that offers live online classes 24/7 in small groups or one-on-one formats taught by expert native-speaking teachers. And with their big Summer Sale that’s going on right now, you can save big on their classes.
Don’t miss out on this chance to learn a new language at a reduced cost – take advantage of Lingoda’s summer sale and embark on your linguistic adventure today.
