Can you learn a language online?

A selection of recent articles have centered on the fundamentals of home schooling your children. Home schooling, with its advantages and disadvantages, is still a popular method of education for many parents to take. However, when it comes to certain subjects, there is no replacement for expert guidance. One such example is language learning. If you have never tackled the French ‘r’, or the accent grave, then how will you be able to teach it? The need for expert guidance – on a budget – has led to the rise in online language courses and learning software, which enables learners to immerse themselves in a language from their own homes. But to what extent is it a replacement for face-to-face tuition. This short guide explores the benefits and hindrances of learning a language online.

A major benefit of learning online is convenience. There are numberless language programs such as Rosetta Stone, which provide endless material for your child to learn a language. Often tied into this material are various online functions that broaden the scope of the course; for example, incorporating current news articles. These programs aim to simulate the ‘immersion’ technique which is so often praised in the debate of language learning methodology. This ‘immersion’ technique revolves around experiencing the language as you would if you lived in the country. This methodology is far removed from the classroom, and – through learning software – can be achieved without the expense of a plane ticket.

Other internet resources further expose the learner to real-life scenarios: none so much as Skype. There are now various websites that enable you to connect and talk directly to someone who lives in your destination country. You can find yourself speaking to a Parisian, exchanging your American for their French. The benefits of this process for language learning are manifold, as you will be picking up idioms and expressions that are vital for producing natural speech. This type of software further allows the learning experience to reach new heights of authenticity, and could be seen as making it possible to learn an entire language online.

While online resources make a wide range of material available to the learner, it does still lack in certain areas. Motivated learners will find the internet beneficial; while less motivated students may find themselves lost at sea. The discipline of a classroom can not be underestimated for those who find it a struggle to learn vocabulary or grammar. There are a number of languages schools in the destination countries that allow for more of the dynamic techniques that we have already discussed; namely, the immersion technique. Many schools offer excursions to major cities, guided tours and activities, which push the students into authentic discussions and conversations with native speakers. You can still use the internet to find out about the wide range of courses, in a myriad of different languages. Whether you want to order patatas bravas in Spain – which you can do through StGeorge Spanish courses – or perfect your ‘ciao!’ with Italian language courses, or order a ‘café au lait’ in Parisian brasserie, there are numerous schools available.

Overall, the internet provides so much information and material that for those able to use it properly, it has become possible to become fluent online. For the others, face-to-face tuition may still be the way to go.

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