Online learning is getting more and more popular worldwide and particularly in our country these days. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic and then the war in Ukraine it has become the safest or even in many cases the only possible way for thousands of Ukrainian children and adults to continue their education. Learning foreign languages online is in high demand due to the impact of globalization and increasing number of Ukrainians having to flee from the horrors of the war and seek for asylum as refugees in Western Europe and North America.
It appears as if online language classes are really a miracle cure or a one-size-fits-all solution to all learning problems as many online schools and tutors promise, or are they? Let’s delve into this matter and briefly compare some upsides and downsides of what online English classes have to offer.
One of the most obvious advantages of online classes is their accessibility and flexibility in terms of time and location. You can study virtually anywhere and anytime as long as you (and your teacher if you take live lessons) have the access to the Internet. It also allows you to save time on the way to your classroom and back home. Online learning is especially beneficial if you live far from big cities and don’t have a wide choice of reputable educational institutions or highly-qualified educators in your neighbourhood. However, it only works if you have a stable access to the Internet. If you miss online classes for whatever reason, it is often possible to ask for their recording and revise the material at your convenience.
Moreover, online learning provides you with the access to a much wider range of educational programmes and resources than any big city with a lot of language schools could possibly offer. Giving online lessons, teachers can employ a vast variety of video, audio and other interactive materials from around the world, creating unique, entertaining and efficient learning trajectories for each student.
Besides, some learners find online classes less stressful as they can learn in the comfort of their homes and interact with their teachers or other learners just as much as they are willing to.
On the other hand, it would be wrong to say that online learning is flawless. The period of global lockdown clearly demonstrated that online format of education lacks physical interaction and therefore more often than not leads to social isolation and anxiety. Furthermore, flexibility of online classes implies a high level of self-discipline and self-motivation to pursue your long-term learning goals. Numerous online and offline distractors may disrupt your learning process online, while in the classroom setting it is usually easier to focus because it is deliberately designed to meet your learning needs. Both physical interaction with a teacher and other learners, and teacher’s support and monitoring in the offline classroom setting are vital for young learners and teenagers who have shorter attention span, are more easily distracted compared to adult learners, frequently lack internal motivation and self-discipline to study independently and track their own progress.
In addition, online classes may be challenging for elderly students or learners who are not good at using modern technology. Technical problems might also prevent language learners from making the most of their online classes, which is not uncommon now because of the war and increasing issues with electricity supply.
To sum up, online language classes have both benefits and drawbacks. They may be recommended to highly self-disciplined and motivated learners who value flexibility, time-efficiency and wide range of accessible and interactive learning materials. However, students who need more guidance and motivation from their teacher, as well as physical interaction and socializing with other learners, would rather opt for a traditional classroom setting.