| Learning or improving upon a second language is no | | | | refers to being able to use the program or website |
| longer confined to rote learning audio cassette tapes | | | | when you are not connected to the Internet. Price is |
| or out of date computer language programs on | | | | usually a very important factor for most people when |
| cd-rom that look like they were created in the late | | | | making an involved purchase that could easily cost |
| 1980’s. People around the world are slowly starting | | | | hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Don’t confuse |
| to visit online language websites that cater to a diverse | | | | the lowest price with the best offer by any company |
| set of creative teaching methods largely integrating | | | | selling you an education related learning experience. |
| web 2.0 technologies that create an environment of | | | | Everybody has heard the saying before “you get |
| collaboration and sharing amongst its users. | | | | what you pay for,” so just be aware of this great |
| Methods that didn’t exist 10 years ago are now | | | | advice before you choose the cheapest language help |
| available to millions of language learners across the | | | | out there. Availability can be a very important factor if |
| world. Not only do these new methods promise | | | | you are using live video and voice chat online English |
| convenience, they also promise access to new and | | | | lessons which would probably require you to schedule |
| improved materials for online use. Online language | | | | your lesson times well in advance. Most new |
| learning is now being considered by students around | | | | companies offering this type of live video and voice |
| the world and one of the up and coming methods is | | | | chat service will have several teachers available with |
| learning online using voice and video in order to | | | | many choices of times to make it very easy to |
| communicate with a tutor. An online voice chat is kind | | | | schedule weekly lessons with a tutor. Reputation and |
| of like talking to your tutor over the phone except | | | | quality of product can be checked by visiting the better |
| it’s over the Internet and you have access to a | | | | business bureau (assuming the company you are |
| webcam while you use a variety of online materials to | | | | interested in is using their services) or by asking a |
| help learn. Tutors are no longer tied to a specific region | | | | friend if they have heard about any good companies |
| or city in the world but rather wherever there is an | | | | or by a referral from someone you trust. Another |
| Internet connection. Students who normally don’t | | | | method which is often overlooked is asking the |
| have access to a teacher now have access to a | | | | company for a list of emails of clients who have used |
| teacher. | | | | their service before. If the company is well established |
| When considering which method of online learning is | | | | you can even ask for a list of other students in your |
| right for you, you should consider a variety of factors | | | | area or region. Any company who is not willing to give |
| to determine the best option. | | | | you the names of students should be passed by |
| - · Ease of Use | | | | unless they are restricted due to legal reasons as the |
| - · Price (if there is one) | | | | last thing you want to do is pass up a great company |
| - · Availability | | | | to learn online English with. |
| - · Reputation and Quality of Product | | | | Choosing the right online English language solution |
| These are only some of the factors you should think | | | | today is more about convenience than anything else, |
| about before choosing an online solution to your English | | | | so sometimes it may be best to go with the company |
| language learning needs. Ease of use is really all about | | | | offering the higher price. The Internet can suit about |
| the website or product and how easy it is for you to | | | | any learning style that you can possibly think of. |
| use. Is there a help section, frequently asked questions | | | | Don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk with |
| and should these not solve your problem how easy is | | | | friends and ask them what they are doing to help |
| it to contact a real person either through email or by | | | | them learn. |
| telephone. Online connectivity vs. offline connectivity | | | | |