LEARNING ENGLISH: ONLINE? WHY NOT?

BLC Online Class

By Bárbara Bos Blázquez

Without any shadow of a doubt, many of you have heard – at least once in your lifetime – the fact that learning a new language, though especially English, is a complete life-changing decision. In our modern lives, whether you need English for job purposes, or maybe just to meet a personal milestone it will literally blow your mind. Firstly, let’s consider deeply-rooted reasons for mental health professionals, such as psychologists, to strongly suggest improved ways of learning English. Secondly, the pros and cons of having online English lessons. Last but not least, my personal point of view as an academic-wise service provider.

What do psychologists have to say? Is it a good idea to learn English? The so-called psychology of language learning stablishes that, when it comes to truly engage students into knowledge acquisition, care must be taken not to overlook core aspects such as, competences, relationship to the language, classroom, peers and the teacher. Indeed, the latter means that “mind really matters” for both parts of this learning-teaching process. Thus, a skillful teacher who has more psychological knowledge should be more successful than other instructors, and a student who is being highly motivated – as anxiety and stress can be dealt with – will be aware of one’s own potential to aim for bigger academic objectives. All things considered, learning a second language, like English, from Psychology’s point of view will ensure success and progress, even personally speaking.  

Nevertheless, life is not all roses, and unfortunately, online learning is related to a lack of social contact, as humans we have social needs, and our brains are literally wired for social and face-to-face learning. But you mustn’t worry as long as the class-work methodology is based on: group belonging, ability to express, ability to compete, ability to support and be supported by others, ability to see what’s being learned, and excitement about applying learning. The latter is what we call eLearning Environments. Bear in mind the following information about what can online learning offer: flexible schedules and environment, lower costs, self-discipline and responsibility, and more choice of course topics since your location will no longer be a problem!  

It seems to me that the importance of learning English, online or face-to-face, is fairly straightforward, perhaps the real question is: why not? Is there really a reason out there not to learn something? As long as English provides a brighter look into the future, in terms of new opportunities; prepares students with life-skills rather than academic skills alone and, ultimately, make us become one-step-ahead persons due to culture immersion, knowledge acquisition, intellectual aspects, and luckily, personal growth let’s keep it up! 

Do you agree with me? I’d love to read your opinions in the comment section.