When it comes to learning a new language there can be a number of different reasons, but the bottom line is that language, regardless of which one it is, is a way for each of us to connect to one another. Granted, there are universal languages in the world like food, art, or music, but when it comes to the spoken or written word, that’s where real connection comes into play. Whether you’re striving to learn French, Spanish, English, or Mandarin Chinese, there are a number of resources available to help you during the process, a good portion of which can be found online. 

With resources like Mandarin Zoom classes available to anyone with a strong internet connection and the patience to learn a virtual class dynamic, it has never been easier to learn a language. 

Here are some benefits to learning a new language online:

1. Go At Your Own Pace

When learning a new language, there’s nothing worse than being pushed to speed up your learning process. Typically, with in-person classes, you’re required to follow a specific regimen that spans over a given amount of time, so you’re required to hit certain milestones in record time, which will require studying in your own time that can also affect the rest of your schedule. When you’re pushed to rush your own process, there’s a good chance information will be forgotten, and you will feel as if you haven’t learned much while it seems like everyone else is moving along just fine.

With an online approach to learning a new language, you’re capable of moving at your own pace; there’s no pressure to learn a specific amount before next week, and you’re in a comfortable environment that promotes better learning.

2. Multi-Media Aspect

With the progression of technology and the vast amount of information available online, learning a new language has never been easier, even in a virtual classroom. If you have ever taken an online class, regardless of the subject, then you’re aware that there is a different aspect to learning online. With a multi-media approach, you have access to images, audios, videos, as well as your reading material. Given this vast amount of information, you can listen to a given piece of audio while following along in the text. Or, if you’re unfamiliar with a word or number of different words, it’s possible to find audio or videos online that can teach you the appropriate pronunciation or sentence structure.

3. Repetition

When learning just about anything, new language or not, repetition is the key to mastering any skill. While learning a new language, extremely few individuals will be able to learn and retain the information the first time around, so having the option to revisit the information anytime you want is crucial. With traditional class platforms, you will likely visit information once or twice, and move on without much elaboration or in-depth analysis on that information you were provided. Unless you take really great notes and can keep up with the lesson at the same time, there’s a chance you won't be able to document everything that’s discussed, and vital information will be lost.

With online learning, you can visit information as often as you want, truly grasping it in your own time, and improving your skills overall with this new language.

4. Accessibility

Unless you don’t mind dragging your notes and textbooks around with you wherever you go, there’s a good chance your study time will happen solely when you’re at home, which, based on your schedule, can be a different factor to include when you’re busy enough as it is. Fortunately, with most online platforms, there’s a mobile-friendly aspect that allows you to access the information anywhere, whether you’re on break at work, or are doing any activity or responsibility that takes you away from your text materials. 

You could be on your morning jog and listening to audio content, for example. The benefit of learning online is that you have free reign to suit your learning into your schedule in any way you see fit. It’s entirely based on you and your discretion.

5. Cheaper

Another benefit of learning online, whether you’re utilizing sites like Rosetta Stone, or a mobile-friendly application like Duolingo, or even watching videos on YouTube, these alternatives are typically cheaper than a traditional academic course. Not only will it be cheaper, but you have access to more information, and more resources at one time than while attending a language course online. Most of the time, people put off learning a new language because of the price attached to a traditional class, so when the information is accessible online in a cheaper or potentially free arrangement, it’s more of an incentive to anyone who wants to learn a new language.

Regardless of which site or application you use, this will likely be a more affordable alternative to a traditional academic course, and can be a little more forgiving while you learn.

6. More Choices

Unfortunately, when it comes to a traditional academic environment, this is more of a one-size-fits-all mentality. You’re placed in a class and everyone is moved at the same pace while given the information as it fits in with a scheduled regimen. It would make sense that this dynamic of learning does not work for everyone, and can even cause some students to be counter-productive.

With an online platform, not only do you have the flexibility to fit your learning into your schedule, but you also have the choice of which platforms you learn from. If you try a platform and find that it doesn’t work for you, then you have the ability to find a different learning environment that works better. With the number of online resources available, there’s bound to be at least one resource that works for everyone, regardless of who you are.

Conclusion

When it comes to learning through a verified institution, regardless of which one it is, there are a number of options available online that can be beneficial to one’s learning. No matter which language you’re striving to learn, the ease of access to information available online has never made learning a new language easier than it is today. So, the next step is to try out a different option or two and see which one really works best for you. If you’re unsure of which ones to try, you can always ask a friend, or read reviews online—the more information, the better.