| Did you know that you can learn Spanish on the | | | | the material you receive will be online. However, in |
| Internet without ever attending a live classroom? Here | | | | many cases, you would be able to overcome this |
| are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about | | | | simply by printing the material from online onto a printer. |
| this new venue for learning to speak Spanish: | | | | - You do not have the benefit of study partners with |
| How can I learn Spanish on the Internet? | | | | whom to practice your Spanish or to collaborate with |
| A Spanish home study course will provide you with | | | | to study together. |
| access to everything you will need for the course: | | | | - The course in a classroom will have been accredited |
| your syllabus, your study guides, multimedia programs, | | | | by an educational agency such as a school board or |
| and more. | | | | by a government department of education, so you will |
| How do I choose the right Spanish home study | | | | know that the course meets certain standards. |
| course? | | | | What is the difference in terms of cost of education? |
| Always choose a program that offers a money-back | | | | To learn Spanish on the Internet is much more |
| guarantee. Also, look for a program that offers you a | | | | cost-effective than learning it in a traditional classroom, |
| few free trial lessons, to give you a feel for the quality | | | | as mentioned above. For a mere fraction of the cost |
| of the course. If you will be investing your money in | | | | of even a community college course, you can get a |
| your education, you should be entitled to test drive it. | | | | complete, comprehensive Spanish home study course. |
| Are there any advantages to learn Spanish on the | | | | This is because you are not paying for the overhead |
| Internet versus a traditional classroom? | | | | of a teacher, of a building, or of textbooks. |
| There are many advantages to learn Spanish on the | | | | What is the difference in terms of the quality of the |
| Internet versus in a traditional classroom: | | | | education? |
| - You can study from the comfort of your own home | | | | You can expect that the quality of the education will |
| or from anywhere in the world that you have access | | | | be the same, if not better, than that of a traditional |
| to the Internet. You are not bound to a physical | | | | classroom. As a commercial product produced through |
| location. | | | | a private enterprise, the producers of the online course |
| - You can study any time you want to. You are not | | | | will have a vested interest in ensuring that your |
| bound to a specific time slot. You can study whatever | | | | education through their course will meet or exceed the |
| time is convenient for you. | | | | standards set by a traditional classroom education. |
| - You can study at your own pace. Because you are | | | | Also, keep in mind that learning Spanish online does not |
| not bound to a specific time slot or to a location, you | | | | have to take the place of a traditional classroom. You |
| are free to study at your own pace. You can spend | | | | can also supplement your Spanish classroom course |
| however much time you need on each lesson and | | | | with an online course as well, to facilitate and reinforce |
| study with as much frequency as is convenient for | | | | the concepts you are already learning in the |
| you. | | | | classroom. |
| - Lower cost. Because you are paying to access the | | | | What do I need in order to learn Spanish on the |
| materials directly over the Internet and you are not | | | | Internet? |
| dealing with tangible books nor are you paying for a | | | | All you really need is a computer with Internet access. |
| teacher or a classroom, the cost of a home study | | | | Once you sign up for the online course, you will |
| course like this is much more inexpensive than if you | | | | typically get access to one or more of the following: |
| were to register for a class in college. | | | | - Downloadable materials - Items that you can save |
| - You can review your material as often as you like. | | | | onto your computer. |
| Because you are studying at your own pace, you can | | | | - Printable materials - Items that you can print directly |
| go back and review your material as often as you | | | | to a printer. |
| need to. | | | | - Web-based materials - Items that can only be |
| - If the course contains multimedia audio and video or | | | | accessed while you are connected to the Internet. |
| interactive games, you can avail yourself of these | | | | How do I know if a Spanish home study course is right |
| valuable study aids for learning, whereas in a traditional | | | | for me? |
| classroom you only have a textbook. | | | | Every human being has a different aptitude for |
| What are the disadvantages to learn Spanish on the | | | | learning. Everybody has a different learning style. |
| Internet versus a traditional classroom? | | | | Some people absolutely need a teacher to be |
| Of course there are disadvantages for you to | | | | physically present to guide them in the learning |
| consider as well: | | | | process. Some people are very good independent |
| - You do not have the benefit of a live teacher who | | | | learners. Some people require discipline and |
| can guide you in case you are not able to grasp the | | | | accountability that a classroom affords you, in order to |
| concepts presented in the reading materials. | | | | learn. Some people require multimedia resources and |
| - You do not have the rigorous discipline of a schedule | | | | games in order to learn more effectively. Some people |
| and deadlines, and are not accountable to anyone to | | | | find traditional learning through a tangible textbook to |
| meet your course objectives, unless you are entirely | | | | be the best for them. The cost savings are also worth |
| self-motivated to do so. | | | | considering as well. |
| - You will not receive hard copies of textbooks, since | | | | |