6 ways to improve language learning ONLINE

PDFs, Screenshots, Downloading list of verbs, redemittel, vocabulary, watching videos, Google docs, apps, daily targets of new words, translators, digital dictionaries ….. phewww…… and still the level of language is not up to the mark!

What went wrong? There is material available, easy access to everything necessary. Then where does the problem lie? 

According to an observation the problem is that all the knowledge is now, more on our devices than in our brains. A very tiny example to prove this : Previously all of us knew at least 15 phone numbers by heart. But now sometimes we forget our own phone numbers too. Have we become too lazy to memorize them? Maybe! We know there is some device that will do it for us. 

Laziness is observed in so many other situations, in this case while learning a new language. 

I am sure many people who have learned a new language 10 years ago would agree with what I am about to say. Learning language then was fun as well as challenging because we had less resources and we had to learn as much as we could in the given limited options. Learning language then was more of using our body, including our hands to write in a physical book, legs to go to a library to find a reference book, mouth to actually talk to someone and our brain to memorize the words or the grammar rules.

But talking about “hamare zamaane ki baatein” does not help, so what measures can you take to make your ONLINE language learning better and more fruitful.

Here are some tips :

1. Keep your cameras in an online class always ON. This will help you from getting distracted, because you know someone is always watching you.  
2. Make sure you have your learning materials handy, preferably a physical textbook and workbook. Avoid learning from PDFs, because later every time you need any help, you might have to start your laptop or phone which is naturally a treasure of distractions. (It’s like you wanted to see the time, but spent an hour scrolling mindlessly).
3. Always have a notebook, pen and pencil to write down the notes given by the trainer. 
4. Clear your doubts with the trainer immediately, don’t wait for her/him to ask you.
5. Sit in a place that will allow you to concentrate only on your class and not get distracted. 
6. Homework is important, online or offline. (nothing beats this).

Hope these tips help you. If you still find it difficult to concentrate, feel free to contact us at lingothoughtsravet@gmail.com.