10 questions to ask when selecting effective online language learning solutions

With so many online language courses available nowadays, how can training managers or directors of human resources decide which course will be the most effective for their organisation? Here are some essential questions to ask to ensure you select the right solution to meet your needs. Continue reading

What is functional language?

Functional language is language that you need in different day-to-day situations. For example: greeting, introducing yourself, asking for or giving advice, explaining rules, apologising, or agreeing and disagreeing. Any one of these functions can have a number of different exponents, or fixed expressions. For example, giving advice we could say: Continue reading

What are language “skills”?

Skills relate to different aspects of using language; such as listening, reading, writing or speaking. Skills are our ability to do these things. They are usually divided into two types: receptive and productive. Continue reading

What is task-based language learning?

task-based learning image

Task-based language learning is an approach where the planning of learning materials and teaching sessions are based around doing a task. In education, a task refers to an activity where communication is necessary: for example; deciding something, solving a problem, designing or organising something, or Continue reading

What is a flipped classroom and what is a blended learning course?

flipped classroom image

You’ve probably heard of the terms “flipped classroom” and “blended learning course” in the context of online learning, but what do they really mean? Are they the same? Are they different and, if so, how? Continue reading

Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to this Online Language Learning blog, produced by Net Languages.

The aim of this blog is to provide useful information on effective online language learning to training managers, pedagogical directors, directors of studies, academic directors, programme coordinators, teachers and learners in general.

To do this we will be writing about buzzwords, trends and features of online language learning, drawing on our many years of experience working in this highly specialised and fast-moving area of education.

We’ll be looking at effective exercise and course design as well as writing about key concepts, methodologies and approaches – like flipped classrooms, flash cards and inductive learning – and how they affect the learning experience.

We aim to do this in a practical, concise and informative way.

Read the blog posts to reflect on and learn about online language learning and how it can work for you.