At ACE many people ask us if studying online is beneficial. Is learning English online suitable for all students? Maybe. Maybe not. The biggest challenge while learning online is that it will take you out of your comfort zone and make you accountable to yourself. You are the only one who knows if you reviewed the lesson or if you practiced speaking with someone in English. There is no teacher waiting for you after class and no principal asking questions to make sure you’re mastering the material. There are no classmates who can help you work through difficult concepts nor are there any collaborations on group projects. Learning English online takes a lot of courage and confidence because there is nobody monitoring you. You have to push yourself and inspire yourself through this process. However, these stumbling blocks should not deter you from trying your hand at learning English online.
Why you should not be afraid of learning English online?
If you are attending an offline class, you can expect a few major disadvantages. You can’t choose your own timings nor can you attend classes according to your convenience. Skipping a class for any reason may lead to important course work being missed. You may have one student who ‘knows it all’ or you may be grouped with students who may not have the same level of English as you, thus making you feel like you are not being challenged enough. More often than not, teachers use standardized lessons and content to teach all students and the reality is that every student learns differently.
4 reasons why you should not be afraid of learning English online.
1. You and your teacher can be in completely different parts of the world
Geographic boundaries don’t need to stop you from learning English. You could be located in Colombia, and you could learn English with a native English speaker based in the United States of America. Often times, students feel underwhelmed when the local teacher has a strong native accent while speaking in English or is less familiar with slang and other cultural aspects of learning the language. Learning online can expose you to a completely different world and can also give you a close look at foreign traditions and holiday celebrations while still being in your country.
2. You can learn at your own pace without feeling rushed.
Traditional English classes require students to keep up with the pace of instruction. Teachers have to complete the syllabus before a deadline and this results in teachers rushing through concepts and ideas because they need to complete a certain portion of the textbook. Homework is boring, leaving students to complete “Fill in the blank” activities in a workbook. You are expected to understand lessons immediately and teachers don’t go over concepts just for one student. If you are attending an online English course, you can learn at your own pace. You can go through each lesson at your own speed and grasp the concepts better. You can even watch the same lesson more than once to understand it better.
3. You will have access to a wide variety of different material and tools at your disposal.
If you are taking an online English class, you will be able to use a plethora of tools and materials and not only traditional books and audios. You will have access to a wide range of resources such as audio/video clips, articles, books, and a variety of software applications. Learning English using these resources will make your language learning journey much more enjoyable and engaging.
4. The world has changed and so has the way we learn
COVID has changed our life in several ways, including how we learn. It forced us to adapt to a new way of learning and thankfully technology enabled us to continue progressing academically. Studying online is comfortable and convenient because you don’t leave your home and save time and money. Say goodbye to the classic blackboard and exercise books and enjoy the technology that this century offers you. Learning a new language is literally at your fingertips!
Conclusion
Learning English online is not as ineffective as you think. In fact, if you take the right course, it can be extremely beneficial to your long-term goals and aspirations. Learning English online has its own advantages and disadvantages just like any other mode of learning. You just have to be careful about choosing the right course and make sure that it is worth your time and money. Yes, you can learn English online. With a little effort and dedication, you can definitely improve your English. We invite you to be a part of our community of satisfied ACE students. You no longer have to fly to the USA to find the best native teachers. Do it from your cell phone, when you want. Start now! Private Classes and 100% Online.
