What are the Pros & Cons of Learning Spanish Online?

The advantage of learning Spanish with books and CDs,is that it is probably the cheapest way to learn it and you can study there if your pc gets broken. The disadvantage is that learning a language from books or CD’s is similar to learning how to swim by reading a swimming instruction book and also it requieres a lot of self discipline amd motivation: You need a human instructor, at least during some parts of your learning process to correct your mistakes, It does not matter if you pronounce words incorrectly over and over they will remain incorrect. However, books, CD's can serve as excellent supplementary aids to other methods of learning Spanish.

The advantage of learning Spanish with books and CDs,is that it is probably the cheapest way to learn it and you can study there if your pc gets broken. The disadvantage is that learning a language from books or CD’s is similar to learning how to swim by reading a swimming instruction book and also it requieres a lot of self discipline amd motivation: You need a human instructor, at least during some parts of your learning process to correct your mistakes, It does not matter if you pronounce words incorrectly over and over they will remain incorrect. However, books, CD's can serve as excellent supplementary aids to other methods of learning Spanish.

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I completely agree with Pamela. Once the student has experienced the progress and advantages, they stick to online lessons.

I completely agree with Pamela. Once the student has experienced the progress and advantages, they stick to online lessons.

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I agree with you both on the advantages of online learning of Spanish or any other subject, as it can be equated to a face-to-face class when on virtual classrooms.
But it is also true that not all students have the required ICT knowledge and skills - computer attributes- or if they do, they may not have computer access...
For example two of my students who learnt over the phone- via teleconferencing- they did it because at the "remote" place in the north of my region where they were there was no cyber café nor they had a pc at home.

I agree with you both on the advantages of online learning of Spanish or any other subject, as it can be equated to a face-to-face class when on virtual classrooms. But it is also true that not all students have the required ICT knowledge and skills - computer attributes- or if they do, they may not have computer access... For example two of my students who learnt over the phone- via teleconferencing- they did it because at the "remote" place in the north of my region where they were there was no cyber café nor they had a pc at home.

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Reading the thread again I thought that we are worried about this question because we are digital immigrants (instructors of the pre-digital age).
There are groups- the younger generations- for which the question would be "What are the Pros & Cons of Learning Spanish with books?" ;-)

Reading the thread again I thought that we are worried about this question because we are digital immigrants (instructors of the pre-digital age). There are groups- the younger generations- for which the question would be "What are the Pros & Cons of Learning Spanish with books?" ;-)

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I believe pros and cons of learning a language online should be considered case by case and not as a generalization. I´ve had students of Spanish who wouldn´t dream of going online because of their poor computer skills (nothing that a bit of practice and good virtual classroom habits couldn´t solve) and I had some others that couldn´t wait to engage in the experience. Working on the web can provide high motivation to some, adding to the initial motivation to learn Spanish… and be unthinkable to others!
I agree with Ricardo that books and CDS are a complement to learning, specially with elementary and pre-elementary students but not necessarily the key to success in learning. I also think that having the resources (bandwidth, a running computer, your teacher and yourself) and the drive to learn, online learning has more pros than cons compared to face-to-face lessons, both for the teacher and the students. Saving time, money, schedule flexibility, having all resources in the same place and time, class recordings to watch again and again, better organization and the comfort of working from home against the occasional blackout or ISP problem.

I believe pros and cons of learning a language online should be considered case by case and not as a generalization. I´ve had students of Spanish who wouldn´t dream of going online because of their poor computer skills (nothing that a bit of practice and good virtual classroom habits couldn´t solve) and I had some others that couldn´t wait to engage in the experience. Working on the web can provide high motivation to some, adding to the initial motivation to learn Spanish… and be unthinkable to others! I agree with Ricardo that books and CDS are a complement to learning, specially with elementary and pre-elementary students but not necessarily the key to success in learning. I also think that having the resources (bandwidth, a running computer, your teacher and yourself) and the drive to learn, online learning has more pros than cons compared to face-to-face lessons, both for the teacher and the students. Saving time, money, schedule flexibility, having all resources in the same place and time, class recordings to watch again and again, better organization and the comfort of working from home against the occasional blackout or ISP problem.

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