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a woman learning a language online

Why Learn a Language Online?

If learning a language were easy and fast then we would all be multilingual.

The truth is, learning a language and speaking it well takes time, dedication and determination. Face-to-face tuition and language immersion are generally regarded as the best ways to learn a language. Even Donavan Whyte, the Vice President of EMEA for Rosetta Stone admits,

“I think it is possible to learn a language on your own via some tech-based platform, but I think it would take you a long, long time and you would need to be very disciplined.”

However, there are lots of reasons you should be using technology and online courses to support your language learning and speed-up your progression. Here are some reasons to learn a language online:

1. The Blended Approach
Online options give you a chance to practise and consolidate what you have learnt in the classroom. Language acquisition is all about revision and recycling – to really fix those words and grammar structures in your mind to the point where producing them becomes second nature.

2. Online Courses put you in Control
Online courses and apps allow you to study when you want and where you want. Essentially they give you the opportunity to take responsibility for your own education, in any setting, at any time of the day (or night).

3. Personalisation
By varying the arsenal of tools you have at your disposal for learning a language you increase your chances of being successful. How you learn is individual to you, therefore by multiplying the channels and mediums through which you learn you can find the combination that suits you best.

4. Bit by Bit
Option A: 4 hours of face-to-face tuition one day a week. Plus 30 mins of written homework a week.
Option B: 2 hours of face-to-face tuition one day a week. Plus 30 mins of online practice 4 days a week on your way to work.
Which of these do you think will be more effective in terms of language acquisition and target language retention? Which of these is more cost effective?

If you are interested in finding out more about how to learn a language online and how online courses can support your language learning in English and French take our free 7 day trial for English and for French. You can start today!