Can I really learn languages online?
Learning languages needs some self discipline.
If you enrol for a language class there is usually an incentive (though not always, as many teachers can testify) to attend. In a class we are motivated by the teacher and also by classmates. Homework is probably the area where we need more self motivation and discipline and in my experience the percentage of students who complete this is far lower than those who attend the class!
Anybody who has learned or tried to learn a language will know that unless student input matches teacher output progress will be slow and drop out rates high. Exams and grades will help with motivation but there is a danger here that real learning will be sacrificed for ‘passing the exam’ and once that goal is achieved much will be forgotten.
So, where does that leave online learning?
I will raise my hand and admit that I have tried to learn Spanish online several times and haven’t gone past unit 2! I’ve also had a go at Chinese, even had a learning partner and only got to unit 3. I’m a language teacher, I can speak a couple of languages and I have an interest -so what is happening here?
In my opinion the key is to do with our being social animals and the fact that language is about communication and not static exercises. There are some (I imagine very few) who can be self-motivated enough to study alone but the vast majority of us crave some ‘social’ element.
Online learning presents a fabulous opportunity to engage with people all over the world and study together using the wonderful array of online tools that are available. Language is about communication not practising grammar (although this is part of it) and the opportunities to use language in real communicative activities are key. Where this is moderated/monitored by teachers or fellow students and feedback given then progress will be assured and the experience far from being solitary will be meaningful and real.
Whether homework will be done or submitted may still be in doubt!
Check out our online learning site (English at the moment – but soon to add more languages)