So, you want to study a language? Whether you’re starting from zero or brushing up on what you already know, taking your language learning online is a convenient and efficient way to achieve fluency from the comfort of wherever you are. What’s more, with an online learning setup, you don’t have to worry about spending a great deal of time finding a teacher with the right profile for the language you want to study.
Online classes can be scheduled whenever suits you best, and with the help of Replay Telecorder, you can record your classes as you go and review them as needed. You’ll be well on your way to greater fluency in no time.
With that covered, let’s get you started on your online language learning journey with a few helpful tips to hit the ground running.
Choose an Online Language Learning Platform
With the growing popularity of online learning, there are many language learning platforms to choose from. However, there’s one that stands out in terms of pricing, quality and the overall user experience of the platform: iTalki. Unlike many other platforms out there, iTalki’s offerings are impressive — everything from Punjabi to Slovenian to Vietnamese. The possibilities here are endless. On iTalki, you can view a teacher’s profile, which typically includes a video introduction, CV and more information, before signing up. There are plenty of student reviews for most teachers, which shows that students are engaged with the platform. Plus, before you buy a pack of classes, nearly all teachers offer a one-time trial class to let you meet and decide whether their teaching style works for you.
Decide Which Language You’d Like to Study
Once you’ve created an account and acquainted yourself with the iTalki platform, next you’ll need to decide which language you’d like to learn. Have something specific in mind? Perhaps you need to learn or brush up on your language skills for school or work, or you may have the luxury of choosing whichever language strikes your interest. If you fall into the latter group, one good way to narrow the choices down is to think about whether a particular language might come in handy for your personal travels. For example, if you’re planning a backpacking trip to South America in the near future, Spanish would be the logical choice. However, if you’re eyeing a trip to the Great Wall of China, Mandarin would be sure to help you out!
Find a Teacher Whose Profile Matches Your Needs
After landing on the language of study, next you’ll need to find a teacher whose profile interests you, and more importantly, meets your needs. On a teacher’s online profile you are able to view their reviews and professional experience. So, for example, if your goal is to master grammar in a given language, it may be a better idea to choose a teacher who has at least a Bachelor or even a Master degree in that language. Or, if you are a complete beginner, try to find a teacher that has a degree or equivalent experience in teaching that particular language as a foreign / second language.
Otherwise, if you’re looking for a more engaged conversation partner for example, who will be diligent about correcting mistakes and encourage you to speak, the qualifications likely won’t matter as much as their personality!
Start Your Classes!
It goes without saying that once you know which language you’d like to study and have secured a teacher, it’s time to get learning! Most teachers prefer leading classes over Skype or Google Hangouts, allowing you to connect more closely than you could over a telephone call, while taking part in both oral and written exercises throughout the class.
And, to speed up your language learning, add Replay Telecorder to your arsenal! It’s the easiest, most powerful Skype and Google Hangouts recorder on the market that lets you record your classes, so that you can review the lessons afterwards to really solidify your learning! The best part is that it comes with a handy feature known as ‘Background Mode’, which automatically detects your Skype or Google Hangouts window, even allowing you to cover it with other windows without affecting the recording. With Replay Telecorder you can remain fully engaged in class without worrying about missing a thing.
Getting started is easy. Register for online language classes today, and then make sure you have the latest version of Replay Telecorder, so that you can save the most important lessons for later. With the right tools, you’ll be mastering the language of your choice faster than you can count!