Picking the Best Online English Language School – 3 Things you must Consider
An online English language school is a great way to improve English speaking skills. You will get a chance to work with world class English teachers who have a lot of experience teaching English. However, there are a few factors you must consider when picking the right online English language school for you.
Are teachers Native English speakers?
If you want to truly improve English speaking skills, you must practice speaking with native English speakers. When you practice with native English speaking you will learn things like slang and idioms that are commonly used in real English conversations. These are elements of the language that you can only learn from real conversations with real native speakers. Also, if you want to improve pronunciation and get your communication skills to true native level you must practice with native speakers.
Non native teachers are helpful if your goal is to learn basic vocabulary and grammar rules. But once you have gone past this basic knowledge, you need to work with Native English teachers to take your English speaking skills to the next level.
If you are picking an online English language school with the goal if truly becoming fluent in English, you must look for a school that has only native English speakers as teachers. This will make a huge difference to how to improve.
Are lessons 1 on 1 or group?
Some online English schools have only 1 on 1 lessons. Other have group lessons. As a student you must consider what environment works better for you.
The tricky part about online learning is that you do not sit in front of the teacher like in a traditional classroom. Also, in an online classroom (virtual classroom) you will not see the other students if you are in a group. This sometimes makes it hard for you to participate specially if you have other students who take a lot of time.
A good way to make your English learning more productive is to use 1 on1 lessons. Most online English language schools have these classes typically offered via technology such as Skype. 1 on 1 Skype English classes ensure that you get 100% of the teachers attention during the allocated class time. 1 on 1 lessons also give you more flexibility to reschedule classes.
When selecting an online English language school look for a program that gives you the choice that works best for you, whether it is group lessons or 1 on 1 lessons. 1 on 1 lessons could be more expensive on paper but you may be getting more value for you buck at the end of the day!
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Do students actually speak in English during class?
Most traditional English teachers still follow the outdated method of teaching grammar rules and asking student to memorize word lists. These methods make learning English extremely stressful resulting in students giving up.
The best online English language schools ensure that students actually speak in English during the lessons. This is the only way to improve English speaking skills and become comfortable with the language. Your brain will only learn to think and process in English if you use it continuously.
The key to improve English speaking naturally is continuous practice. You must pick an online English language school that understands this and implements this through their programs.
Overall, online English language schools offer a great opportunity for students to work with experience English teachers on a flexible schedule. Be smart in your selection and you will see an improvement in your English speaking skills during a short time
