March 1, 2023 by J.A. García Learning Strategies 0 comments

Are Online Spanish Classes the Future of Language Learning?

Have you ever wondered about the future of languages?

Until three years ago, face-to-face teaching was the most common method used in schools and universities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced teachers to make dramatic changes on the fly. It continues to change our lives dramatically!

But has online teaching changed the future of language learning? Are online environments as effective as physical classrooms?

Let’s find out together!

Online Classes vs Traditional Language Learning Methods

According to the University of Oxford, students who learn using online platforms get more benefits than those who attend a physical classroom. Other benefits include less or no time con traffic, lower tuition, etc.

But let’s dig deeper.

Here’s a glance at the differences between online and traditional learning in language schools:

	Online classes	Traditional classes
Telecommuting vs commuting	You save time and money because you don’t need to drive back and forth to a brick-and-mortar location.	You need to travel to and from your school, which adds miles to your vehicle and takes time out of your schedule. Not to mention the cost of fuel if you use your own car, or bus fares if you use public transportation.
Flexibility vs strict schedules	Self-paced study means you set your own schedule and work around your needs.	Strict class times and less flexibility.
24/7 access vs limited access	You can access your classes anytime and from anywhere in the world as long as you have wi-fi access.	Rigid time frames for you to attend class and limited resources.
Access for people with disabilities	People with disabilities can easily access classrooms if they only need a computer and access to wi-fi.	Some schools and universities are still unavailable for people with disabilities.
Cost	Online degrees tend to be more affordable than traditional education.	Higher tuition rates and costly physical textbooks.

As you can see, online learning is more flexible, innovative, and modern than traditional classroom learning. Are you not convinced? Hang in there.

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Online Spanish Language Courses Are the Future

One of the most important elements of any learning experience is interaction with others, and technology has changed this.

Students no longer must be tied to a classroom. Anywhere can be your classroom.

You don’t even need a computer nowadays! You can access online courses from a tablet or even your cell phone. Take that, traditional education!

Next, according to Meticulous Research, the online language-learning market is expected to reach $31.81 billion between 2022 and 2029. Online tutors are and will be very much in demand. Job opportunities, anyone?

Also, Spanish speakers are growing fast, and with over 52 million native Spanish speakers in the United States in 2021, the US will become the second-largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world.

Additionally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050, the country will have nearly 138 million Spanish speakers.

The future of Spanish seems promising, right?

More and more people around the world want to learn Spanish for various reasons. Some want to travel. Others just want to watch movies in Spanish.

But the truth is, being bilingual looks amazing on your CV, can open a lot of doors, get you into lots of jobs, and even allow you to study abroad.

So, don’t give up on your daily lessons, and keep ahead!

Recommended reading: 12 Ways Hispanic Culture Is Changing America

Online Spanish Classes: Platforms and Approaches

Technology is your greatest ally to make e-learning more meaningful.

Apps, websites, and even eBooks have made their way into Spanish learning classes.

Duolingo, for example, can help you improve your Spanish skills using fun games.

If you’re looking for more specialized Spanish learning, subscribe to Live Lingua and broaden your vocabulary with lessons on medicine, business, and more.

But maybe you’re looking for personalized online courses to learn Spanish. Then Homeschool Spanish Academy is for you!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Spanish Classes

When it comes to online learning, people always look for the cheapest option. But it’s also important to look at the technical and educational benefits of e-learning.

Here’s a look at some of the advantages of online learning, according to Shift Learning:

E-Learning increases retention rates by up to 25-60%; retention rates of face-to-face learning are approximately 8-10%
A study published by Open University found that producing and providing e-learning courses consumes an average of 90% less energy than in-site learning
Since 2000, the growth of the e-learning industry has been over 900%

Additionally, Gladis Galvez, from Brigham Young University in Utah, wrote that students who use online learning platforms are more likely to be successful later in life.

Flexibility is also a significant advantage of online learning.

Online tutors can simply record a lesson and upload it to Google Drive or YouTube, and students can access it anytime, anywhere, and from any device.

Also, we think that one of the best advantages of online learning is sharing with people from all over the world.

Imagine talking with people from Mexico, South Africa, or Spain!

Their unique perspectives and life experiences will make classes more dynamic and interesting. Traditional learning will never achieve such diversity!

But it’s not all roses when it comes to online learning.

According to the UN, over 2.9 billion people around the world have no access to the internet. That means that over 37% of the world’s population is still offline.

Not only that. Imagine that you’re in class, and suddenly there’s a power failure. Unless you have a generator, you’re out until the power comes back.

Unfortunately, online learning is tied to our technological capabilities. Regardless, we still think that online classes are here to stay!

You might like: 6 Homeschooling Methods You Need to Know About

Online Learning is the Future

Every year, we see how technology takes giant steps. Sometimes we feel like we’re living in a sci-fi film!

At the beginning of 2023, artificial intelligence software found its way into our daily lives, and perhaps soon it will be a vital part of our classes.

These are some of the elements of online learning that are already part of our day-to-day lives, and we expect to see them more often:

Language learning platforms with immersive technology that even blends virtual reality
The opportunity for students to engage in real-life situations from home using images, sounds, writing, and interactive games
Data could become the basis for building increasingly sophisticated and personalized language learning strategies

One of the challenges that online education faces is the need to ensure that learning platforms are available for students and educators.

Online learners can also have problems like not being motivated, having technical problems, feeling lonely, being distracted, or putting things off.

Success Stories

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we’re experts on online learning. But don’t take it from us. Here you can see what some of our students have said about us:

Talitha Parsons: Extremely affordable for 1-on-1 tutoring with a native Spanish speaker! The teachers are kind, patient, and very good at working with my 8-year-old daughter. She’s still very shy about using her Spanish skills in the real world, but she knows it, and her vocabulary is better than mine at this point!

Candice Empey: It is affordable, and you can’t beat learning from a native-speaker teacher. The curriculum is well-paced. We use the same teacher each time, and she is wonderful. I also like how I can change my lesson time if needed.

Angela Maher: I’ve found HSA classes to be superior to traditional Spanish courses in developing speaking ability, which has been great for my students. I would tell them that this has been a superior way to learn Spanish in our homeschool due to the structured curriculum that works well, schedule flexibility, and development of speaking proficiency.

So, what are you waiting for?

Learn Spanish Anytime, Anywhere!

Today we learned that the hour, place, device, or location are of no importance if you want to learn! And if you want to learn Spanish from the comfort of your home, we’re here to help!

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, you can get online, flexible, and individualized sessions with our certified, native-speaking teachers.

Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs. Sign up for a free trial class today!

See you in class! Our online class, that is.

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Want to learn more about online classes? Check out these blogs:

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J.A. García

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I am a Guatemalan bilingual fiction writer, translator, and journalist. In my spare time I like to read, play video games, and do sports. I’m a fan of historical fiction, family sagas, and graphic novels. I’m left-handed, a failed drummer, an amateur goalkeeper, and I drive a 1988 Subaru J10.