You decide to take a free English class online. Is it really free? More importantly, how will you know if what you’re learning is what you need to know?
if you mean, will it cost you money, then the answer is yes. But, does it mean there is no price to pay?
The answer is no.
The answer to the second question is, maybe you will and maybe you won’t.
There are many choices available and everyone learns differently. The real questions should be, will it work for you and how will you know?
What Should You Look For?
Assuming you’re a beginner, the first thing you should probably want to know is what language the instruction is in. If it’s in English, will you be able to understand what is being taught?
Is translation offered?
Will a human teacher be involved or is everything computer and/or text based material?
Is there a way for you to check to see if your work is done correctly? If so, is there feedback about what you need to do to correct your mistakes?
It’s probably a good idea to find out what free really means. Will it always be no cost to you or is it simply an introductory offer to get you started and then you have to pay at some point?
If you’re satisfied with the answers you get from the above questions, from there you need to know what will be taught.
- Will it include conversation?
- Will it include grammar?
- Will it include interaction with other students?
Here Are Some Suggestions
Depending on where you live, it’s possible that there is an adult education facility nearby that offers free classes either in person, online, or both.
Where I live, in California, those classes are generally free and are taught by a state-certified and qualified, live teacher.
In fact, I am one of those teachers.
Some of the resources I use that are available to everyone for free are:
I like them because I can direct the instruction but students are free to do their own thing if they choose to.
To use each of those resources, you need to sign up for a free account by using a valid email address.
Two others that I know of that are very good, although I don’t use them in my class because I am not able to direct the instruction are:
There are many others as well but I have no first-hand experience with any others at this time.
I suggest that you try all of them to see for yourself if and how they might work for you.
Additionally, this website, the one you’re on right now, has a lot of free information that you will find useful.
Although there are no classes scheduled at the moment, they are forthcoming and I hope you will consider using this website and me as a resource for your English learning.
You Are The Missing Link
That’s right. You’re the link. No matter how you learn, who you learn it from, or if it cost you money to learn or not, you have to do the work and you need to constantly practice.
It is not and will not be easy but you can do it if you’re willing to pay the price, not with your money, but with your time.
The best teacher in the world can only teach you what you’re able to learn and what you’re willing to do in order to learn.
It really is that simple.
Let’s face it, learning any new language, especially English, is difficult. The older you are when you begin, the more set in your ways you are and probably the more difficult it will be.
I’m not trying to scare anyone. I’m simply telling it like it is.
The thing that makes English most difficult is the fact that its origins and influences are rooted in so many other languages. There are countless exceptions and variations to most all the rules you will learn. That makes it very confusing.
Watch the YouTube video of a comedian making fun of the English language because of all it’s oddities.
As a teacher, I observe students and how they interact with the material and subject matter that I teach. I also watch how students interact with one another.
What I find interesting, if not troubling, is how often students speak in the native/first language in an English class.
I understand they are not fluent in English and feel more comfortable speaking a language they know. It’s okay to do that to some extent, but only to the extent that they use their native language to help them learn English.
That’s why I advocate for using Google Translate for beginners.
A translator is like the training wheels for learning to ride a bicycle. They are meant to get you started. They’re not meant to be depended on indefinitely
To learn a new language, especially English, students need to immerse themselves in as much English as possible as often and as much as possible.
I hope you understand that.
What Is The Best Path?
Unfortunately, nobody, me included,
can answer that for you. I’m happy to provide as much insight as possible but everyone is different and people need to learn in whatever way is best for them.
If you can learn without spending money, I applaud you.
If you can teach yourself, without the aid of a teacher, great.
If you need to spend money and/or if you need the help of a teacher, then that’s what you’ll need to do.
I’m here if you need me. There are many others as well.
I will say that the best place to start is at the beginning.
From my point of view, that means:
- Learn the English alphabet
- Learn how to pronounce each letter
- Learn the different ways to pronounce each letter
- Learn which letters are the vowels
- Learn at least one word that begins with each letter of the alphabet
- Learn to count to 100 in English
- Learn how to say your name and where you are from in English
- Learn how to use a translator
- Learn one new thing each day
- Watch television in English
- Practice what you learn every day
Conclusion
Take a free English class online or pay for it, whatever works best for you.
Whether you pay with your money or not, you will need to pay with your time-lots of it.
You are the key to your success. If you can be successful on your own, good for you. If you need the help of a teacher or someone else, then that’s what you need to do.
There are no excuses. You need to do the work if you want results.
Leave comments and questions in the comments section below. I will promptly reply.
Hey, I think free online English classes are a fantastic resource, and I like the conversational aspect making them especially effective for practical language skills. It’s a language you got to be able to speak as well as read and write
I think learning English is still very valuable today, because it’s spoken every where in the world. ( at least business wise). So if you don’t know it your losing the potential to make money. So good you can learn online for free. have a good one
Hi Jake. Thanks for your comments. Yes, you are absolutely correct. In today’s world, knowing English is vital. It has become the international language and it’s spoken everywhere in the world as you pointed out.
I teach all aspects of English, which includes speaking, reading, writing, and listening, mixed in with vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation and more.
Leave questions and comments here any time. I will promptly reply.
KBob