Is It Possible to Learn a Foreign Language Online?

With increased mobility, more and more people have started learning a new language. Almost everyone these days is at least bilingual. There are many online apps and portals that facilitate users to learn whatever language they want to learn and whenever they want.

Thanks to the advent of technology and increased use of it for educational purposes, it has now become possible for people to learn any new language online. All you need is a stable internet connection and a quiet place to take your lessons. What makes these apps and portals special is that they are free and can be used anywhere, anytime.

So if you are planning to Learn Japanese Language Online or any other language for that matter, you must read this article to understand what it entails and whether it is practical or not.

More affordable and accessible

Back in the day, language was believed to be a privilege of the elite class. However, with the help of apps and online portals, it has now become affordable and accessible to all. The only tools you need to learn a new language in today’s scenario is a smartphone and an internet connection. According to experts, that is not a problem even in the developing countries like India where most youngsters have access to basic smartphones and low cost availability of internet. As a result, these students are able to connect to native teachers and take lessons online at their own pace.

Mobile is the way forward

One may think that learning language online is an impractical solution. However, that is not the case. In fact, the trend is quite the opposite as more and more people signup for the apps. With so many mobile devices, it is now possible to take your lessons with you, wherever you go. You can learn a new language on the hour long train/bus ride to work or revise your lessons on the plane. These apps are designed in such a way that they make it possible for students to download the videos and watch them offline.

Choose your level of study

It doesn’t matter why you want to learn a new language. You may be travelling abroad over summer or simply want to enhance your job prospects. The beauty of learning a foreign language online is that you don’t have to commit to a certain level. You can learn as much as you like for however long you like. Basically, you have to take responsibility of your own education which involves a more active approach to learning.

Is it possible to learn a language solely on the basis of online tools?

All the benefits aside, the big question is whether it is possible to learn a language only by using online tools. Experts explain that this is a subjective question and depends what you mean by ‘learn.’

It is possible to learn the basics of language and empower yourself to hold simple conversations. However, is it enough to make you capable of writing literature? Probably not.

However, that is not to say that a motivated learner will feel limited by the tech-based platform. But it is possible that it may take a long time to perfect the language and will certainly require a lot of discipline.

Tips to Make your Online Lessons More Effective

As language experts explain that the online tools work best in conjunction with other learning tools and lessons and perhaps not so much on their own. It is best to get your education from as many varied sources as possible, helping you learn in the most efficient way.

Here are some ways to make your lessons more effective.

• Know Your Options: When looking for language learning options, make sure you have a mix of e-books, videos, audiobooks, podcasts, apps, language courses, partners etc. Since you have all these tools to your disposal, you need to find the combination that works best for you. At the same time, don’t overwhelm yourself. Just know when to stop and enjoy the process.
• Manage your time wisely: In a world where distractions are omnipresent, you need to determine a time slot that you can allocate to studying the language in a distraction-less environment. Commit to a regular block of time and make sure you show up every single day at the same time. Only if you integrate language learning into your daily routine will you be able to make some visible progress.
• Leverage your network: One of the best things about learning a language online is to realize that you are not the only one doing that. Use the power of internet to find language partners that you can use to practice your newly acquired skills.

In the end, it is safe to say that it is indeed possible to learn a foreign language online, provided you are willing to put the work into it!