10 Reasons Why You Should Take English Courses Online

When linguists debate which languages are the most spoken on Earth, they must consider several different factors. To begin with, they must determine what it means to truly know a tongue. Does it mean that you are completely fluent or that you simply understand bits and pieces?

If we go by the former criteria, Mandarin Chinese is easily the most widely-spoken language on Earth, since it has the most native speakers. But if we go by the latter, English would come out ahead, mostly because more people study it than any other tongue.  According to some estimates, as many as one billion people have taken English as a second language.

Growth potential

As the most popular foreign tongue the world over, English is the only language other than French that is spoken on 5 continents. Of course, it is far more popular and influential than French.  At last look, English was the official tongue of more than 50 nations and the de facto one of several others, including the U.S. and the U.K.  It is also the language of the internet and of business, which means its speakers will only grow in numbers in the coming years.

Where to study English

Until recently, if you wanted to learn the language, you had to attend traditional classes at colleges or language study centers.  But new technologies have given students the option of taking the same or similar classes on the internet.  What are the benefits?

1. More affordable

Because they don’t need to teach in an actual, physical classroom, instructors are able to save the company or institution of higher learning they work for money on overhead when they teach English courses online. They can then pass these savings along to their students, which may result in much lower class or tuition fees.

2. More convenient

Whatever the reason or excuse, most people who’ve ever attended any class anywhere have been tardy or late.  Since they are held online and you don’t have to dress up or travel to them, it’s obviously much easier to be on time to a virtual class. 

3. No need to travel

Expanding on our previous point, transportation costs can be prohibitive for students who do not live in close proximity to a local college or language center.  Even if they take public transportation, it can cost them a pretty penny on a monthly basis.

4. Saves time

For all of the reasons we’ve mentioned including travel time, dressing up, and lugging around books, the average student can save hours each week if they simply take English courses online, instead of in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom.

5. May be just as effective

To be sure, there are some subjects that require a student’s physical presence. You couldn’t properly learn how to dissect a frog or cook a chocolate soufflé without actually being in a laboratory or a kitchen.  But language is a different story because it does not require action and the internet is the greatest medium of communication the world has ever seen.

6. 24/7/365 Accessibility

One of the great things about the internet is that it never closes, and neither do most reputable online language websites. Most allow their students to review English courses online whenever they choose, including multimedia lessons, tutorials, and live classes.

7. Flexible schedules

When you sign up at an online English School, the schedules are rarely written in stone. In other words, you don’t have to take a scheduled class on the same days and times each week. Rather, you can select classes based on your experience level and weekly schedule. This makes things a heck of a lot easier on students who have full-time jobs that involve shift work.  

8. Trial lessons

Unlike most colleges and language centers, some online English schools offer free trials that generally last for a couple of weeks. These trial sessions may be just what you need to decide if learning a new tongue online is for you.

9. Learn from any location

Even when you’re away from home, you can attend online language classes if you can find a place that has wireless internet service, and it isn’t hard to do.  Libraries, fast food restaurants, even some coffee shops have free Wi-Fi that that their customers can use during normal hours of operation.

10. To meet new people

Even though you might not physically attend classes with them, many online language students make friends with their classmates and instructors.  Whether they choose to actually meet in the flesh is entirely up to them. 

How to Help Someone Choose an English Language Course

Do you have a friend or family member who wants to learn English or improve the English skills they already have? You can help that person find the best English learning course by knowing what factors go into top English courses. Not all English schools are alike, so it's essential to know what to look for. At Open English we offer English courses starting every day that can help a person become fluent in English in one year.

Online Schools Are Very Good

A few years ago, online English schools weren't that good. Many of the problems were related to inadequate technology. Now, however, with high-speed internet access more readily available, online schools can offer comprehensive multimedia lessons that benefit students by being engaging and relevant. Furthermore, students can complete lessons and ask for help around the clock. Online English courses are now made to be as convenient as possible.

Find Courses Taught By Native Speakers of English

An English learning course taught by people who speak English as a native language offers many advantages to the English language learner. Teachers who speak English as their first language can help students improve pronunciation and generally offer more advanced vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions. They also help English learners develop their "ear" for the English language as spoken in international media.

Choose Courses that Prepare Students for Fluency Exams

The best English classes online prepare students to take and pass well-known fluency exams. Passing fluency exams such as TOEIC and TOEFL opens up many opportunities, including higher education at English-speaking colleges and universities and jobs that are not available to non-fluent speakers. Speaking English fluently opens up the student's world to exciting new possibilities in education, careers, and travel.

Look for Courses that Offer Individual Attention

English courses that provide individual attention to students help students stick with their lessons when they're discouraged and help when students have difficulty with a particular skill. Just knowing that individual help is available is a tremendous advantage to the student learning to speak English. At Open English, we offer classes around the clock with native English-speaking teachers, plus individual attention and preparation for fluency exams.

Encouraging Friends or Family Who Want to Learn English

Aside from Mandarin, English is the language that is most widely spoken in the world. It is considered the international language of commerce, and is one of the top languages used in science and research the world over. If someone you love wants to learn English but thinks he or she is "too old" or "doesn't have time," let them know about exciting options for learning, like Open English, the online English school that is tailored to their needs.

Living and Working in an English-Speaking Country

Daily life in an English-speaking country is difficult if a person doesn't speak the language. Getting a job may be difficult or impossible, and often children are called upon to translate. Becoming fluent in English takes only a year with the right online English school, and it doesn't take long to learn basic English online that makes daily life easier.

Entertainment and Hobbies

Movie fans who learn English find that they enjoy their favorite Hollywood films more, because subtitles simply can't capture all the subtle nuances of English. Furthermore, countless websites are written in English, and knowing English helps the person interested in pursuing their favorite hobbies and finding people throughout the world who share their interests. Knowing English also allows people to effectively interact with more people online.

Travel Is More Enjoyable

English is spoken as a first or second language in many parts of the world. On every continent, English is widely spoken, and people who know English find that travel is much more enjoyable. Even if a person only wants to learn basic English online, he or she will find those skills to be very valuable during international travel, or when international visitors spend time in their location.

More Educational Opportunities Open Up to Them

When a person becomes fluent in English, they have countless new educational opportunities. Whether they want to attend college in an English-speaking country or take online classes from one of the many English language online course providers, knowing English provides great opportunities. At Open English, we love helping people broaden their horizons by learning English, and we can help your loved one gain fluency in one year.

The Four Pillars of English Language Fluency

Courses in English should focus on the four main skills necessary for English fluency: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. When you study English online with a respected language teaching program, you will build all these skills so that you can attain real fluency, opening up opportunities in education and employment. At Open English, we help you build on all four main skills as well as more detailed skills like grammar, pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary.

English Speaking Skills

The first time you speak to someone in a language that's not native to you can be a little scary. When you study English online, you can practice your speaking skills in an environment that is encouraging and supportive so you can gain confidence to speak English in everyday life. The best courses in English encourage you and help you work on your pronunciation so you communicate effectively through speech.

English Listening Skills

Developing an "ear" for language is important for learning new vocabulary and understanding native speakers with different accents. American English sounds different Australian or British English, but over time, you develop an ear for the language that allows you to understand a variety of different accents. Your English course should include listening exercises to increase your understanding of spoken English.

English Reading Skills     

Being able to read English is essential to performing well in an English speaking job or at an English speaking school. Look for an online English class that includes exercises in English reading comprehension. English reading skills reinforce your speaking and listening skills, and are the foundation for developing strong English writing skills. Practicing reading daily with newspapers, websites, and literature builds strong English comprehension.

English Writing Skills

Learning to write in English is the fourth major skill in developing English fluency. You will need good writing skills to succeed at an English speaking university or in a job that requires you to be fluent in English. The best online English courses encourage you and help you develop writing skills you can be proud of. At Open English, we help you build all fluency skills, in a supportive environment that shows you exactly how to achieve your fluency goals.

Improve English Skills and Succeed on Fluency Exams

If you know some English, you may have wondered how to learn English fluently. Knowing how to speak basic English is a terrific start, and with the proper instruction, you can improve your English skills rapidly. In fact, with a high quality online English instruction program, you can become fluent in a year. At Open English, we have the tools and instructors to help you gain fluency and pass fluency exams.

Expand on Basic Speaking and Listening Skills

If you know how to speak basic English from daily interactions or love for English speaking television and movies, you're already part of the way to developing fluency. Online English courses help you improve pronunciation, gain better listening skills, and extend your English knowledge to reading and writing in English with fluency. Don't ever think you're too old to become fluent in English.

Learn to Read and Write in English Skillfully

Reading and writing in English not only opens up a world of English language literature and reading material, it also reinforces your speaking and listening fluency. Trusted online English courses include lessons in reading and writing English so that you develop well-rounded skills and can use English effectively in any situation. Reading and writing lessons are reinforced through video and audio lessons and live conversations in English.

 

Consistent Practice Helps You Complete Lessons Promptly

 

When you commit to an online English program, working consistently day by day is far preferable to trying to cram several lessons into a short time. While online courses do allow flexibility as far as scheduling, your best approach is to try to set aside time every day or most days to work on your English lessons. This approach allows you to progress to fluency fastest.

 

Pass Fluency Exams and Change Your Life

 

Once you become fluent in English, you can take standard English fluency exams and pass them, which greatly increases your career and educational opportunities. People just like you discover how to learn English quickly with online courses, and there is no reason you can't do it. At Open English, we offer the specialized instruction and personal attention you need to be a successful fluent English speaker.

With Online Language Learning, the World Is Your Classroom

Have you considered taking classes in English but were unsure about the best way to do so? Even if you live near a university, traditional classroom instruction may not be ideal. But when you choose English classes online, your classes can be tailored to your schedule easily. At Open English, we've made it easy for thousands of students all over the world to learn English.

The Internet and Language Instruction

A generation ago, no one could have predicted how effective and convenient classes in English online could be. The internet lets you take advantage of a variety of lesson types, so that you can improve every aspect of your English competency, including pronunciation, listening skills, and reading and writing skills. Better still, you can schedule classes to accommodate your work schedule.

If You're Building on Previous Classroom Instruction

If you took English classes growing up, taking English classes online is the ideal way to build upon those skills and become fluent in English. The best online courses offer fluency guarantees and prepare you for commonly used English fluency tests that will help propel your career and educational goals. Once you're fluent in English, many new opportunities open up for you, both at the university level and in your career.

If You've Picked Up English through Daily Life

Many people pick up English skills in daily life dealing with English speakers, or through watching English speaking television programs and movies. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this. However, if you want to be genuinely fluent in English, you'll need to work on your reading and writing skills to develop all-around fluency. Online English courses are the perfect way to take the English you've picked up and turn it into English fluency.

Take Your English Competency to the Next Level

Becoming fluent in English and demonstrating this through various fluency tests is a great accomplishment. It can improve your career, educational, and travel experiences, opening up a whole new world to you. At Open English, our dedicated instructors and personal language coaches are there with you at every step, helping you take your English skills to the next level, which is total fluency!

Online English Classes Strengthen Spoken and Written English Skills

In an online English virtual classroom, you can strengthen both spoken and written English skills, and develop a better "ear" for understanding spoken English. In fact, you can achieve English fluency through online courses in only a year. Many fluent English speakers learned by taking English classes online and so can you. At Open English, we offer new courses starting daily and can help you achieve English fluency in twelve months.

Online Classes Prepare You for Academic Coursework in English

The English virtual classroom helps prepare you to take academic coursework in English at the university level by helping you gain the English skills necessary to pass important fluency exams like IELTS. Speaking English can allow you to take your education further than you ever thought possible and help you fulfill career and other life goals.

Online Classes Cause Minimal Disruption to Your Schedule

One of the main reasons that online English classes are so popular is that they can be worked around any schedule, no matter what time zone you live in. As long as you have access to an internet connection, you have access to online English courses. When you take English classes online, you can choose a self-paced or fixed class, and you will learn using video, audio, reading, writing, and pronunciation practice.

Start at Any Time

Unlike with community-based English classes, you can start an online English class at any time, without waiting for the start of a new semester. That means that starting today, you could be improving your English skills and be a small step closer to fulfilling your goals. Learning English opens up the world to you, because English is spoken as a first or second language in so many regions.

From "Good Enough" English to Fluency

Maybe you know just enough English to be able to hold basic conversations and make ordinary business transactions in English. But if you become fluent in English, you broaden your horizons. You could choose to take classes at an English-speaking university, or you could apply for a job that requires English fluency. At Open English, we can help you become a fluent English speaker in only one year.