Posts Tagged ‘online English speaking course’

Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course – Factor 4

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

This is the final post of the series, ‘Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course’.

I suggest reading Factor #1, Factor #2, and Factor #3 before this post if you are interested in online English learning.

4 – Choose A Course That Allows You to Choose Lesson Material and Content

When you enroll in a online English speaking course, you should have the ability to influence…if not entirely direct…the content of your lessons.  Because of the personal and intimate nature of an online English speaking course, you should be learning material that is immediately relevant to your daily professional, academic and social life.

Here are some questions you may want to ask before signing up with a online English training provider:

*Does you instructor ask you what your learning goals are?

*Does your instructor assess your current level of English and suggest targeted ways to improve on your weak areas?

*Does your instructor work with you to make an individual study plan for you based on your input?

*Are you able to ask and be provided with interesting, up-to-date learning materials relevant to what you want to learn?

*Do you have the option of sending your own lesson materials to the instructor(s)?

These are some of the essentials when it comes to choosing your online English course.  Remember…this is your time, and your money.  You should be the one directing the learning.  You should be the one choosing the learning materials.

I hope you’ve found this little series, ‘Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course’ helpful.  Learning English online definitely is the way to go.

I wish you all the success in your English learning endeavors.

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Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course – Factor 3

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

This is the third post in my series, ‘Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course. I suggest reading Factor #1 and Factor #2 before this post if you are interested in taking online English lessons.

Factor 3 – Choose A Course With Flexible Lesson Days and Times

You want to inquire about the flexibility of the lesson days and times.

A quality online English speaking course will give you the full freedom to choose your lesson days and times. You should not be tied down to days and times they select.  Remember, this is you money and your lessons.  They should work around your schedule.

Here are some questions you’ll want to get the answers to:

*Are you able to arrange lesson days and times that are convenient for you?

*Can you postpone and reschedule lessons easily if you are unable to attend your scheduled lesson?

*Does the company charge you for rescheduling or missed classes?  They shouldn’t!

*Are you able to request different instructors if you are not happy with the one you currently have?

*Are you able to put your lessons ‘on hold’ for an extended time if you have to go away for business or holidays?

*Are you able to transfer your lessons to other people if you are not able to continue learning for some reason?

These are some more important questions you’d like answered before you sign up for online English lessons.  Finding out the flexibility of the lesson days and times shouldn’t be hard to do.  If this information is not provided on the website, you’d better call the company and ask.

In my next post, I will be discussing the fourth and final factor of the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”…

Stay tuned!

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Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course – Factor 2

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

I the previous post of this blog series, I talked about the importance of Choosing a Professional and Trustworthy Company (Factor #1) if you are interested in taking online English lessons.

In this blog post, I will be discussing the second of the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”.

Factor #2 – Choose An Experienced and Friendly Instructor

During your selection process, you want to get as much information as possible about the instructor(s) who you’ll be working with.

Information about the instructor’s experience, qualifications and interests should be easily accessible on the company’s website.

Although teaching English on the internet is fairly new, you want to make certain the instructor has at least some experience teaching online as it differs quite a bit from traditional classroom instruction.

Here are a few questions you should get the answers to:

  • Does the instructor have some experience delivering online English lessons? How many hours?
  • Has the instructor taught learners with similar English language learning needs and goals as yourself?
  • Does the instructor have experience teaching students with the same mother language as yourself?
  • Is the instructor friendly, personable and interested in what you have to say? Can you view his/her profile on the company website?
  • Is the instructor able to converse on a wide range of topics relevant to you?
  • What type of English accent does the instructor have?

These are some of the more important questions you’d like answered before you sign up for online English lessons. There’s nothing worse than getting into an English lesson and finding out you and your teacher don’t get along with one another.

A little research ahead of time should avoid this potential problem.

In my next post, I will be discussing the third factor of the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”…

Stay tuned!

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Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course – Factor #1

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Interested in taking online English lessons?  Trying to decide which company to select as your provider?  There are many things to think about in selection process.

In this blog post I will be discussing the first of the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”.

Factor #1 -  Choose a Professional and Trustworthy Company

You want to make sure that the company providing you English lessons is professional and trustworthy.  Online English speaking courses are a relatively new service, but many companies provide excellent courses as well as additional language services.

A quick look at the company’s website should give you an indication whether this company is taking their business seriously or not.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • Has their website been designed professionally or is it built on a standard free template?
  • Do they accept major credit cards as well as other online and traditional payment methods?
  • Do they provide a standard postal address, telephone number, names of contacts and company email addresses?
  • Are course fees listed openly or do you need to make contact with the company to get this information?
  • Does the company provide a trial before asking you for a long term commitment?
  • Does the company provide a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their services?
  • Are you able to make personal contact with someone to have them answer any specific questions you have?
  • Are there testimonies from past students who are happy with their lessons?

These are some of the more important pieces of information you’ll want to know before selecting your online English provider.  You want to be very certain that the company you choose is professional and trustworthy.

In my next post, I will be discussing the second factor of the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”…

Stay tuned!

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Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

English language learners have benefited immensely from the online learning revolution.

Nowadays, if you are an eager learner you can find immense amounts of English language tools and services on the internet to help you master English.

One of the newest…and according to many learners, most valuable services being offered are online English speaking courses.

These courses give you the opportunity to improve your English speaking by conversing 1-on-1 with qualified native English language instructors. Lessons are held on the internet using free VOIP services and the conversations revolve around topics of immediate interest and relevance to your professional, acadamic and social life.

The problem that arises for many learners interested in an online English speaking course is knowing how to find a reputable company that is able to provide them with the type of lessons they desire on the days and times that are convenient for them.

In the following 4 blog posts, I will be discussing in detail the “Four Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online English Speaking Course”.

They are:

1 – A Professional and Trustworthy Company

2 -  Experienced and Friendly Instructors

3 -  Flexible Lesson Days and Times

4 -  Ability to Choose Lesson Materials and Content

I will provide you with a small checklist of questions for each one of these important factors, in hope that they will help you in selecting a reputable language provider for your online English speaking course.

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