Learning a new language online with a live teacher
Learning a new language online with a live teacher
Trying to learn a language from a CD that promised to have you speaking like a native in only 2 weeks? There are any number of "scientifically proven" methods of language learning out there that promise to teach you virtually any language in no time at all.
Without denying that there are indeed methods of learning a language that have a basis in what we know about how the brain works and how we acquire a new language, in the end there is no substitute to actually practicing speaking with a native speaker who is also qualified to be able to correct your mistakes and encourage proper development of your new language skills.
But what if you can't afford the time to visit the country where the language is spoken, or your schedule does not allow you to take regular classes at a school or institute where you live? That is where, thanks to the miracle of the internet, you can connect with a native speaker from the comfort of your very own home. Live online language classes are a growing phenomenon as more and more people seek to master a new language, whether for work, study, or pure pleasure.
There are numerous language schools that offer classes with live teachers, and often at prices way lower than you would expect. Take Spanish for example. There are schools in most Latin American countries that teach foreigners to speak Spanish. And as the cost of living tends to be much less in these countries than in the US, Canada or Europe, for example, you can connect with a live teacher for a price that is surprisingly easy on the wallet.
In Quito, capital of the small but incredibly diverse country of Ecuador, where the Spanish spoken is reckoned to be the clearest and purest of all, there are schools like Yanapuma Spanish School. As an extension of their highly successful Spanish classes in Quito, they also offer live online Spanish classes for just $8 per hour. Compare this with similar classes in San Francisco or Chicago that can set you back $25-35 per hour.
You can set your own schedule of classes for 1-4 hours per session, as many or as few days a week as you like, at a time that suits your own busy life. So whether you already speak some Spanish and just want to learn more, or are struggling with endless repeating of phrases from the CD you bought, live online Spanish classes offer great value for money and the best way to develop your second language skills by talking with native speakers.
Most schools, like Yanapuma, will offer a free trial class so that you can see if you are comfortable with that style of learning (and most anyone from the computer generation most certainly will be). Even for those who came late to using computers, who may already enjoy video conferencing via Skype to their grand children in other parts of the world, the format is easy and un-technical.
There are a wealth of resources available on the internet for learning almost any language, and with the help of a good teacher, you can work in a systematic fashion through interactive materials that will encourage your language learning. So what are you waiting for?
If you have set your sights on mastering Spanish, then give Yanapuma Spanish School a try: http:/www.spanishonlineclass.com.
The author is director of Yanapuma Foundation, a non-profit NGO that promotes sustainable development in Ecuador. The foundation is partially funded through the profits of Yanapuma Spanish School.
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