5 Biggest Reasons to Sign Up Your Child for Online English Classes
Whether you are a new arrival in Australia or just need to help your children polish their English skills, there are many reasons to sign them up for online English tutors.
Here are the five biggest reasons to do so:
1. Learning English online is more convenient than attending brick-and-mortar schools.
You can study at your own pace, without having to worry about travelling to and from school. This is especially helpful for busy families or those who live in rural areas.
Australian regions where people have to travel great distances to reach the nearest school, such as the Northern Territory or Western Australia, can benefit greatly from online English classes. Not only do these classes save them time and money they would have otherwise invested in commuting but also offer tailor-made programs to match your learning pace and style.
Some students learn better when they can study at their own pace and revisit lessons as many times as they need. This is possible with online courses which offer recorded classes that you can access anytime, anywhere.
2. Online English classes offer a more flexible schedule.
Children have a lot on their plate these days, so it’s important to have a learning schedule that works around their commitments. With online classes, they can study at times that fit their availability.
This is perfect for families with shift-working parents or children who participate in after-school activities. Even if you do miss a class, you can always make it up by watching the recorded session.
Most online English classes also offer 24X7 support and active forums where you can ask questions and get help from fellow students and teachers for quick help.
3. You can choose from a wide range of online English courses.
Depending on your child’s needs, there are many different types of courses available by online tutoring services. This means you can find a program that fits your learning style and interests.
The popular English courses offered online include:
- Foundation English: These courses are designed for students who need to improve their grammar, spelling, and vocabulary according to Standard Australian English (SAE).
- Preliminary English: These courses help students develop their skills in reading, writing, and listening. Students learn to follow and understand simple directions, as well as to communicate in short sentences.
- General English: These courses are for students who want to improve their English for academic, personal, or professional purposes. Here, students learn about Australian culture and expand their vocabulary.
- ATAR English: These courses are for students who are preparing for their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Here, students learn how to close read, write analytical essays, and prepare for exams.
- English for Academic Purposes: These courses are for students who need to improve their English for university study in Australia. Students learn how to write essays, take notes, and participate in group discussions.
- English for Specific Purposes: These courses are for students who need to improve their English for a specific purpose, such as work or travel. Students learn vocabulary and phrases that are relevant to their chosen field.
- English Language Proficiency Exam Preparation (such as IELTS and TOEFL): These courses help students prepare for exams that are required for university study or immigration purposes. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. To prepare for these exams, students learn how to understand and respond to written and spoken English.
- English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D): These courses are for students who speak a language other than English at home. Students learn how to improve their English language skills, as well as understand Australian culture.
- English Teaching Courses (such as TESOL or EfTC): TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and EfTC is English for Teaching Children. These courses are meant for those who want to teach English in Australia or abroad. In these courses, students learn how to design lesson plans, assess student progress, and deal with common classroom issues.
- English Literature (including General and ATAR Courses): In these courses, students learn how to analyze and interpret literary texts. They also develop their writing skills by composing essays on the works they study.
and more.
4. Online English classes are often more affordable than traditional classes.
Native English teachers in Australia usually charge around $50 per hour. Online English classes, on the other hand, cost a fraction of that. This is because online English schools have lower overheads than brick-and-mortar schools. They don’t need to pay rent for physical space or instructors’ salaries. These savings are passed on to students in the form of lower tuition rates.
You also save money on fuel or transport, which can be a big chunk of your education costs, especially if you live in cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
5. Learning English online can be more fun and interactive than in traditional classes.
With online games, videos, and other engaging content, children are more likely to stay motivated and engaged in their studies. This can make the learning process more enjoyable for both them and you.
Online English classes these days focus on engaging students in the material through interactive activities. This makes the lessons more memorable and encourages students to use their new language skills outside of the classroom.
Short videos followed by quick questions, for example, are a great way to keep your child’s attention focused while they learn. And if they’re having fun, they’re more likely to want to continue learning English.
Signing up your child for online English classes is a great way to help them improve their language skills. With the lower costs, flexible schedule, and interactive learning, there are many advantages to taking classes online.
So what are you waiting for? Start your child’s journey to English fluency today!