Online courses
Are you considering studying online? What holds you back? Technology phobia? Lack of confidence in the modality? Love for physical contact with teachers and students? Many things may be moving us against the online teaching modality. But, think twice. It doesn’t change much. Online you still have a teacher. Online you still have things to do and study and read. Online you still have chances to meet new people. Online you can still control your time, your money and better yet, you are the one to choose where you are going to get your course; on your sofa, your office, while you’re waiting on a line… Online, you change but learning still takes place.
When you are not that confident in the online modality and if you think you will not learn much, choose a one-on-one online course. A one-on-one online course will be suitably designed for you. You will have a teacher that will be following your steps on learning and guiding your studies by providing you with activities and honest-punctual feedback. You will not be alone facing a screen and listening and reading things that were previously put there for you or anybody else. Your learning will be personalized and student-oriented. The human side is still there. You will have a person to talk to and from whom you will be learning a lot.
Offline courses
Your choice yet is for an Offline course? Great. That is also a good choice. If you have time to do so, go for it. Offline courses offer fantastic learning moments. Whether you are alone with a teacher or taking part in a group, that will help you in many different ways. Not to mention the joy of being able to share experiences. But consider that you will have to have transport and time to move from one place to another. Other than that, learning will also take place. It is up to you.
About certified teachers
Online and Offline courses must have both one objective only: help you achieve your goals. Do not worry much if you have a so-called ‘native’ speaker of English or a ‘non-native’ speaker of that language (or any other). Your worry must be about the professional who will help you achieve your goals. Native or non-native, they all must be real teachers. They must know what they are doing and how to help you learn how to learn that new language. A real teacher, a person who studied to be so, will most appropriately identify your needs and coach your learning actions. A professional in language teaching will do much more than showing you how good are his vocabulary and pronunciation in that language; he or she will teach you and motivate you to get to the top of your ambitions in an organized and honest way.
If learning from a person who was not born in an English Speaking country worries you, trust technology and teachers certification. These days authentic material is abundant on the internet. Certified teachers whether ‘native speakers’ or not, online or offline, should bring language from many different authentic sources such as films, songs, tv programs, journals, news… The world has become a village and you will speak in English with people from many different parts of the globe. Your teacher does not need not be your sole model. Learning from a native speaker should be the least of your worries.
Keep coming back. I love your visit.
Sue
Sue's Efl room 