5 things to consider when picking a Spoken English Course
Learning Spoken English is hard when you are an adult, and it becomes even harder if you join a bad Spoken English Course. Most Spoken English Courses only focus on teaching vocabulary and grammar which makes students memorize a lot but and not practice speaking. There are some Spoken English Courses that call themselves “Spoken English courses” but are in reality general English courses that only teach writing and reading skills. There are other Spoken English courses that enroll hundreds of students and you never get a chance to actually speak in class.
Picking a Spoken English Course is an important decision that could save you a lot of time, energy and money. Here are 5 things you should consider when picking a Spoken English Course.
Online Spoken English Course vs. Offline Spoken English Course
The first decision you make should be whether the English classes you pick are an online Spoken English Course or an offline Spoken English Course. The biggest advantage of an online Spoken English Course is that it allowed you to have with a Native English Teacher as you can pick a teacher who is in a different physical location than you. With free video conferencing tools like Skype, it is very easy to practice Spoken English with a native English speaker from the US or UK.
Also, online courses allow the flexibility for you to learn English without leaving your living room. Another advantage of online English lessons via Skype is that they are relatively cheaper due to the lower cost for the teacher.
The advantage of an offline English class is you get to meet the teacher in person. If you are at an elementary level, this personal contact could be something important.
One on One Spoken English Course vs. Group Spoken English Course
When do you learn best? Is it in a group or one on one? Most English language learners tend to do best with one on one English lesson. The main reason is one on one lessons give more opportunities for students to practice, especially Spoken English skills. So when picking a Spoken English Course, consider whether the course is conducted one on one or in a group setting. Of course, one on one, private lessons would cost more but it could be the most effective way for you to improve Spoken English fast.
Native English Teacher vs. Non Native English Teacher
If your goal is to speak English with accurate grammar and perfect pronunciation, you have to pick a Spoken English Course that is conducted by a native English teacher. If you want to master a particular accent (E.g. British English or American English) pick a native English teacher from the relevant country. Things such as accent and pronunciation are hard to correct once formed, so starting with a native English teacher is the best way forward if your goals are improving those. Remember, most Spoken English Courses that employ native English teachers happen online so be prepared to use a tool such as Skype
On other hand, a non native English teacher will be easier find locally and will be more affordable. If you are enrolling for a Spoken English course that employs non native English teachers, make sure you are happy with the quality of lessons. If possible, get a trial lesson. Also, if your Spoken English classes are conducted by a non native teacher, spend extra time listening native English speakers on places like YouTube and Ted.com.
Conversational English vs. Exam Preparation vs. Certificate
There are different types of Spoken English courses. Some are designed to give students certificates and diplomas but not the ability to speak English fluently. There are some that focus on preparation for exams such as TOEFL and IELTS. There are some Spoken English courses that will help you improve Conversational English.
Before joining a English course make sure you define what you want. Do you just want a certificate or do you want to really be fluent in Spoken English? If it is to really be fluent in English, make sure you join a English course that is Conversation based and gives you opportunities have real discussions in English.
Remember, you can’t be fluent in English without practicing Spoken English with native English speakers, so a course that only teachers grammar and vocabulary will not be sufficient.
Fluency First vs. Grammar First
At Spoken English Practice, our Spoken English course is designed to make students really fluent in English. So we start with improving fluency first.
If your Spoken English course is heavily focused on teaching grammar basics, it is better suited for elementary level English speakers. Once you learn basic grammar rules and have a vocabulary of around 500 words, you have to stop learning grammar and focus on speaking in English. This is the only way to be fluent in English.
Picking a Spoken English course is a big decision. Consider all these factors before you make your decision and you will save yourself a lot of time and money.
