The online classroom is here to stay. Here’s why.

For many people, face-to-face teaching is the best way to learn almost anything, especially languages. Obviously, it has many advantages. Since the Corona-lockdown though, things have changed dramatically. So, what happens once the lockdown is over? Will we all go back to in-person training?

The answer appears to be no. Why? Because Corona has not just interrupted the physical classroom, it has changed the rules. How? Businesses have realized that training in person requires meeting rooms, flipcharts, whiteboards and projectors, all of which are expensive. Interestingly, virtual training was becoming popular even before COVID. After lockdown it just accelerated.

So, what are the benefits of this type of classroom? Here are just a few:

1. If you are working from home, no need to travel or find a meeting room. Once you have a PC, a good internet connection and set of headphones, you are ready to go.

2. Online teaching makes it easier to use a variety of media – think Wikipedia, Google Earth, TED, YouTube – as it already comes with media included. No time is wasted on setting up projectors, cables, internet passwords.

3. If you Zoom, as John does, language practice and correction are no problem. In many ways it becomes easier. The Screenshare function, Chatbox and Breakout Rooms are fantastic tools that make learning online both personalized and interactive.

If learning online is new and strange, just dive in. It really is learning by doing, as they say. How long it will take to get back to “normal” after Corona we can’t say. But one thing we can be sure about is that online training is here to stay.