Is learning English on Skype effective? Online English courses from Skype-Language
Today, there are such a huge number of various schools that provide the opportunity to learn English on Skype, which makes it almost impossible to make the right choice. Some institutions have a reputation and a broader training system, but the cost of their services cannot be called democratic. For others, the cost per study is much lower, but there is a risk of getting low quality services. Therefore, in order to exclude possible risks for you, as well as save time, the portal site presents the first objective rating of the best online English courses.
Learn English on Skype: Pros and Cons
Today, Skype, as a means of communication, is no longer something exotic. Like any other method, learning English on Skype has its pros and cons. But since this method quickly turned into an unusual one from an unusual one, most people find themselves at a crossroads, choosing between online and offline activities. In order to help you make the final decision, we will consider all the advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of Online Learning
- Save time and money - The quality of training depends entirely on the teacher. But renting a room more than doubles the cost of classes. Also included are book purchases, printouts of handouts, transportation, lunch, and other household items. Training on Skype, with electronic training materials, removes all these costs, as well as time costs for travel.
- Convenience and practicality - Skype study is especially suitable for people who do not like to leave home or are extremely busy with business, as well as those who do not live according to standard schedules. Now there is no need to stand in traffic jams, jostle in public transport, overcome snow blockages or wild heat. In the office, at home, in the country and in any other place, according to your own schedule, you can conduct classes with the teacher you like. Even night owl people can find a teacher or native speaker on another continent with a suitable time zone for training.
- Extensive learning opportunities - unlike the classroom, during the training on Skype, you personally choose your teacher. You can also learn from a person with a pronunciation that interests you, common, for example, in a particular region of the UK or a particular state of America.
But in itself the colloquial form of training used on Skype is much more effective for mastering the language than the classical memorization of rules.
Disadvantages of Skype Training
- Extremely fast internet required
- Minimum knowledge of using a computer
- The possibility of personal contact is excluded
- When teaching children online, the teacher will not always be able to control their perseverance.
Where to start online learning English
Are you interested in learning English online? Then consider what it is worth starting the training with. The portal ranking shows the best schools that were selected for certain indicators. But in order not to spend a lot of time choosing, initially it is worth looking at the indicated cost of training and ongoing programs. Having chosen the option of interest, it makes sense to visit the site of the school itself.
Distance learning is gaining in popularity, and learning foreign languages \u200b\u200bvia Skype (Skype) has long been a rarity. There are many centers, schools, private tutors and specialists who provide this service for everyone who wants to learn Italian German, French and other languages, but English is the most popular language among students.
Online classes allow you to learn English with a specialist, being anywhere in the world. To get a lesson, there is no need to go somewhere, just sit down at a computer with Internet access and turn on Skype. Of course, classes with professionals are not free, but some tutors provide the opportunity to take a free trial lesson so that the student can be sure of the quality of the services provided. Let's review the most popular services for learning English online.
About school:
The distance learning English language school on Skype Go-international is aimed at different target audiences. In particular, individual language and speech training is offered in the following programs: preparation for moving abroad, improving the level of speaking and English for professional activities, passing international exams (FCE, CAE, ELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, ILEC, ICFE), etc. e. The quality of the lessons is guaranteed by teachers with extensive experience. Skype English at Go-international Cost of education:At the Go-international online school, prices are relatively affordable, when paying for packages of 5 or more lessons, the cost of one lesson varies from 565 to 695 rubles, depending on the chosen program and the number of lessons in the package. Each Skype lecture lasts 45 minutes.
Pros:
- Free material provided
- Free demo lesson (45 min.) With a teacher
- The opportunity to get a discount on the “Bring Friends and Get Free Lessons!”
- Professional preparation for international exams
- Individual approach to each student
- Quality control of school teachers.
Minuses:
- Payment for classes is carried out only in packages (5, 10, 15 and 20 lectures)
Reviews:
On the school's website you can find many reviews of real students about highly professional teachers. Grateful students are pleased with the preparation for international exams and the increase in language level after completing the course. Judging by the reviews, Go-international's narrow specialization only benefits schools and students. This online service is often recommended to friends.
« Dmitry: Everything suits me. The coordinator responds quickly. Everything is very clearly worked out ... So far, except for the pluses, there is nothing to say. ”
Contacts:
Wrabbit
The online language school Wrabbit offers private lessons on Skype with professional Russian-language tutors - for beginners or native speakers - for those who already speak basic vocabulary. Various corporate and group training programs are also offered. In addition to English, you can study Spanish, German, Italian and French. The Wrabbit service helps students break the language barrier and improve conversational speech.
Cost of education:
In this online school, tuition prices are also quite reasonable from 500 rubles per 1 lesson. So, a lesson with a Russian-speaking teacher will cost 500–550 rubles, and with a professional native speaker - from 600 rubles per lesson. The price also depends on the duration of the lesson - 45 and 60 minutes.
Pros:
- Free trial lesson
- Large selection of native tutors
- Reasonable prices
- A variety of payment methods
- Good lesson planning system.
Minuses:
- A small selection of Russian-speaking teachers
Reviews:
Unfortunately, there are very few reviews about Wrabbit on independent resources on the Internet, however, on the school’s website you can easily find many reviews from grateful students who can be contacted and learned firsthand.
victoria vydrina: « When a teacher finds an individual approach to a student, it is very valuable when he carefully creates a teaching system for him - it’s professional, and when with a sense of humor - it’s also easy and fun. ”
Contacts:
Ninel
Ninnel Language Distance School has been providing individual online foreign language teaching services on Skype for 6 years: English, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. During this time, over 2,000 students successfully learned, without leaving home, languages \u200b\u200bfor living or conducting professional activities abroad, passed the international examinations IELTS and TOEFL, learned a foreign language for self-development. Teaching is conducted exclusively by professionals in their field, including educators working with children. Ninnel online language school Cost of education:
Ninnel School charges a fee of 1 lesson. The cost of one lesson is from 560 rubles for 1 lesson lasting 50 minutes, and from 800 rubles for a lesson lasting 80 minutes. The price also depends on the language level: beginner, intermediate, advanced or with a carrier. A family discount of 5% is provided, and a discount on long-term studies of 3% -5%.
Pros:
- Possibility of overtime payment - from 1 lesson
- Free demo lesson
- Reasonable prices
- The ability to learn languages \u200b\u200bby children
- You can return the money if the result is not achieved.
- Classes with Russian-speaking tutors and native speakers.
Minuses:
- Small selection of native teachers
- A certificate is not issued at the end of the course.
Reviews:
You can easily find a lot of positive reviews about Ninnel on the Internet on independent resources, but not only text messages from grateful students are available on the school's website, but also video reviews, as well as a detailed description of how it all began and what the result was.
Irina “I study German with Elena Otsareva, I am very pleased with the results, after 9 lessons (2 times a week) I can already maintain a conversation on some topics, I understand questions and answers by ear.”
Contacts:
The Melene Skype Language Center for Foreign Languages \u200b\u200bspecializes in one-to-one online tutoring with professional tutors in 5 main areas: English, Italian, Spanish, German, and French. Teaching is possible at any time convenient for the student. The teaching staff, in addition to Russian-speaking specialists, also includes tutors of native speakers. The training is conducted at all levels, from elementary to the highest, as well as preparations for the international exams IELTS, ILEC and TOEFL, Start Deutsch 1 and 2 levels, TestDaF, DELF and DALF, DELE, CILS. 
Melene Foreign Language School via Skype Cost of education:
The price for one 45-minute entry-level lesson is from 530 rubles. For a 60-minute lesson you will have to pay 630 rubles if you pay a package for 10 lessons, and for intermediate and advanced levels - already 730 rubles. A lesson lasting 90 minutes will cost less than two for 45 minutes each.
Pros:
- Possibility of overtime payment - from 1 lesson
- Paid lessons do not burn out over time
- Preparation for different language levels and international exams
- Huge selection of teachers - about 50 tutors
- Convenient payment system.
Minuses:
- No group classes
- High cost of classes with carriers.
Reviews:
This is the only language center that has no negative reviews on the Internet. All students are satisfied with the results and do not regret the money spent. Judging by the reviews, all the stated conditions are strictly fulfilled. A great school with which to start learning English or other languages.
Andrey: “It's great that I am studying at your school!” The payment system is convenient and thought out. I don’t have to buy packages. ”
Anastasia: “Natalia is a wonderful English teacher who knows how to find an approach to her students and make classes not only interesting, but also effective. For 2.5 months, she prepared me for IELTS, which I successfully passed on 7. Thank you! ”
Video calling has long ceased to be a curiosity, and now it has become commonplace to study English not only in courses, but also via Skype. I have a lot of experience in learning English with Skype. Moreover, it was when I started practicing English on skype that I was able to get off the ground where I was stuck at that time. The reason, of course, was not some Skype program magic, but a conversational practice that I lacked. Well, lucky with the teacher. Later, I no longer studied with the teacher, but simply practiced speaking, and also conducted the lessons several times myself.
In this article I will talk about online learning English, talking about Skype and how an English teacher put a Skype experiment on me.
My first Skype English lesson
Note: I write “skype” with a small letter, meaning any program similar to Skype: with the possibility of free audio and video calls over the Internet.
Conversational practice classes
The second format of classes is suitable for students who, in general, do not need to study under the guidance of a teacher, but need help with the development of speaking skills, with pronunciation and general literacy. They already know at least the basics of grammar, the vocabulary is sufficient for the lesson to be completely in English, but they speak with long pauses, frequent mistakes, and have difficulty constructing phrases.
The teacher turns less to the textbook, classes take place with the active involvement of the student in the conversation. My first Skype lesson, described above, was held in this format. We never looked into the textbook, but the benefits of just one lesson were enormous.
In this case, it is better to deal with a native speaker. An active, conversational format of lessons is the “hobbyhorse” of a world-famous language site designed to search for teachers of foreign languages \u200b\u200b(not only English) and partners for practice. At Italki, teachers fall into two categories:
- Professional teachers - These are certified specialists with extensive experience offline and online language teaching. You can deal with them both in colloquial format and in a rigorous academic format. The latter is familiar to them well: many of them are university teachers.
- Tutors - Amateur teachers without a linguistic diploma (as a rule) who will help you to talk, point out errors, help to enhance conversational skills.
As a rule, “tutors” prices are lower. Despite the lack of a specialized diploma, they are sometimes more experienced and simply more interesting than certified colleagues. Unlike many online English schools, italki allows you to pay for lessons one at a time, rather than in packages. The calculation is carried out in the special currency of the ITC website (italki credits), 100 ITC are equal to 10 dollars.
Pros and cons of learning English on Skype with a teacher
Advantages:
- No need to go anywhere, ride. Classes right at home at a convenient time. In a big city, this sometimes means saving a few hours in a day.
- As a rule, reasonable prices with good qualifications and experience of the teacher.
- In small cities, it’s often difficult to find any tutor at all, and you can take lessons from an experienced and qualified teacher on Skype.
- The ability to learn from native speakers - offline it is problematic even in big cities.
- An opportunity to find a teacher of a “rare” language. If English teachers can be found almost everywhere, then with slightly less popular languages, for example, French, Spanish, Japanese, in many cities there are problems. Many online schools specialize in English, but teachers (and just communication partners) in many languages \u200b\u200bcan be found in.
Disadvantages:
- An inexperienced teacher can have a lot of problems with how to show something in a textbook or give an exercise to a student. When I tried to conduct lessons on Skype, I just had these difficulties. More experienced teachers can easily cope with this difficulty with the help of pre-prepared materials. At school, this problem was solved using a convenient virtual classroom.
- If you have a very unstable slow connection, a bad microphone, the computer is malfunctioning, part of the lesson will go to “Can you hear / see me?”.
- If you’re at odds with your computer, never used Skype and don’t know, for example, how to send a file, how to move a file from one folder to another, how to answer an incoming call, what is “login” and “password”, then learn it on the go, again spending lesson time. Instead of English lessons, you will get computer literacy lessons. Skype lessons mean that you have at least basic computer skills.
Method 2: Conversation Practice
If in “Method 1” the teacher teaches the student, then practice is no longer learning. This is a living use of the language, in fact, for which we learn it.
Everything is simple. We go to some language social network, we find there those who want to chat in English, exchange contacts and chat! For example, partners for practice can be found in the already mentioned. The mechanism is simple: the more we speak English, the better it turns out. Ekan and mooing in pauses will gradually be replaced by the speed and ease of speech, especially if study is not limited only to conversational practice, but is supported by reading, listening and, very preferably, writing in English.
Pros and cons of free speaking practice.
Advantages:
- Ability to practice English with native speakers for free.
- Speaking skill develops very well because you speak a lot and with enthusiasm.
- And all this without leaving your home, at any convenient time.
Disadvantages:
- This is not a lesson, but a conversation. A simple guy from Texas or Delhi is unlikely to want to explain the difference between and, and if he wants to, he will not always be able to. As well as you are unlikely to be able to immediately explain in detail how "ride" differs from "ride" or why you need a solid sign.
- In the language social networks it is not easy to find native English speakers. They are in great demand. They are dismantled very quickly, and they simply physically cannot communicate with everyone.
- Inadequate cases come across, be careful when communicating with strangers via the Internet.
Is it obligatory to talk with carriers?
But if you need to improve, swing it speaking skills, that is, to learn to speak fluently, without pausing and without choosing words, without thinking about it, without sorting through the mind, there is no difference who to talk to, if only the interlocutor had good enough English. It’s great, by the way, to practice with your compatriots - it’s easier to find a common language, topics for conversation. True, there is a risk of adopting the interlocutor’s mistakes, for example in or building phrases.
Personally, I just didn’t talk with anyone on Skype: with a student from Puerto Rico who suddenly fell in love with Russian, with a polyglot from Hungary, who spoke five languages, with retirees from the USA, students from Brazil and Bangladesh, but most of all I spoke English with Russian student Svetlana, who studied in Germany and needed to practice English. With German, she was doing well, but English was forgotten due to non-use. An important factor played a role: I was interested in talking with her. When you speak English with interest, forgetting that you switched to another language, the skill grows by leaps and bounds (the same goes for reading, listening, writing).
With native speakers you will develop not only speaking skills, but also listening comprehension of English. Of course, it’s inconsistent with the neutral, someone can’t connect the two words, but if the person you speak speaks their native language correctly, you’ll better understand lively, real English, with all its linguistic and cultural subtleties. In most cases, the difference between the speech of a native speaker (literate) and a foreigner is very strong.
Conclusion
- Engage remotely with a teacher without leaving home. There is no need to follow the train to the capital in search of knowledge.
- Practicing speaking with other language learners doesn’t matter how far apart you live.
- Communicate in English with the British, Americans, Canadians and other native English speakers.
All these three possibilities are only 20 years ago, simply did not exist. We live in a golden era of language learning when literature, audio and video, and even communication in foreign languages \u200b\u200bare available. Take advantage of this, and success in learning the language!
Today it is difficult to find an Internet user who would not know about the existence of such a program as Skype. Usually this application is associated with free Internet connection and video conferencing. In addition to free Internet telephony, group chats and file sharing, the Skype program also has other, by no means familiar to all users, useful features.
For example - to study english on skype with carrier for free. How to put this into practice? After all, it’s not very polite to directly contact any English-speaking Skype user and require communication.
How to find an English speaking person on Skype
This opportunity is already provided and all problems are solved! Follow the following plan.
There in the Skype community you can find an interlocutor of the native speaker you are studying, and there are also special language clubs. You will learn the language with an Englishman, and in gratitude this foreigner will learn your language - are you also a native speaker of your native language? And someone in other countries is very interested in your ability to speak your language perfectly and absolutely without an accent.
Skype Language Learning Alternative
If you just type in a Google search phrase english on skype, then you will be offered other options for learning languages \u200b\u200boutside the Skype community. These are various online language schools or courses where you will be offered free use of a limited number of Skype lessons. After completing the free course, you may want to continue your studies for money.
The advantage of paid tuition is that they take things seriously. You can chat for free over Skype for years with an English-speaking interlocutor and still not get hold of a free speech. And professional schools use special techniques to learn the language as soon as possible. In general, the choice is huge and, if desired, you can find courses suitable for the level of knowledge for communicating the language at minimal cost or even completely without payment.
We have long been accustomed to the existence of classical schools and courses for learning English, where you need to regularly walk several times a week. But not everyone has the opportunity, desire and time for such trips. For those who would like to study English at home, there is an excellent option - learning English on Skype.
English on Skype: advantages and disadvantages
Like any other way of learning English, Skype training has its pros and cons, having weighed which you can understand whether this method is suitable for you or not. TO the benefits Such training can include:
- The opportunity to study directly from home or any other place convenient for you, without wasting time on the road to the courses;
- The ability to choose the most convenient training time for you;
- Most often, such training is cheaper than classical courses;
- The ability to engage with native speakers from anywhere in the world;
- Individual lessons.
Disadvantages of learning on Skype:
- The need to more carefully approach the choice of teacher, so as not to get to the layman;
- Internet connection and microphone must be of very good quality, in order to avoid glitches and poor sound quality;
- Lack of communication in English “in the group”.
How to start learning English on Skype
All you need to start learning English on Skype is to check the speed and quality of your home Internet, purchase a good microphone and choose an online school or a private teacher. We have prepared for you a list of 9 places where you can study English on Skype.
10 places to go skype
SkyEng is the largest online English language school in Eastern Europe. At the disposal of SkyEng more than 880 teachers who conduct their lessons from around the world. The school takes seriously the choice of teacher for each student and supervises the learning process. Classes are held around the clock, a trial lesson is free. All classes are held on the platform, which is essentially an online textbook for the student and teacher. This platform is multifunctional, which makes online lessons more effective. In addition to the lessons, the school has:
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- mobile app;
- conversational online club;
- own channel on Youtube.
Lesson Duration: 50 minutes
Class price: 690 rubles with a Russian-speaking teacher and 1270 rubles with a native speaker. The price includes online access to a virtual classroom with study materials.
Skype-english
Skype-english English language school offers training from teachers who hold IELTS, FCE and CAE certificates, an accessible and understandable presentation of the material, as well as the elimination of existing "white spots" in knowledge of the English language. The school offers:
- free first lesson;
- a unique methodology for working with "podcasts";
- video recording of classes.
Lesson Duration: 80 minutes
Class price: 790 rubles per class. When you purchase an activity package, a system of discounts applies.
Lingoda
Lingoda Online School offers real-time lessons with qualified native speakers from around the world. Classes are held around the clock in two directions: individual and group classes in mini-groups for up to 5 people. Lingoda promises:
- lessons on any topic;
- a transparent teacher assessment system;
- own training platform and training materials;
- 7 day money back guarantee.
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class price: from 5000 per package of 10 group lessons.
iTalki
The iTalki online school has at its disposal more than 1,000 teachers, and at least 2,000 tutors who will help in learning a foreign language, including English. iTalki conducts lessons based on the individual needs and interests of each student. The school offers:
- certified teachers;
- the opportunity to find a language exchange partner;
- articles for language learners.
The duration of the lesson and the price of the lesson depends on the chosen teacher / tutor.
English dom
English Dom English School provides quality online instruction with immersion in the language environment. The staff of the school has more than 200 language teachers who teach in 10 copyrighted training programs. English Dom offers:
- free first lesson;
- cancellation and free transfer of classes in 12 hours;
- free replacement of the teacher in the learning process.
Lesson Duration: 50 minutes
Class price: from 590 rubles per lesson. The school offers a number of promotions and discounts.
Englex
Englex is an online English language school that works on the basis of a communicative teaching methodology. Materials for training are selected individually, and vocabulary with grammar is immediately worked out during a conversation. The school promises:
- maximum conversational practice in each lesson;
- high quality education;
- free introductory lesson.
Lesson Duration: 45-90 minutes
Class price: from 486 rubles with a Russian-speaking teacher and from 1119 rubles with a native speaker.
Greenland
The Greenland online foreign language school guarantees individual training programs for each student, helps to choose the most appropriate learning pace and techniques for memorizing materials. The school guarantees:
- 70% of the lesson time is devoted to training communication skills;
- textbook classes from Cambridge, Oxford, and Longman;
- 2 free introductory classes;
- group and individual lessons to choose from.
Lesson Duration: 30-90 minutes
Class price: from 300 rubles for an individual half-hour lesson.
Tutororline
TutorOnline online school conducts classes on the basis of Skype or a virtual whiteboard classroom. Classes are held around the clock. More than 300 tutors work at the school. TutorOnline offers:
- free introductory lesson;
- independent choice of teacher;
- preparation for the Unified State Examination and the State Automobile Inspection.
Lesson Duration: depends on teacher
Price: 1100 rubles for 2 lessons.
Skype language
The Skype-language online school has a staff of online tutors who will develop an effective training program for a particular student, taking into account goals and timelines. Before the lesson, the student will be sent educational material, according to which the lesson will continue. Skype-language offers:
- free trial lesson;
- free test for determining the level of language proficiency;
- free access to language learning articles.
Lesson Duration: 45-60 minutes
Class price: 3000 rubles for a package of 5 lessons with a Russian-speaking teacher and 5950 rubles for a package of 5 lessons with a native speaker. Skype-language offers a discount system.