What are the pros and cons of studying language online versus in the classroom? Are there any benefits to the ways in which livemocha.com is set up to teach language? Any drawbacks? Describe your answer.
This is questions leaves me torn in regard to how I'd like to answer. I have mixed feelings as I used to instruct English lessons in a virtual classroom. I worked for a company called Englishtown, EF for about two years. I had students from all around the world in a virtual classroom of about 9 students sometimes more. I would teach via powerpoint slides, lessons that were based on everyday English and focused on one key grammar point a day. The pros to this style were that the student had access to Native English Speaking teachers from a variety of countries, ie Australia, South Africa, UK and North America, they were able to network and had access to a community of students from all around the world also learning the language. A huge plus to this type of online language learning is that the students were interacting with a native English speaker during their lesson. This helps tremendously with correction, pronunciation and more. As a teacher another key pro was that low level students who may not be inclined to speak in class due to high effective filters, speak confidently and are more keen to participate in this setting.
Now I'd like to compare Englishtown to Livemocha, which is in itself a whole other dimension of online language learning. It is much like Rosetta stone, but with live mocha you have access to that community of learners and resources online to help you. The pros to livemocha like Englishtown are that they both are convenient and relatively inexpensive, well even free for some languages. You have the convenience of learning a new language with minimal help in your own time. The cons unfortunately out weigh the pros for livemocha. Mainly because of the level of independence in the learning process. Much of the lessons are choral repetition, you and the computer, copying and memorizing. Very similar to the Structural Approach to learning a language. Now this may work for some, however others require that interaction with an instructor order to succeed. It's very hard to take on a language on your own, of course its feasible, but you are getting that additional support you would get in the classroom face to face with an instructor. It's hard to track your level of improvement or see where your mistakes lie and why. For example, when practicing during your lesson after the vocabulary introduction, you make your own sentences. Its quite challenging as you have to remember what you just saw in the previous slide and then reiterate it. If you make a mistake, it doesn't tell you why, it just highlights the error so you are left with trying to figure out your own mistake and fixing it. I feel especially with language corrections, I'd like to know why this article needs to be here or there. I also, think the lack of help with pronunciation is a drawback. I know you can record your audio and submit it which I did, then I was inundated with emails giving me feedback. Some were useful, however some where all in Portuguese or didn't give me much help in regard to pronunciation. I think livemocha would be great as an additional source to learning a new language. I might decide to take Portuguese lessons in the classroom and then use livemocha to help with my progress.
There are multiple pros and cons of learning a language online vs. a classroom.
The pros of online classrooms: immediacy, convenience(easy to access from any location), flexibility(can accommodate any schedule), anonymity(for shy, low confidence speakers/learners), and global community(can connect with learners from around the world).
The cons of online classrooms: lack of physical interaction with an instructor who can provide immediate feedback, lack of physical support from an instructor and classmates, and passive learning.
Livemocha has both benefits and drawbacks for language learning. The benefits of livemocha are that it is free, easily accessible, provides practice in vocabulary, writing, and pronunciation, and provides feedback from native speakers around the world. The drawbacks of livemocha are that it requires you to pay for programs that offer more language instruction, it doesn't provide you with an explanation for why your answer is incorrect, it only requires you to memorize and repeat information instead of actively learning the language, and it lacks more interactive instructional activities. I feel that livemocha has only helped me learn some new Italian vocabulary and key phrases to use in conversation, but that's all it has done for me.
Unfortunately, I feel there are more cons to using an online program like livemocha; however, I will acknowledge the pros because they have helped my own language learning experience. One great thing about studying language online is that I can control the pace. I can repeat lessons and vocabulary numerous times until I feel comfortable with it, and I can go back if I make mistakes. As a learner at beginner level, one pro of livemocha is the control I have over the language learning environment. I know many of my peers’ previous posts have discussed this idea of controlling pace and many of us found this tool to be helpful. An obvious difference between the classroom and an online setting is the ability to press repeat when you don’t fully understand something. The classroom does not allow for this type of control.
Even though I believe language learning should be a social act, I do appreciate the fact that livemocha.com is solitary because I am not anxious about speaking in Portuguese. I make plenty of mistakes while completing the verbal practice and I do not feel embarrassed. I simply delete that recording and try again until I feel it sounds right. Another advantage of the online learning environment is that my affective filter is very low. Since I do not have peers or a teacher to worry about, I am less concerned with mistakes and more concerned with simply trying to speak the language. As much as I think a little anxiety and pressure is useful when learning a language, learning in an environment free of that anxiety also has made this a pleasant experience. The different variables that would raise my affective filter are minimal or gone all together in an online setting such as livemocha—this is a clear advantage of the program. However, it is definitely a con of an online classroom to not have the physical support of a teacher and classmates. That interaction is essential when learning a language. Unfortunately, the online setting creates a more passive environment. In a classroom I could be interacting with peers and creating my own learning/knowledge, but online I am passively receiving the information.
Another con of an online classroom is that there is no instant feedback. Even though other users can correct your work and comment on how you’re doing, there is not real feedback there. For example, I try the verbal practices a few times, but no one instantly corrects me or guides me as to the right pronunciation. Since there are no social interactions, I am unable to hear how the words or phrases should be uttered and my mistakes go unnoticed and uncorrected. Also, in regards to the verbal practice, I wish there was a way to hear the paragraph correctly after you try to say it. This is definitely a drawback because my mistakes are becoming fossilized before I receive feedback on my pronunciation. I’ve noticed that when trying the verbal exercises I over utilize the monitor hypothesis but since I am not hearing the words in conversation or hearing how they are used correctly in various social settings, who knows if my overcorrecting is even correct!
As someone who agrees with the Constructivism approach and values the social aspect of language learning, the cons of livemocha outweigh the pros. If I were a language teacher, I would use livemocha as a complementary material to support the learning done within the classroom. I feel if livemocha’s program was used in conjunction with a formal language course, the combination would offer students great support throughout the language learning process.
Studying language online provides learners with low-anxiety learning environment, flexible schedules and opportunities to talk with native speakers as discussed by my classmates above. On the other hand, without teachers and classmates around, it is hard for learners to notice errors and to produce some non-exist phonetics which require special movements of tongue or lips. For example, I found it hard to pronounce the Spanish letter “r” in some words, and after I tried many different ways to imitate the sound, I still did not know the right way to move my tongue and lips. If there was a Spanish teacher who could show me or give me some tips, I believe it would be easier. Additionally, facing and talking to a computer for long hours during online learning is not a good experience itself.
I think Livemocha. Com is a great tool as a compensation for normal classroom language teaching. Students can practice listening, speaking, reading and writing through this program. However, I do not think it can replace classroom teaching, which provides more opportunities for genuine communication, effective instructions and instant feedbacks.
The pros for working with LiveMocha is that you can fit it into your schedule. For example, right now with 2 parttime jobs and graduate school classes, I wouldn't be able to fit in taking an additional language class but I can make time on the weekend to complete the lessons. I think it's neat that LiveMocha has native speakers of the language send you comments because it gives me the opportunity to try to read in Spanish.
The cons for me are 1) technical difficulties. I cannot access the basic Spanish lesson and have had to contact the site to see if basic lessons are available for the Spanish language. If not, I have to keep trying to register for a free trial of active Spanish which is a bit of a pain and I'm sure they won't allow me to sign up for the free trial 10 times.
The other con is that there are mostly multiple choice questions in the lessons I have completed. It's easy to get these answers correct. It is also inauthentic. I would prefer to learn by attempting to speak with a native speaker in a one-on-one tutoring session rather than listening to a computer. I noticed that though I got 100% on all parts of the lesson, I immediatly forgot the key words I learned. I think this is due to the inauthentic setting in which we are learning. I think some audio learners might do better at this than me, but because I am definitely more of a social learner (Vygotsky) I need to have real interactions with real people.
The pros and cons of studying language online Pro It’s convenient, you can learn whenever and wherever you want. It’s free. The program can go at your pace.
Cons You don’t know if you’re speaking the language correctly. Impersonal Not interactive, and I need to interact to learn.
There are benefits in the way livemocha.com is set up. The fact that it provides others that speak the language fluently to assess your work is nice, it really lets you know if you’re doing well(although its not as good as having a real teacher). I also like that you can go back to past lessons and review what you’ve done. The drawbacks that most cross my mind is that it’s so impersonal. When I was learning French I loved that I would hear my teachers voice, not cut off like in livemocha.com, but in a fluid motion. This made fluency a lot easier for me. I also loved being able to speak with friends and classmates with the language, that’s not something that I can do while learning a language online. Language is such a deeply personal thing for me, that an online language course would never work. I need the live teacher standing in front of me telling me to repeat the same thing over and over until I get the pronunciation right.
For an on-line course, Live Mocha is probably about the best it could be. The course tries to cover the teaching of comprehension and production through an on-line format, but it could never compare with a classroom experience. . As was mentioned in the Saunders and Goldberg article in Improving Education for English Learners, language is for the purpose of making meaning both in terms of receptive language and production. Despite the fact that the Live Mocha course tries to address this through the interactive aspect of its design, nothing can replace a face-to-face interaction. The interactions that do take place are with strangers with whom we are less likely to take the risks necessary for true language learning. The high affective filter that results from this type of interaction outweighs any potential comfort that might be found in the anonymity. As many researchers are coming to realize, attempts at production play an important role in learning to speak a new language. By its very nature, an on-line experience cannot provide these opportunities. Live Mocha presents a fairly good introduction to the languages. It is possible to learn basic vocabulary and grammar through the exercises. The design of the lessons reflects the audiolingual method of repetition and drill. A behavioralist approach is apparent in the availability of instant error correction in the multiple-choice design of the lessons. One advantage of the program is that it is self-paced; we can proceed at our own speed. Through these methods, I think my receptive skills could be developed at a basic level. I would be able to read and understand simple sentence structures and basic vocabulary. If I were going to travel to Portugal, Live Mocha could bring me to a level where I might be able to function as a tourist. However, in order to reach the level of being able to engage in conversations and making meaning, I would require the presence of peers and mentors that can only be found in a classroom.
Live Mocha has several strong pros in its favor. For example, it excited me and got me interested in learning a little bit of a language- both through its free availability (mostly), and through its easy accessibility at all times. I believe it was Ilana above who mentioned that she didn't have time for a true in person language course and I agree. This is a great way for modern person who is turned onto social media and technology to get involved in another language. I also like that it is in no way stressful, gives me visuals that work well my learning style,attempts to provide feedback and has tools such as translation buttons on the side. However, I think we all know that Vygotsky would disaprove of this style of learning a language as it removes one from the social aspect and the feedback isnt' immediate. In this week's reading, it mentioned how most appropriately to give feedback to students, whether through recasts or detailed corrections. Either way, they studies indicated that it should be done immediately and often to be effective. I need more of this, especially as the Czech I am learning has very difficult verbal sounds. I need explanations rather than my own constructivist stories I create as to why they place words in that order. Plus, to be honest, my lack of motivation isn't there and I can easily score high on the tests because I am visual and have a good SHORTTERM memory for these things. I agree wholeheartedly with Cindy, this is much too structural overall, but a good component to add onto a class teaching these languages. It might also serve a type of learner who is highly intrinsically motivated and determined. So in regards to teaching a language online rather than in person, I feel the same pros and cons appply and a teacher requires either better prepared systems that Cindy experienced with a true teacher, or it needs to be in person.
I have to say that I don't like the idea of learning a language online, I just have this feeling that nothing's going to come of it. However, there are some definite pro's to this method of learning. First off, I have the ability to pause, rewind, and fast foward through lessons. When I don't understand what was said I can rewind and listen as many times as I need to. I also have instant access to online translator programs. I can listen to someone pronouncing my flashcards with 100% accuracy. Now maybe this seems like the perfect way of learning to some people, but I can't do it well. I feel like I don't take the online atmoshpere as seriously as I would if it were in a classroom setting. I don't feel the pressure to really learn what I want. Do I have the motivation? Yes, but I also am not 100% commited to the memorization factor. I rely some on guessing. Another significant con of online language learning for me is missing the social interaction. We all know that in language learning, the social aspect comes quicker than the more technical, academic side of language. We use our social skills everyday with people, by using this online program, I've wiped out the need for social interaction. I have nothing to base what I'm saying on (other than computer prompts) and no one to provide immediate feedback.
At this rate, learning one lesson every week, is weighing heavily upon the side of cons. The social learning aspect has already been removed from the situation. Should we further complicate things by taking one session every week? Seems a little pointless. If I made the effort to get on maybe 3 times a week, I'd have a shot at coming out with random vocab words and sentences.
I guess I would consider myself pretty “old school” when it comes to learning: I prefer face-to-face vs. online education environments. That being said, I can see a few benefits for online language learning like livemocha.com. First is the flexibility and freedom to complete lessons on your own time from the comfort of your own home. Second is the convenience. We know that a low affective filter is conducive to language learning so for some students the comfort they may feel being able to move at their own pace, make mistakes without recognition, and even attend a course in their pajamas could contribute to a low stress environment. Despite these positive attributes, I think that the benefits of a traditional language classroom environment far outweigh those of online learning. Some drawbacks to online language learning setups like livemocha.com include lack of authentic communication opportunities, lack of non-prescribed language learning and lack of introduction of language in context. In a traditional “brick and mortar” classroom, the lesson is supplemented with auxiliary language. The teacher greets you, you greet your friends, instructions are given, etc. On livemocha.com, the only language that a student is exposed to is the predetermined words and expressions in the activities. In addition, we know from Krashen that a formula of “I + 1” is helpful in pushing student improvement. With a course like livemocha.com, there is not a teacher analyzing your level and setting lessons at an “I + 1” standard. Although I realize that online learning is the way of the future, I cannot see it utility as an effective tool for language learning. I can see its effectiveness in terms of an additional study aid, but not as a main mode of acquisition.
The pros for studying a lesson online is that it is convenient and accessible for many people. For example, I have every busy days and sometimes don’t have enough time in the day to do everything. An online language lesson is very convenient, because I can wake up early before my day starts and do the lesson, or do it later in the evening. I also think that an online language class could be a little less intimidating. It gives you the freedom to speak and write the language without worrying about what others think.
Although there are many pros, I do think that there are many cons to studying a language (really much of anything) online versus in a classroom setting. I think it is developmentally important for the learner to interact and use the language in a social and formal context. I also think, even though you may be more intimidated, there is more thought to you’re work (regarding speaking and writing) if you know others are listening and being a part of your learning experience face-to-face.
I think livemocha is beneficial to many who want to learn a new language. I think it is great that many lessons are free, but I don’t know that it is the most effective way to really learn a language. I like the feedback and the variety in lessons such as; writing, listening, reading, and speaking. I think livemocha is a great way to begin to learn a lesson. I think it is a good introduction to a new language. Maybe as the lessons continue I will change my mind, but at this point I think I would emerge more as a language learner if I was interacting more with the language, than just with the computer
I am just now posting to this because my language learning has been a little delayed to to my inability to get livemocha to work for free for me - which is a total con! From my few experiences working with Livemocha I felt that it was great and convenient because it was online and (supposedly) free - making it accessible to people of all ages, locations and backgrounds. Typically language programs are very costly and thus turn people off to learning a new language.
I am now learning Italian from a program called Behind the Wheel - a language program that is designed to help people learn a language while driving. Like Livemocha it is very convenient and time effective. It cost around $30 for 12 CDs.
What I have found to be the cons for both programs is the lack of meaningful and interactive learning opportunities. Having lived in Italy for 3 months (yet not learn any of the language because I travelled with 50 other American students) I was able to make some connections, however the programs are somewhat impersonal. I feel like the learning is very rote and that I am only picking up a fraction of what I would learn in a more interactive, social context.
For me, there are many pros and cons to studying language online. First, some of the positive aspects to studying language online are that you can go at your own pace, replay lessons as many times as necessary, and practice in the privacy of your own home. There is no added pressure from a teacher or classmates listening to you struggle with pronunciations. Also, the differentiation in ItalianPod101 is very nice because the listener can choose a level of Italia to listen to, for example, Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. On the other hand, I feel that there are several negative aspects with regard to learning language online. First off, by practicing with a computer, there is no way to practice interacting in the foreign language in an authentic manner. The speakers pronounce the phrases, and then the listener repeats them, but there is no social interaction. I also feel like sometimes the lesson moves to quickly for me. I have trouble figuring out where in the notes we are, and have to pause the recording to practice my own pronunciation. They do not leave enough time for us to repeat each phrase after them. I am enjoying using ItalianPod101 because the lessons are geared toward a specific topic that would actually be important if I were in Italy, such as, introducing yourself or asking someone where they are from. I also like that this program incorporates some cultural facts that help bridge the gap between English and Italian. However, sometimes I get frustrated by the speed of ItalianPod101. The lessons are very fast paced and can be difficult to follow. Overall, I think that I am doing well learning a language through an online program, but would probably improve even more if I had a teacher or expert giving me immediate feedback.
Studying a language online has many pros and cons as opposed to learning in the classroom. Using the Italian Pod Cast 101 is helpful because it allows me to look at the notes of what is being discussed as well as being able to listen to the recording as many times as I feel like. For me this is a much better solution than learning Italian in a classroom. I am able to sit in the privacy of my apartment and practice the language as fast or slow as I care to. If I have any questions of something that confused me, I am able to pause the pod-cast, which allows me find most of the answers online. Another aspect of the online process that I admire is that there is no one in a classroom that is constantly shouting out the answers and making it harder for you to concentrate. Most teachers I’ve had have gone at too quick a pace where I was unable to follow. I see Second Language acquisition as an art form. You’re first introduced to it and then you can eventually develop a style that works best for you in the real world. There are drawbacks to this method of learning. It does become difficult after a few of the lessons to pick what you learned the week before. Since there are so many other things going on you are not be immersed with the language on a day-to-day basis. Language, for me and I believe most people, is not like riding a bike; you can’t just pick it back up after not using it for a certain amount of time. Learning a second language in the classroom is also nice because you can get a lot more structure that you can’t get online. You can also pick up different way of learning the grammar and structure of the language. Italian Pod Cast 101 seems to be running smoothly but I think that if there was a lesson that lasted a whole week instead of one that’s short, it could be more efficient for me to learn the language.
I find there are a number of pros and cons of studying language online versus in the classroom. In terms of the pros of studying online, I find it to be extremely convenient. Rather than attending a fixed class schedule, I can work at my own pace, whenever I like, from wherever is convenient. The flexibility of learning a language online is very attractive. Online learning also relieves a lot of anxiety and external pressure from those who have low self-confidence or a fear of participating in the classroom. In technical terms, the affective filter in an online class is very low. During my early schooling years I found it very hard for me to participate during class and I believe online learning provides a very “safe” and comfortable learning setting for students with that kind of anxiety. I have found my learning experience on livemocha.com to be a positive one so far in terms of improving vocabulary, pronunciation and sentence structure.
Online learning however is missing face-to-face interaction available in a classroom setting. For me personally, interaction with peers and a facilitator is necessary for me to have a fully effective learning experience. Support from both students and teacher is extremely important during any kind of learning experience. The type of language learning available online is centered around choral repetition and rote memorization, with no support or interaction with other learner’s or teacher. Online learning is also missing the instant feedback learner’s receive in classrooms. Instant feedback allows students to immediately confront their mistake and realize where they went wrong. On sites like livemocha.com however, it may take a couple days before receiving any feedback, lowering the effectiveness. To me, the cons of online language learning outweigh the pros.
I have several reasons why I like study language online base on both my online teaching and learning experience. First, compare with the traditional classroom, study online is more flexible and economy. Students can choose when getting to study and how many hours they spend on language learning per day. Cheaper tuition is also an attraction of online study, which has tons of free resources and relatively cheaply prices to pay for classes. Second, students can choose classes which suitable for them base on their needs and levels. As Eisenstein claimed, there is no doubt that many methods can attribute to and influence the second language acquisition and there is no one particular method effective competent in all kinds of second language class. It is really very hard to learn something if a student is unaccustomed to certain classrooms or certain teaching strategies. But if they can study online, they can choose their favorite from different types of classes. Third, online study could create a studying atmosphere, in which everyone can feel the relaxation and happiness. Base on the Affective Filter Hypothesis (Krashen, 1981), low anxiety would helpful for language learning. In my experience, I always feel more relax when I study Japanese online, and I think my online study is as effective as classroom study.
However, online study still has some flaws. As an online teacher and meanwhile an online student, I find the biggest challenge for online study is the sense of isolation when studying online. The relative distance between teachers and students (no matter time or space) makes it is different to build a study community and learning atmosphere. That is means students would fell lost during the non-verbally communicate. Therefore, we need discussion board and online language partners. As I talked about online language partners, I think that is one of the most benefits of livemocha.com. Every time when I finfish my writing and speaking recording, the system will help me to find some native speakers give me very useful comments.
About drawbacks of livemocha.com, I think the most uncomfortable to me is I need a vocabulary list to review. When I was taught Chinese, I made a vocabulary list to my students every lesson. That is very helpful to beginning learners to get familiar with the pronunciation and remember new words. And I felt sometimes I still the grammar study. Until now I haven’t found any instruct about Japanese words order and this really makes me confuse. I have to go to other website to study grammar, because basic grammar study is necessary for me. Fortunately, I can study grammar by use other website rescouse, which is also strength of online study.
I can think of many pros and cons of learning a language online. A negative aspect that has been clear to me during my Live Mocha session is the lose of face to face feedback, attention and interaction you can obtain at any moment during your onsite, face to face, traditional lesson.
On the other hand a positive aspect of learning via Live Mocha is that I literally can “hop” on the tool and learn the language at any time I want to, this I think is positive for the learner due to the fact that it is able to stimulate and capture a students momentum to learn.
Other disadvantages Live Mocha has is that students may lose motivation to continue their study in the language due to the fact that the tool does not commit the student in any way (monetary wise, academic wise, etc) to the program therefore risking completion.
Live Mocha has also surprised me in the sense that it has connected me to more native speakers that have given me good feedback in some cases. Live Mocha has made it easy for me to stay engaged in the lessons and to want to learn more. I do feel that Live Mocha lacks of opportunities to make live conversation which would generate meaningful learning and motivate/force me to learn more vocabulary. After analyzing and thinking of a few pros and cons I personally feel more comfortable learning a language in a classroom setting.
Ni Hao, LiveMocha does not offer Chinese. I have been using downloaded audio language lessons. First the Berlitz Method, and second Pimsleur's Method. I prefer Pimsleur's method because his method offers contextual conversations in a learning style which allows for optimal learning. His method uses what he calls a "rate of saturation" whereby by as the lessons progress, the learner practices new sentences using different combinations of the words learned in the unit. There is a progression from words to sentence structures, and much practice using question and answer scenarios. One pro of this method is the absence of affective filter. I can vocalize the new sounds without feeling shy. I've noticed that repeatedly hearing the sounds helps me to discern the correct sound, although it's not perfect by any means. In addition, I can adjust the volume and rate of speed of the speaker with the ipod. I can also practice many times during the week, and repeat/replay weak areas of learning. I can be less nervous when I practice my new lesson with classmates, Kathy and Shirley. I have already practiced my lesson with my neighbor, who can understand what I am trying to say. Listening to my speech, my neighbor then helps me hone my pronunciation. This leads to the downside of this method if you didn't have anyone to practice with, getting feedback on correct pronunciation would be a challenge until you use the language naturally. I prefer a classroom setting for learning languages for the following reason: contextual and meaningful language situations, shared learning, immediate feedback, and the ability to learn other language skills along with oral learning and practicing. Learning the read/write Chinese, especially Pinyin, the romanized Chinese would also be of help with pronunciation. For me, optimal learning comes through both methods, one reinforces the other.
I think studying a language online has more cons than pros.
Cons- The biggest con is too much focus on audio/linguistic methods. What I mean is that sites like Live Mocha are too concerned with repeating the same patterns back. The learner does not get the option to practice different patterns of learned vocabulary(similar to Karen's explanation of "rate of Saturation" above) until the writing section which is very brief. I believe classroom learning allows a very high rate of saturation in which the learner has unlimited opportunities to create their own sentences with learned material. They do this through communicative learning.
Pros- I think the biggest pro to online language learning is flexibility to study the language at any time. For people that can't commit to specific times in a classroom this is a good solution. In addition the affective filter is very low in online learning. Stress, time crunches, and nerves are usually at a minimum while learning online. Live Mocha doesn't even have timed learning lessons or quizzes. With a low affective filter this can make learning much easier for some people.
I just completed my first live mocha lesson. I enjoyed how interactive it was. It reminded me of my Rosetta Stone disks, but added a bit more to these lessons, perhaps because I started at a more advanced level here. It was much more interesting than the verb book I have been working with. I was not expecting it to be as interactive as it was and was pleased to receive feedback from another member. This was both helpful and encouraging. Working in a classroom, you have the obvious benefit of direct work with a person who speaks the language that you learn, but unless you are receiving private lessons you have to share the teacher with other students. I enjoyed how focused the internet lesson was because I could go at my own pace and chose the lessons I wanted to focus on. The user feedback made the lesson more intimate for me too. One drawback to online learning is having to learn the technology along with the language. I suppose this can be a positive lesson as well, but it can slow the language learning a bit, when you have to try to figure out some of the technological aspects of computer based learning. I can not record the speaking part of my lesson. More time spend on figuring this out is less time learning Spanish!
This is questions leaves me torn in regard to how I'd like to answer. I have mixed feelings as I used to instruct English lessons in a virtual classroom. I worked for a company called Englishtown, EF for about two years. I had students from all around the world in a virtual classroom of about 9 students sometimes more. I would teach via powerpoint slides, lessons that were based on everyday English and focused on one key grammar point a day. The pros to this style were that the student had access to Native English Speaking teachers from a variety of countries, ie Australia, South Africa, UK and North America, they were able to network and had access to a community of students from all around the world also learning the language. A huge plus to this type of online language learning is that the students were interacting with a native English speaker during their lesson. This helps tremendously with correction, pronunciation and more. As a teacher another key pro was that low level students who may not be inclined to speak in class due to high effective filters, speak confidently and are more keen to participate in this setting.
ReplyDeleteNow I'd like to compare Englishtown to Livemocha, which is in itself a whole other dimension of online language learning. It is much like Rosetta stone, but with live mocha you have access to that community of learners and resources online to help you. The pros to livemocha like Englishtown are that they both are convenient and relatively inexpensive, well even free for some languages. You have the convenience of learning a new language with minimal help in your own time.
The cons unfortunately out weigh the pros for livemocha. Mainly because of the level of independence in the learning process. Much of the lessons are choral repetition, you and the computer, copying and memorizing. Very similar to the Structural Approach to learning a language. Now this may work for some, however others require that interaction with an instructor order to succeed. It's very hard to take on a language on your own, of course its feasible, but you are getting that additional support you would get in the classroom face to face with an instructor. It's hard to track your level of improvement or see where your mistakes lie and why. For example, when practicing during your lesson after the vocabulary introduction, you make your own sentences. Its quite challenging as you have to remember what you just saw in the previous slide and then reiterate it. If you make a mistake, it doesn't tell you why, it just highlights the error so you are left with trying to figure out your own mistake and fixing it. I feel especially with language corrections, I'd like to know why this article needs to be here or there. I also, think the lack of help with pronunciation is a drawback. I know you can record your audio and submit it which I did, then I was inundated with emails giving me feedback. Some were useful, however some where all in Portuguese or didn't give me much help in regard to pronunciation. I think livemocha would be great as an additional source to learning a new language. I might decide to take Portuguese lessons in the classroom and then use livemocha to help with my progress.
There are multiple pros and cons of learning a language online vs. a classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe pros of online classrooms: immediacy, convenience(easy to access from any location), flexibility(can accommodate any schedule), anonymity(for shy, low confidence speakers/learners), and global community(can connect with learners from around the world).
The cons of online classrooms: lack of physical interaction with an instructor who can provide immediate feedback, lack of physical support from an instructor and classmates, and passive learning.
Livemocha has both benefits and drawbacks for language learning. The benefits of livemocha are that it is free, easily accessible, provides practice in vocabulary, writing, and pronunciation, and provides feedback from native speakers around the world. The drawbacks of livemocha are that it requires you to pay for programs that offer more language instruction, it doesn't provide you with an explanation for why your answer is incorrect, it only requires you to memorize and repeat information instead of actively learning the language, and it lacks more interactive instructional activities. I feel that livemocha has only helped me learn some new Italian vocabulary and key phrases to use in conversation, but that's all it has done for me.
Unfortunately, I feel there are more cons to using an online program like livemocha; however, I will acknowledge the pros because they have helped my own language learning experience. One great thing about studying language online is that I can control the pace. I can repeat lessons and vocabulary numerous times until I feel comfortable with it, and I can go back if I make mistakes. As a learner at beginner level, one pro of livemocha is the control I have over the language learning environment. I know many of my peers’ previous posts have discussed this idea of controlling pace and many of us found this tool to be helpful. An obvious difference between the classroom and an online setting is the ability to press repeat when you don’t fully understand something. The classroom does not allow for this type of control.
ReplyDeleteEven though I believe language learning should be a social act, I do appreciate the fact that livemocha.com is solitary because I am not anxious about speaking in Portuguese. I make plenty of mistakes while completing the verbal practice and I do not feel embarrassed. I simply delete that recording and try again until I feel it sounds right. Another advantage of the online learning environment is that my affective filter is very low. Since I do not have peers or a teacher to worry about, I am less concerned with mistakes and more concerned with simply trying to speak the language. As much as I think a little anxiety and pressure is useful when learning a language, learning in an environment free of that anxiety also has made this a pleasant experience. The different variables that would raise my affective filter are minimal or gone all together in an online setting such as livemocha—this is a clear advantage of the program. However, it is definitely a con of an online classroom to not have the physical support of a teacher and classmates. That interaction is essential when learning a language. Unfortunately, the online setting creates a more passive environment. In a classroom I could be interacting with peers and creating my own learning/knowledge, but online I am passively receiving the information.
Another con of an online classroom is that there is no instant feedback. Even though other users can correct your work and comment on how you’re doing, there is not real feedback there. For example, I try the verbal practices a few times, but no one instantly corrects me or guides me as to the right pronunciation. Since there are no social interactions, I am unable to hear how the words or phrases should be uttered and my mistakes go unnoticed and uncorrected. Also, in regards to the verbal practice, I wish there was a way to hear the paragraph correctly after you try to say it. This is definitely a drawback because my mistakes are becoming fossilized before I receive feedback on my pronunciation. I’ve noticed that when trying the verbal exercises I over utilize the monitor hypothesis but since I am not hearing the words in conversation or hearing how they are used correctly in various social settings, who knows if my overcorrecting is even correct!
As someone who agrees with the Constructivism approach and values the social aspect of language learning, the cons of livemocha outweigh the pros. If I were a language teacher, I would use livemocha as a complementary material to support the learning done within the classroom. I feel if livemocha’s program was used in conjunction with a formal language course, the combination would offer students great support throughout the language learning process.
Studying language online provides learners with low-anxiety learning environment, flexible schedules and opportunities to talk with native speakers as discussed by my classmates above.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, without teachers and classmates around, it is hard for learners to notice errors and to produce some non-exist phonetics which require special movements of tongue or lips. For example, I found it hard to pronounce the Spanish letter “r” in some words, and after I tried many different ways to imitate the sound, I still did not know the right way to move my tongue and lips. If there was a Spanish teacher who could show me or give me some tips, I believe it would be easier. Additionally, facing and talking to a computer for long hours during online learning is not a good experience itself.
I think Livemocha. Com is a great tool as a compensation for normal classroom language teaching. Students can practice listening, speaking, reading and writing through this program. However, I do not think it can replace classroom teaching, which provides more opportunities for genuine communication, effective instructions and instant feedbacks.
This is Ilana -
ReplyDeleteThe pros for working with LiveMocha is that you can fit it into your schedule. For example, right now with 2 parttime jobs and graduate school classes, I wouldn't be able to fit in taking an additional language class but I can make time on the weekend to complete the lessons. I think it's neat that LiveMocha has native speakers of the language send you comments because it gives me the opportunity to try to read in Spanish.
The cons for me are 1) technical difficulties. I cannot access the basic Spanish lesson and have had to contact the site to see if basic lessons are available for the Spanish language. If not, I have to keep trying to register for a free trial of active Spanish which is a bit of a pain and I'm sure they won't allow me to sign up for the free trial 10 times.
The other con is that there are mostly multiple choice questions in the lessons I have completed. It's easy to get these answers correct. It is also inauthentic. I would prefer to learn by attempting to speak with a native speaker in a one-on-one tutoring session rather than listening to a computer. I noticed that though I got 100% on all parts of the lesson, I immediatly forgot the key words I learned. I think this is due to the inauthentic setting in which we are learning. I think some audio learners might do better at this than me, but because I am definitely more of a social learner (Vygotsky) I need to have real interactions with real people.
The pros and cons of studying language online
ReplyDeletePro
It’s convenient, you can learn whenever and wherever you want.
It’s free.
The program can go at your pace.
Cons
You don’t know if you’re speaking the language correctly.
Impersonal
Not interactive, and I need to interact to learn.
There are benefits in the way livemocha.com is set up. The fact that it provides others that speak the language fluently to assess your work is nice, it really lets you know if you’re doing well(although its not as good as having a real teacher). I also like that you can go back to past lessons and review what you’ve done. The drawbacks that most cross my mind is that it’s so impersonal. When I was learning French I loved that I would hear my teachers voice, not cut off like in livemocha.com, but in a fluid motion. This made fluency a lot easier for me. I also loved being able to speak with friends and classmates with the language, that’s not something that I can do while learning a language online. Language is such a deeply personal thing for me, that an online language course would never work. I need the live teacher standing in front of me telling me to repeat the same thing over and over until I get the pronunciation right.
For an on-line course, Live Mocha is probably about the best it could be. The course tries to cover the teaching of comprehension and production through an on-line format, but it could never compare with a classroom experience. . As was mentioned in the Saunders and Goldberg article in Improving Education for English Learners, language is for the purpose of making meaning both in terms of receptive language and production. Despite the fact that the Live Mocha course tries to address this through the interactive aspect of its design, nothing can replace a face-to-face interaction. The interactions that do take place are with strangers with whom we are less likely to take the risks necessary for true language learning. The high affective filter that results from this type of interaction outweighs any potential comfort that might be found in the anonymity. As many researchers are coming to realize, attempts at production play an important role in learning to speak a new language. By its very nature, an on-line experience cannot provide these opportunities.
ReplyDeleteLive Mocha presents a fairly good introduction to the languages. It is possible to learn basic vocabulary and grammar through the exercises. The design of the lessons reflects the audiolingual method of repetition and drill. A behavioralist approach is apparent in the availability of instant error correction in the multiple-choice design of the lessons. One advantage of the program is that it is self-paced; we can proceed at our own speed.
Through these methods, I think my receptive skills could be developed at a basic level. I would be able to read and understand simple sentence structures and basic vocabulary. If I were going to travel to Portugal, Live Mocha could bring me to a level where I might be able to function as a tourist. However, in order to reach the level of being able to engage in conversations and making meaning, I would require the presence of peers and mentors that can only be found in a classroom.
Live Mocha has several strong pros in its favor. For example, it excited me and got me interested in learning a little bit of a language- both through its free availability (mostly), and through its easy accessibility at all times. I believe it was Ilana above who mentioned that she didn't have time for a true in person language course and I agree. This is a great way for modern person who is turned onto social media and technology to get involved in another language. I also like that it is in no way stressful, gives me visuals that work well my learning style,attempts to provide feedback and has tools such as translation buttons on the side.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think we all know that Vygotsky would disaprove of this style of learning a language as it removes one from the social aspect and the feedback isnt' immediate. In this week's reading, it mentioned how most appropriately to give feedback to students, whether through recasts or detailed corrections. Either way, they studies indicated that it should be done immediately and often to be effective. I need more of this, especially as the Czech I am learning has very difficult verbal sounds. I need explanations rather than my own constructivist stories I create as to why they place words in that order. Plus, to be honest, my lack of motivation isn't there and I can easily score high on the tests because I am visual and have a good SHORTTERM memory for these things. I agree wholeheartedly with Cindy, this is much too structural overall, but a good component to add onto a class teaching these languages. It might also serve a type of learner who is highly intrinsically motivated and determined.
So in regards to teaching a language online rather than in person, I feel the same pros and cons appply and a teacher requires either better prepared systems that Cindy experienced with a true teacher, or it needs to be in person.
I have to say that I don't like the idea of learning a language online, I just have this feeling that nothing's going to come of it. However, there are some definite pro's to this method of learning. First off, I have the ability to pause, rewind, and fast foward through lessons. When I don't understand what was said I can rewind and listen as many times as I need to. I also have instant access to online translator programs. I can listen to someone pronouncing my flashcards with 100% accuracy. Now maybe this seems like the perfect way of learning to some people, but I can't do it well. I feel like I don't take the online atmoshpere as seriously as I would if it were in a classroom setting. I don't feel the pressure to really learn what I want. Do I have the motivation? Yes, but I also am not 100% commited to the memorization factor. I rely some on guessing. Another significant con of online language learning for me is missing the social interaction. We all know that in language learning, the social aspect comes quicker than the more technical, academic side of language. We use our social skills everyday with people, by using this online program, I've wiped out the need for social interaction. I have nothing to base what I'm saying on (other than computer prompts) and no one to provide immediate feedback.
ReplyDeleteAt this rate, learning one lesson every week, is weighing heavily upon the side of cons. The social learning aspect has already been removed from the situation. Should we further complicate things by taking one session every week? Seems a little pointless. If I made the effort to get on maybe 3 times a week, I'd have a shot at coming out with random vocab words and sentences.
I guess I would consider myself pretty “old school” when it comes to learning: I prefer face-to-face vs. online education environments. That being said, I can see a few benefits for online language learning like livemocha.com. First is the flexibility and freedom to complete lessons on your own time from the comfort of your own home. Second is the convenience. We know that a low affective filter is conducive to language learning so for some students the comfort they may feel being able to move at their own pace, make mistakes without recognition, and even attend a course in their pajamas could contribute to a low stress environment.
ReplyDeleteDespite these positive attributes, I think that the benefits of a traditional language classroom environment far outweigh those of online learning. Some drawbacks to online language learning setups like livemocha.com include lack of authentic communication opportunities, lack of non-prescribed language learning and lack of introduction of language in context. In a traditional “brick and mortar” classroom, the lesson is supplemented with auxiliary language. The teacher greets you, you greet your friends, instructions are given, etc. On livemocha.com, the only language that a student is exposed to is the predetermined words and expressions in the activities.
In addition, we know from Krashen that a formula of “I + 1” is helpful in pushing student improvement. With a course like livemocha.com, there is not a teacher analyzing your level and setting lessons at an “I + 1” standard.
Although I realize that online learning is the way of the future, I cannot see it utility as an effective tool for language learning. I can see its effectiveness in terms of an additional study aid, but not as a main mode of acquisition.
The pros for studying a lesson online is that it is convenient and accessible for many people. For example, I have every busy days and sometimes don’t have enough time in the day to do everything. An online language lesson is very convenient, because I can wake up early before my day starts and do the lesson, or do it later in the evening. I also think that an online language class could be a little less intimidating. It gives you the freedom to speak and write the language without worrying about what others think.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are many pros, I do think that there are many cons to studying a language (really much of anything) online versus in a classroom setting. I think it is developmentally important for the learner to interact and use the language in a social and formal context. I also think, even though you may be more intimidated, there is more thought to you’re work (regarding speaking and writing) if you know others are listening and being a part of your learning experience face-to-face.
I think livemocha is beneficial to many who want to learn a new language. I think it is great that many lessons are free, but I don’t know that it is the most effective way to really learn a language. I like the feedback and the variety in lessons such as; writing, listening, reading, and speaking. I think livemocha is a great way to begin to learn a lesson. I think it is a good introduction to a new language. Maybe as the lessons continue I will change my mind, but at this point I think I would emerge more as a language learner if I was interacting more with the language, than just with the computer
I am just now posting to this because my language learning has been a little delayed to to my inability to get livemocha to work for free for me - which is a total con! From my few experiences working with Livemocha I felt that it was great and convenient because it was online and (supposedly) free - making it accessible to people of all ages, locations and backgrounds. Typically language programs are very costly and thus turn people off to learning a new language.
ReplyDeleteI am now learning Italian from a program called Behind the Wheel - a language program that is designed to help people learn a language while driving. Like Livemocha it is very convenient and time effective. It cost around $30 for 12 CDs.
What I have found to be the cons for both programs is the lack of meaningful and interactive learning opportunities. Having lived in Italy for 3 months (yet not learn any of the language because I travelled with 50 other American students) I was able to make some connections, however the programs are somewhat impersonal. I feel like the learning is very rote and that I am only picking up a fraction of what I would learn in a more interactive, social context.
For me, there are many pros and cons to studying language online. First, some of the positive aspects to studying language online are that you can go at your own pace, replay lessons as many times as necessary, and practice in the privacy of your own home. There is no added pressure from a teacher or classmates listening to you struggle with pronunciations. Also, the differentiation in ItalianPod101 is very nice because the listener can choose a level of Italia to listen to, for example, Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I feel that there are several negative aspects with regard to learning language online. First off, by practicing with a computer, there is no way to practice interacting in the foreign language in an authentic manner. The speakers pronounce the phrases, and then the listener repeats them, but there is no social interaction. I also feel like sometimes the lesson moves to quickly for me. I have trouble figuring out where in the notes we are, and have to pause the recording to practice my own pronunciation. They do not leave enough time for us to repeat each phrase after them.
I am enjoying using ItalianPod101 because the lessons are geared toward a specific topic that would actually be important if I were in Italy, such as, introducing yourself or asking someone where they are from. I also like that this program incorporates some cultural facts that help bridge the gap between English and Italian. However, sometimes I get frustrated by the speed of ItalianPod101. The lessons are very fast paced and can be difficult to follow. Overall, I think that I am doing well learning a language through an online program, but would probably improve even more if I had a teacher or expert giving me immediate feedback.
Studying a language online has many pros and cons as opposed to learning in the classroom. Using the Italian Pod Cast 101 is helpful because it allows me to look at the notes of what is being discussed as well as being able to listen to the recording as many times as I feel like. For me this is a much better solution than learning Italian in a classroom. I am able to sit in the privacy of my apartment and practice the language as fast or slow as I care to. If I have any questions of something that confused me, I am able to pause the pod-cast, which allows me find most of the answers online. Another aspect of the online process that I admire is that there is no one in a classroom that is constantly shouting out the answers and making it harder for you to concentrate. Most teachers I’ve had have gone at too quick a pace where I was unable to follow. I see Second Language acquisition as an art form. You’re first introduced to it and then you can eventually develop a style that works best for you in the real world.
ReplyDeleteThere are drawbacks to this method of learning. It does become difficult after a few of the lessons to pick what you learned the week before. Since there are so many other things going on you are not be immersed with the language on a day-to-day basis. Language, for me and I believe most people, is not like riding a bike; you can’t just pick it back up after not using it for a certain amount of time. Learning a second language in the classroom is also nice because you can get a lot more structure that you can’t get online. You can also pick up different way of learning the grammar and structure of the language. Italian Pod Cast 101 seems to be running smoothly but I think that if there was a lesson that lasted a whole week instead of one that’s short, it could be more efficient for me to learn the language.
I find there are a number of pros and cons of studying language online versus in the classroom. In terms of the pros of studying online, I find it to be extremely convenient. Rather than attending a fixed class schedule, I can work at my own pace, whenever I like, from wherever is convenient. The flexibility of learning a language online is very attractive. Online learning also relieves a lot of anxiety and external pressure from those who have low self-confidence or a fear of participating in the classroom. In technical terms, the affective filter in an online class is very low. During my early schooling years I found it very hard for me to participate during class and I believe online learning provides a very “safe” and comfortable learning setting for students with that kind of anxiety. I have found my learning experience on livemocha.com to be a positive one so far in terms of improving vocabulary, pronunciation and sentence structure.
ReplyDeleteOnline learning however is missing face-to-face interaction available in a classroom setting. For me personally, interaction with peers and a facilitator is necessary for me to have a fully effective learning experience. Support from both students and teacher is extremely important during any kind of learning experience. The type of language learning available online is centered around choral repetition and rote memorization, with no support or interaction with other learner’s or teacher. Online learning is also missing the instant feedback learner’s receive in classrooms. Instant feedback allows students to immediately confront their mistake and realize where they went wrong. On sites like livemocha.com however, it may take a couple days before receiving any feedback, lowering the effectiveness. To me, the cons of online language learning outweigh the pros.
I have several reasons why I like study language online base on both my online teaching and learning experience. First, compare with the traditional classroom, study online is more flexible and economy. Students can choose when getting to study and how many hours they spend on language learning per day. Cheaper tuition is also an attraction of online study, which has tons of free resources and relatively cheaply prices to pay for classes. Second, students can choose classes which suitable for them base on their needs and levels. As Eisenstein claimed, there is no doubt that many methods can attribute to and influence the second language acquisition and there is no one particular method effective competent in all kinds of second language class. It is really very hard to learn something if a student is unaccustomed to certain classrooms or certain teaching strategies. But if they can study online, they can choose their favorite from different types of classes. Third, online study could create a studying atmosphere, in which everyone can feel the relaxation and happiness. Base on the Affective Filter Hypothesis (Krashen, 1981), low anxiety would helpful for language learning. In my experience, I always feel more relax when I study Japanese online, and I think my online study is as effective as classroom study.
ReplyDeleteHowever, online study still has some flaws. As an online teacher and meanwhile an online student, I find the biggest challenge for online study is the sense of isolation when studying online. The relative distance between teachers and students (no matter time or space) makes it is different to build a study community and learning atmosphere. That is means students would fell lost during the non-verbally communicate. Therefore, we need discussion board and online language partners. As I talked about online language partners, I think that is one of the most benefits of livemocha.com. Every time when I finfish my writing and speaking recording, the system will help me to find some native speakers give me very useful comments.
About drawbacks of livemocha.com, I think the most uncomfortable to me is I need a vocabulary list to review. When I was taught Chinese, I made a vocabulary list to my students every lesson. That is very helpful to beginning learners to get familiar with the pronunciation and remember new words. And I felt sometimes I still the grammar study. Until now I haven’t found any instruct about Japanese words order and this really makes me confuse. I have to go to other website to study grammar, because basic grammar study is necessary for me. Fortunately, I can study grammar by use other website rescouse, which is also strength of online study.
I can think of many pros and cons of learning a language online. A negative aspect that has been clear to me during my Live Mocha session is the lose of face to face feedback, attention and interaction you can obtain at any moment during your onsite, face to face, traditional lesson.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand a positive aspect of learning via Live Mocha is that I literally can “hop” on the tool and learn the language at any time I want to, this I think is positive for the learner due to the fact that it is able to stimulate and capture a students momentum to learn.
Other disadvantages Live Mocha has is that students may lose motivation to continue their study in the language due to the fact that the tool does not commit the student in any way (monetary wise, academic wise, etc) to the program therefore risking completion.
Live Mocha has also surprised me in the sense that it has connected me to more native speakers that have given me good feedback in some cases. Live Mocha has made it easy for me to stay engaged in the lessons and to want to learn more. I do feel that Live Mocha lacks of opportunities to make live conversation which would generate meaningful learning and motivate/force me to learn more vocabulary. After analyzing and thinking of a few pros and cons I personally feel more comfortable learning a language in a classroom setting.
Ni Hao, LiveMocha does not offer Chinese. I have been using downloaded audio language lessons. First the Berlitz Method, and second Pimsleur's Method. I prefer Pimsleur's method because his method offers contextual conversations in a learning style which allows for optimal learning. His method uses what he calls a "rate of saturation" whereby by as the lessons progress, the learner practices new sentences using different combinations of the words learned in the unit. There is a progression from words to sentence structures, and much practice using question and answer scenarios. One pro of this method is the absence of affective filter. I can vocalize the new sounds without feeling shy. I've noticed that repeatedly hearing the sounds helps me to discern the correct sound, although it's not perfect by any means. In addition, I can adjust the volume and rate of speed of the speaker with the ipod. I can also practice many times during the week, and repeat/replay weak areas of learning. I can be less nervous when I practice my new lesson with classmates, Kathy and Shirley. I have already practiced my lesson with my neighbor, who can understand what I am trying to say. Listening to my speech, my neighbor then helps me hone my pronunciation. This leads to the downside of this method if you didn't have anyone to practice with, getting feedback on correct pronunciation would be a challenge until you use the language naturally. I prefer a classroom setting for learning languages for the following reason: contextual and meaningful language situations, shared learning, immediate feedback, and the ability to learn other language skills along with oral learning and practicing. Learning the read/write Chinese, especially Pinyin, the romanized Chinese would also be of help with pronunciation. For me, optimal learning comes through both methods, one reinforces the other.
ReplyDeleteI think studying a language online has more cons than pros.
ReplyDeleteCons- The biggest con is too much focus on audio/linguistic methods. What I mean is that sites like Live Mocha are too concerned with repeating the same patterns back. The learner does not get the option to practice different patterns of learned vocabulary(similar to Karen's explanation of "rate of Saturation" above) until the writing section which is very brief. I believe classroom learning allows a very high rate of saturation in which the learner has unlimited opportunities to create their own sentences with learned material. They do this through communicative learning.
Pros- I think the biggest pro to online language learning is flexibility to study the language at any time. For people that can't commit to specific times in a classroom this is a good solution. In addition the affective filter is very low in online learning. Stress, time crunches, and nerves are usually at a minimum while learning online. Live Mocha doesn't even have timed learning lessons or quizzes. With a low affective filter this can make learning much easier for some people.
I just completed my first live mocha lesson. I enjoyed how interactive it was. It reminded me of my Rosetta Stone disks, but added a bit more to these lessons, perhaps because I started at a more advanced level here. It was much more interesting than the verb book I have been working with. I was not expecting it to be as interactive as it was and was pleased to receive feedback from another member. This was both helpful and encouraging. Working in a classroom, you have the obvious benefit of direct work with a person who speaks the language that you learn, but unless you are receiving private lessons you have to share the teacher with other students. I enjoyed how focused the internet lesson was because I could go at my own pace and chose the lessons I wanted to focus on. The user feedback made the lesson more intimate for me too. One drawback to online learning is having to learn the technology along with the language. I suppose this can be a positive lesson as well, but it can slow the language learning a bit, when you have to try to figure out some of the technological aspects of computer based learning. I can not record the speaking part of my lesson. More time spend on figuring this out is less time learning Spanish!
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