If you are planning to learn English online, then you have made the best decision of your life. The English language has become the universal language, being spoken in all the countries across the mother planet. The rising popularity of the internet has created this small village called the globe, and the global language is none other than English. There are numerous online resources imparting English language learning.
Advantages of Online Learning
Online learning of a language, especially English offers many distinct advantages. First and foremost is the fact that online English learning can be self-paced and self-directed. When you start to learn English online, you need not adhere to a specific time schedule of classes. Moreover, you may choose from many methods and techniques available. This also means that the student is free to select the most appropriate technique of learning based on her skills, interests and needs. Last but not the least, the cost of learning is very low compared to those in conventional methods of learning. In short, if you are planning to learn English online, you save your precious resources in terms of time, money and efforts.
Contents of Online Learning
English language, presumed to be one of the richest languages, offers a wide variety of items to learn. Assuming that you are at an intermediate level to learn English online, the syllabus will be different from those at basic and higher levels. In general, the online learning of English language starts with the alphabet and numbers. Once the student has mastered these, she is exposed to words (the vocabulary) and composition. The arts and literature come towards the highest end of the hierarchy.
Boston English Language Institute offers many courses in the English language stream. These certification courses vary from one to eight months. Belford University offers a bachelor’s degree in English and English Literature for those having work experience of four years. Ellis College at New York offers an online Bachelor’s degree. Their focus is on preparing students to face challenges in the professional world. Other universities offering three year Bachelor programs in online English are U of Southern New Hampshire, U of Illinois, American Military U, and Fort Hays State U. Getting notes or teaching material is easy – you get it through the internet in the form of workbooks, test papers, tutorials (video and audio).
You can start to learn English online in different ways. You may choose to subscribe to free and paid online courses teaching online English language. You may also opt for purchasing ebooks and CD’s that you can study offline. However, you must remember one thing all the time – not to forget to complete the exercises given at the end of each chapter. This not only tests your gained knowledge, but also offers a new punch of motivation for you to learn English.
Online learning of the English language can be a wonderful experience. You will suddenly find yourself in the middle of the world with your first steps in learning English. Such is the prowess of the English language.
Posts Tagged ‘language’
Learn English Online to Speak in the Global Language
January 7th, 2010You Can Speak your Customer’s Language and Win Business If you Wish
January 6th, 2010Research by the Regional Language Networks shows that 1 in 5 UK companies believe they have lost business as a result of language or cultural barriers. This is because more than 60% of our trade is with countries where over 82% of the population do not speak English as a mother tongue. In the light of this it’s surprising that language skills are given such a low priority. In fact most UK companies do not offer their employees the chance to learn languages. And there is strong evidence to suggest that they should.
A survey recently published by the British Chambers of Commerce showed a direct correlation between the value a company places on language skills and its annual turnover. Companies that were successful internationally were those that encouraged staff with language skills either through recruitment or training. So it seems that some of the best UK companies are using language skills successfully to win business.
So why are languages not taken seriously by more British companies? Perhaps it is because it requires you to be “in the know” like the large, sophisticated international firms. It may be that languages are deemed a bit “intellectual” and we don’t like too much cleverness. Talking football is more our cup of tea!
But the biggest problem we have with our attitude to foreign languages is really a historical hangover from The Empire when we taught the world to speak English and play cricket! We made life easy for ourselves. Now it’s a big culture shock to have to make our way in this big new global market full of other languages.
It is certainly not a problem of aptitude. In fact English speakers have a huge advantage. English contains 30-40% of the words in French, German, Spanish and Italian. Banish forever the idea that we have some inherent inability to learn languages. This is a myth. We can do it as well as other nations if we choose. Besides, many British diplomats, officers and business people have been excellent linguists.
If you really want to learn a language then you can. As a grown up your experience should be much nicer than it was at school. Now, with maturity on your side, you have the capacity to achieve far more. Motivated adults, taught by modern “communicative” techniques, can do very well. Using a professional training provider who knows what they are doing will also help. You may just find that it works and it’s fun!
Remember that language learning is a long-term commitment. Although benefits will be achieved as you progress with your training, language learning is an ongoing process and training is just the beginning. In order to become really proficient in a foreign language you need to get out there and use it.
To reach higher levels of language competence you will need to spend plenty of time living and working entirely in the target language. That’s why people talk about “sink or swim”. Learning to speak a foreign language is very much like swimming one day you will be able to do it without any armbands!
We all know in our heart of hearts that shouting loudly in English is not the right way to conduct our international business. On the other hand learning your customer’s language is widely recognised to be very good business practice and many companies are already reaping the benefits in their overseas trade.
It’s a fact: languages are good for your business! And, although you hadn’t realised it, as an English native you are already a budding linguist, at least as far as European languages are concerned. And Europe is where we do the most business. So, why not try language learning – you may surprise yourself!
3 Tips For Learning A Foreign Language At Home
January 5th, 2010Did you study a foreign language in school? Spanish, French, Italian? Did you enjoy yourself? Or was it an experience that you’d rather forget?
You have to answer these last two questions honestly because they reveal a lot about how you will do the second time around.
There are many people who can’t learn a foreign language in a classroom. I was one of them. I studied French in high school, dropped it in college and then decided to study Spanish once I graduated. No formal teaching, no homework assignments, no calls home for bad grades.
Now I’m a Spanish teacher, married to a Spaniard and raising our children bilingually. And it all happened outside the class.
If you’re one of these people and have no desire to return to the classroom, then you have to make the most of your studies on your own.
It’s not easy at first. Studying a foreign language requires discipline and an awareness of important tips and tricks that can reduce the frustration and disappointment.
Here are three that are at the top of my list:
1) Understand how to learn – This may seem like a simple point but it’s worth its wait in gold. Understand that things take time. Patience is probably more valuable than your conjugations.
Too many people quit studying foreign languages after becoming discouraged with their progress. If you feel that you should progress everyday, you’re mistaken. If you feel you should make great strides each week, you’re mistaken.
You will learn slowly but surely at first and then there will come a point when you’re learning will accelerate. No one knows when. Just be patient and know that good things are happening in the depths of your brain.
2) A little studying each day is better than a lot of studying for a few days. – This is self-explanatory. You are much better off putting in 5 minutes a day when you really don’t feel like it than waiting a week and then studying for 2 hours.
The 5 minutes everyday can be anything you like. You could listen to a song in the foreign language, read the comics in the language, learn curse words in the language. As long as you’re connecting with the language in some way, you will benefit.
3) Find many ways to study. – By this I mean, listening one day, reading another, and so on. The trick to studying a foreign language on your own is to have many ways to both learn and entertain yourself. This way, you’ll always have at least one thing you can do each day to keep your momentum going.
If you know your learning style then do the majority of your learning using that style. After all, it’s the one that comes naturally to you.
In closing, knowing how to study a foreign language on your own is the most difficult part of the adventure. Discipline and desire are needed throughout. If you think you have what it takes, get to it. I did and I’m as fluent as can be. And loving it!
