Top 10 misconceptions about part-time language Courses
Tuesday, 10th February 2009
Part-time language courses offer a convenient, affordable, and effective way to learn or refresh foreign language skills.
Their tried and tested format suits a huge variety of learners, and the fun and relaxed atmosphere in which they take place provides a much more laid-back way of studying. In fact, this makes them the exact opposite of the sterile language lessons of yesteryear, which have left a lasting impression on so many people it seems!
There are still a lot of misconceptions about part-time courses though, which is a great shame considering how popular they have become, and how readily available they are. Below is a list of those which seem most commonly to arise, along with explanations of why they are inaccurate.
1. You will be expected to know a little of the language already – even if you are a beginner.
This is definitely not the case. If you start a beginner’s course, you may find that a few people know the odd word or two, but it will not be assumed that this is the case in general by any means. The courses are designed for you to start from scratch.
2. You will make enough progress just attending the two-hour session each week.
This is one of the most common misconceptions out of them all. The two hour input session will provide you with the bulk of the basic information that you need in order make progress, but if you don’t practice what you have been taught, you won’t remember it! It’s expressly for this reason that homework will be set most weeks, and why you are encouraged to do as much self-study as possible between lessons.
3. Once you have signed up for a certain level of class, you have to stay in it, even if it’s not right for you.
It’s not always easy to gauge exactly what level you’re at. Language level tests usually give you a fairly good idea, but there will always be instances where people need to move up or down a level. Teachers carry out diagnostic tests in the first lesson to determine if students are correctly placed, and it is possible to change levels up to the end of the second class.
4. The classes will mainly teach you about grammar.
Whilst elements of grammar will be covered during the classes, the main focus will be on conversation. Learning and practicing the ins and outs of the finer points of grammar and vocabulary are the type of things that you can do in your free time – getting to practice speaking the language with a native speaker is one of the main advantages of attending class every week.
5. The teacher will most likely be a British person who speaks the foreign language fluently.
All Cactus teachers are native speakers of the language that they teach. The majority also speak English fluently too. Bilingual teachers all have native level proficiency.
6. All lessons will be taught in English.
Teachers will actually try to use English as little as possible in class, even in the lower level classes. The communicative teaching method that is encouraged amongst Cactus teachers enables classes to be taught effectively using just the target language. It may sound hard to comprehend, but as soon as you begin your lessons, you will see how well it works!
7. The classes will take place in further education establishments.
The majority of courses take place in private language schools, which offer classes to foreign learners of English during the daytime.
8. The classes will be the same size as in a secondary school.
One of the real advantages of learning a language through part-time evening courses is that the maximum class size is 12 – about half the size average secondary school class.
Having fewer students means that the teachers are able to offer more individual support to each member of the class, and you will be able to participate more in class-based activities.
9. The lessons will only focus on what is in your textbook. (i.e. no supplementary materials).
Although you are provided with a textbook at the start of your course, and follow that as the main backbone to your course, teachers are also encouraged to supplement the classes with extra resources and activities as much as possible.
10. Most other people in your class will be naturally good at languages, and probably speak one or two others.
This misconception is unfortunately one which most commonly deters people from signing up to do a course. Not everyone is a natural linguist, and the good thing about these courses is that they attract a huge variety of students, who are learning for a wide range of reasons. There will always be people who pick up languages very quickly and easily, but there are plenty of people who don’t – everyone is given the same support and attention though, and learning in this informal and fun way can be very suited to people who are less confident when it comes to language-learning.
Tags: languages, part-time evening course, courses, part-time
Posted by Laura Harrison under Attitudes to Language Learning, Types of Courses,
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