Pros and Cons of Learning English Online

Paul Huber

Although it is spoken in more countries than any other language, English is known for being one of the toughest to master. English can be learned in a variety of settings, and one effective method is to enroll in an online English language course. This concept of self-directed, at-home language learning is not uncommon. Students have the flexibility to study whenever it is convenient for them, thanks to online setups made to be on-the-go. There are pros and cons to everything, but if you want to get the most out of your education, you need to know what they are. The following are some key considerations:

Pros

The strengths of online education are the reasons why more and more people are turning to it. Here are some of the benefits of studying online:

  1. You can study at any place you desire.

Anybody, regardless of where they reside or what time of day lessons are held, may sign up for an online course and study for as long as they choose from the convenience of their own home. There are no geographical restrictions preventing you from registering for a course at an English class offered virtually. With the advent of online education, students no longer need to be physically present in a classroom to participate. Many low-performing schools have seen an uptick in enrollment as a result of the new system, which also reduces administrative burdens associated with maintaining a consistent schedule.

  1. You can learn on your own schedule.

Online English courses provide you with the flexibility to study whenever it works best for you, unlike classroom-based education. Online courses provide students greater leeway in determining their own pace of study. This is a terrific chance to focus on the aspects of the language with which you are struggling. Time spent commuting is reduced, and, depending on the subject, you may arrange your class schedule independently.

  1. You can use and share resources easily.

The ability to quickly and easily disseminate newly acquired knowledge is a major benefit of online education. Softcopy materials given by online classrooms are both low-cost and low-maintenance. You can now easily send relevant documents and files to anyone through email or social media.

  1. You can save on unnecessary costs.

Enrollment fees, material fees, and assessment fees are just a few examples of the hidden expenditures that often accompany traditional classroom courses. Transportation costs to and from school are also a consideration. With online education, you can maximize your learning at your own pace, saving money that may be used toward boosting your productivity.

  1. Online learning caters to a wider range of learners and accommodates different approaches to education.

Individuals who are more comfortable studying alone in their own time at home might benefit from online education. It’s available anywhere in the world and may be modified to accommodate different learning methods.

It is possible to personalize an online course so that it meets the requirements of each student. Students may be categorized as either visual or auditory, as social or solitary, or as someone who learns best in a group or on their own. Because of the variety of tools and materials available, online education can accommodate a wide variety of learning preferences. As a result, it fosters an optimal educational setting that targets the widest possible demographic.

Cons

Although the benefits of online education far outweigh its flaws, it does have a few drawbacks. The following are some of the cons of studying online:

1. You can’t interact face-to-face with your teacher/classmates.

Learning relies heavily on the give-and-take between instructor and learner. And since it incorporates all four skills—writing, speaking, listening, and reading—the face-to-face technique is very effective. The majority of students seem to be more engaged in and get more quick feedback from a traditional classroom setting than they do from their online courses.

2. If you have low motivation and poor study habits in online settings, you might lag behind.

The absence of a physical classroom may be advantageous for self-motivated pupils, but it can also be a trap for those who are less self-directed. Because there is no set meeting time and no frequent, direct engagement with professors and classmates, you are less likely to stay on top of your work and be motivated to complete it. Students who don’t have the self-discipline to complete their work on time or study enough before tests may end up failing because they didn’t make the effort to communicate with their teachers by email or phone.

3. It can either be time-saving or time-consuming.

It’s more efficient than going to a traditional classroom since you can take your lessons from the comfort of your own home or another convenient place. But, due to poor time management and a lack of self-discipline, the process is prolonged. Without a routine, it’s easy to let things like distractions, multitasking, and not having a set place to study get in the way. 

Also, most online classes don’t have strict deadlines. When this happens, students stop attending lessons whenever they choose in the hopes of starting again at a more convenient moment. Doing this regularly will lengthen and complicate the learning process.

4. Online language immersion is not as effective as in-person learning.

Language immersion is a practical strategy that may help students in a variety of classrooms. The immersive mode is also often hidden from view while using remote guiding. Online courses and traditional classroom settings provide more personal learning experiences than  smartphone apps or desktop software. Most apps are great for memorizing words, but they aren’t helpful for learning how to use the vocabulary and grammar you’ve learned in a natural context. You won’t learn how to construct sentences in the most intuitive manner from them. To do so, you must engage in conversation, mingle, integrate, and debate with native speakers.

The takeaway…

While there are certain drawbacks to online education, the great majority of students are pleased with their experience and glad they opted for it over a more conventional classroom setting. E-learning is now altering the worldwide dissemination of training and information due to its primary benefits of convenience and affordability. 

Many prestigious educational institutions are increasingly incorporating cutting-edge technological tools into their course offerings and methods of training and development. The new technology also provides access to pedagogical tools that were previously unavailable. 

The Internet has unquestionably altered the landscape of how people acquire new skills and knowledge. Who among our learners today and tomorrow’s workforce will be prepared to take advantage of these newest possibilities?

Author:

Kate N. Sarador

Poly Languages Institute

A Drop in the bucket.

Paul Huber
  1. A drop in the bucket

A drop in the bucket means a small and insignificant amount compared to what is needed or desired. It refers to the idea of adding a drop of water to a bucket that is already full or nearly full, which will not make much of a difference in the overall level of the water.

Sample Sentences:

I know you’re trying to save money, but cutting back on your daily coffee won’t make much of a difference. It’s just a drop in the bucket.

Your $10 donation is appreciated, but it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the amount we need to raise for this project.

Increasing our advertising budget by $1000 is only a drop in the bucket for our company’s overall marketing efforts.

Although the government has promised to increase funding for education, the amount allocated is only a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed.

2. Shape up or Ship out

Shape up or ship out means that a person needs to improve their behavior or performance, or else they will be removed from their position or situation. The phrase is often used to warn individuals that they need to change their ways or face negative consequences such as losing their job, being removed from a project, or being excluded from an opportunity.

Sample Sentences:

The boss gave the unproductive team member a choice to either shape up or ship out of the company.

The coach gave the struggling player an ultimatum, telling him to shape up or ship out of the team.

The supervisor told the employee, who repeatedly came late to work, that he needed to shape up or ship out.

The director told the actors who were not taking the rehearsal seriously that they needed to shape up or ship out of the production.

New Year’s Idioms

Paul Huber

In the United States, when the new year is approaching, many people think about what they accomplished and what mistakes or wrong choices they made so they can change them in the year that’s about to start. In other words, they think of the new year as a new beginning – an opportunity to leave anything they don’t like about their life in the past and set goals to change them, or they just set new goals for self-improvement. Here are some idioms or phrases connected with this practice.

New Year’s Resolution– a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.

Example: “Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?”

     “Yes, I’m going to eat healthier and give up smoking.”

 

turn over a new leaf– to change your behavior in a positive way.

Example: She turned over a new leaf; she began getting to school on time and doing all her homework.

 

kick the habit– to give up something that you have done for a long time.

Example: He used to smoke but he kicked the habit last year.

 

bite off more than you can chew– when you do something that proves to be too difficult 

Example: I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew taking all those classes; he should’ve started with just a couple of classes at first.

 

get the ball rolling– to make something happen or the beginning of something 

Example: We want to get fit this year so we joined the gym to get the ball rolling.

 

back to the drawing board– to go back to the beginning of a plan, and start over

Example: My plan to read one book per week did not work last year. I have to go back to the drawing board and think of a new way to accomplish my goal of reading more. 

New Year’s – What is it to you?

Paul Huber

On Christmas Eve, a blanket of wispy fog hovered our skies- which gave the day an extra boost of holiday spirit. Here in Orange County, we do not get snow. Your best bet will be the Disneyland Winter show. Yes, soap bubbles! To some, this might come off as absurd.  However, in retrospect, there are people in America who have never seen real snow; there are people from all corners of the globe who have never seen snow; there are a handful of ESL students here at Poly Languages who have never stepped in snow, even some of our staff that are native Californians! To these people, and then some, the substance that is known to them as a cleaning agent (soap) transforms into a holiday spectacle that will remain in their memories for time to come.  

 

Once Christmas celebrations are over, the holiday spirit isn’t over. In America, at least, the festive spirit remains because of the soon-to-come New Year. Like the soap-bubbles snow, people see New Year’s Day in different ways. In many countries, the New Year’s date is determined by astronomical and astrological factors.  Though some other countries’ New Year’s Day are practiced in the United States, there is one day that the nation recognizes as a national holiday. The U.S. New Year is observed on January 1st on the modern Gregorian and Julian calendar.

 

Traditionally, the New Year is an occasion where people spend time with their loved ones. The night is accompanied by fireworks and parties. Probably the most famous New Year’s Day celebration is held in New York City. The famous Times Square Ball is lowered with a countdown a minute before midnight. A gigantic series of celebrations is followed by the New Year announcement. A great display of fireworks, music, live performances, and shows are put on. People can also enjoy these grand spectacles in the comfort of their own home–on television.  

 

There is more to the New Year’s Day tradition in America. A common practice done by many Americans is to make New Year’s resolutions. We’ve all made promises or goals during our lives, and these resolutions are no different. What makes New Year’s resolutions so significant? To some, it signifies a new cycle of life–shed last year’s mistakes and woes and start off on a clean slate. It’s definitely a positive mindset. To others, it serves as a motivational tool. Some find similarities in their resolutions and work together to achieve them. Regardless of the rationality, New Year’s resolutions reflect the holiday spirit of bringing people together.

 

Whether it’s soapy snow, fireworks, music, a giant ball being dropped in Times Square, or making resolutions, the holidays are a time of celebration and community.