akamonkai_online Many of you may be wondering whether to study Japanese ‘online’, or in an ‘offline
, face-to-face environment.
This article will explain the characteristics of online and face-to-face Japanese lessons, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Online Japanese Lessons
Online Japanese lessons is a method of learning Japanese that is provided via the Internet. Students learn while communicating with their instructors in real time through video calls and dedicated educational platforms. They can also utilize recorded lessons and interactive learning materials. A key feature of online Japanese lessons is that it allows for flexible learning regardless of location.
Face-to-Face Japanese Lessons
Face-to-face Japanese lessons are the exact opposite of online Japanese lessons: a method of learning Japanese in which students and instructors meet face-to-face in the same physical space. These lessons are generally conducted in classrooms, cafes, or homes. This provides a more interactive learning experience as students are able to receive direct instruction and immediate feedback from their instructor. Group and one-on-one face-to-face lessons also exist.
5 Advantages of Online Japanese Lessons
The 5 main advantages of online Japanese lessons are as follows:
- Flexible scheduling
- Flexible locations
- Diverse resources
- Wide range of instructor options
- Low cost
Each of these advantages will be explained below.
- Flexible scheduling
The ability to set lesson dates and times at the student’s own convenience makes it easy for busy people to continue learning. In particular, the ability to adjust study times to fit your work and family engagements is a big advantage.
- Flexible locations
Students can take lessons from anywhere as long as they have access to the internet. You can study at home, in cafes, or even on vacation, saving you travel time and transportation costs.
- Diverse resources
Students can access a variety of learning resources, including video, audio, and interactive learning materials. This allows online learning to accommodate various learning styles, enabling you to learn efficiently.
- Wide range of instructor options
As students can choose from instructors from all around the world, it is easy to find the right instructor for yourself. In particular, you can take lessons with native speakers, allowing you to learn realistic Japanese.
- Low cost
Compared to face-to-face lessons, there are many companies and services that charge lower lesson fees, reducing students’ financial burden. In particular, transportation and learning material fees are often not required, reducing the overall cost of learning. This is important for long-term learning, as it takes time to learn a language.
3 Disdvantages of Online Japanese Lessons
The 3 main disadvantages of online Japanese lessons are as follows:
- Need for self-discipline
- Lack of face-to-face communication
- Technical problems
Each of these disadvantages will be explained below.
- Difficulty in maintaining self-discipline
Online learning requires self-discipline, and as a result, it can be difficult to stay motivated. Students will need to have a strong will to keep learning in a systematic manner.
- Lack of face-to-face communication
Since there is no actual face-to-face communication, it can be difficult to improve communication skills. In particular, it may be easier to learn pronunciation, nuances of expression, and gestures in a face-to-face setting.
- Technical problems
Students may encounter problems with their internet connection or technical issues with the platform they use. This means that there is a risk of their learning being disrupted.
3 Advantages of Face-to-Face Japanese Lessons
The 3 main advantages of face-to-face Japanese lessons are as follows:
- Direct feedback
- Making friends
- Conducive learning environments
Each of these advantages will be explained below.
- Direct feedback
Receiving direct feedback from their instructor allows students to receive corrections and advice immediately. This makes it easier to learn accurate pronunciations and expressions. This more interactive approach helps students improve their practical communication skills. You can learn realistic Japanese through natural conversation that includes body language and facial expressions.
- Making friends
As face-to-face lessons are real-life gatherings of people with the same goals and challenges, there is the possibility for students to make friends with whom they can relate. Students can encourage each other to work towards common goals and motivate each other to learn, which helps to sustain long-term learning.
- Conducive learning environments
Students can concentrate in classrooms, cafes, or other environments conducive to learning, helping to improve their learning efficiency. In particular, group lessons with other students help to increase competitiveness and solidarity.
3 Disadvantages of Face-to-Face Japanese Lessons
The 3 main disadvantages of face-to-face Japanese lessons are as follows:
- Fixed schedules
- Travel time and costs
- Limited choice of instructors
Each of these disadvantages will be explained below.
① Fixed schedules
Lesson dates and times are fixed and may not offer flexibility in some cases. It may also be difficult for students to coordinate lessons with work and family engagements, which may make it difficult for them to participate.
② Travel time and costs
Students have to spend time and money to travel to their classroom or other designated location. This is especially burdensome if the location is far away, or if transportation options are limited.
③ Limited choice of instructors
Geographical restrictions limit the number of instructors that students can select from. It can be difficult to take quality lessons, especially in areas where there are few instructors who are native speakers.
4 points to consider when choosing between online and face-to-face Japanese lessons
In order to choose the learning method that is right to you, it is important to consider the following 4 points:
① Learning goals
The best learning method for you depends on the type of skills you wish to acquire. For example, if you want to focus on practical conversational skills, face-to-face lessons are effective.
② Lifestyle
Determine whether online or face-to-face lessons are better suited to your lifestyle, taking into account scheduling flexibility and constraints with regards to study locations.
③ Budget
Cost is also a factor that needs to be taken into account. Online lessons are often more affordable, but face-to-face lessons offer the advantages of direct instruction and a learning environment.
④ Learning style
Choose the learning method that best suits your learning style. If you have strong self-discipline, online lessons may be right for you; however, if you are not good at planning, you may be better suited to face-to-face lessons.
Summary of the differences between online and face-to-face Japanese lessons
Both online and face-to-face Japanese lessons come with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Online lessons are attractive because of the flexibility they offer, as well as the variety of resources available, while face-to-face lessons have the advantages of allowing students to learn interactively and receive direct feedback. Choose the learning method that best suits your learning goals and lifestyle to learn Japanese effectively. You can also consider combining both methods to create an optimal learning environment.