Language classes or private language lessons?

There is no set or standard rule regarding which are better, language classes or private language lessons. For some students, a private lesson may be better, and for other students a group setting may work. It also depends on what is being taught, what the students are expected to do, and if the student actually wants to learn.This is what we'll explore today, we hope it helps you make a sounder decision.

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Advantages of Language Classes

Group interaction is common in language lessons, and such interaction may help improve a student’s spoken language. People in groups are able to support each other if a suitable atmosphere and environment are created.
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Advantages of Private Lessons

People usually learn faster with private lessons. This may also lower the cost of the learning process overall. Adaptive teaching is far easier when a student is one-on-one with a teacher. Private lessons allow a student and teacher to concentrate on the student’s goals. You pay as you learn, which means a lot of saved time, hassle, travel and so forth.
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Disadvantages of Language Classes

More commitment is needed because it is very easy to slack off in a group setting. The lessons go too slow for those that excel and too fast for those that struggle. The student has to work his or her schedule around getting to class at the right time. Just one disruptive element may slow the progress of all in the class.
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Disadvantages of Private Lessons

Staying focused all the way through a lesson can feel difficult. Private lessons can be a bigger investment. Teachers and students with conflicting personalities may struggle, if you don't find the right teacher.
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Summary of Breakdown

Language classes has worked for years in public schools where many of the students are forced into group language lessons. It consists of having one instructor teaching a group of 10 to 30 students, which means you'll need to share the attention of teachers amongst other students. As the saying goes, "you only learn as fast as the slowest student in the classroom", so if you're a motivated learner with the desire to learn fast, language classes may be a frustrating experience.

On the other hand, students can benefit by interacting and learning from each other in a group setting. It helps build confidence with the language as they see other people both excel and struggle. The people they see struggling make the others feel better because they see how being “wrong” or getting it incorrect is nothing to be embarrassed about.

There are hundreds of benefits to private language lessons, and the main one is that you're getting the full attention of a teacher, who can understand your needs, proficiency, and goals. Whether you're a motivated student or not, having a private language teacher will help you learn significantly faster, which is no different than getting better results with a personal trainer than a group fitness class.

The good news is that gaining access to a private teacher can be less expensive than going through language classes, especially if you're learning online. This is because language schools have to deal with the overhead and staffing costs of operating a school, which often means premium prices to make up for the premium costs they're incurring.
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Which Should You Choose?

There's no right or wrong answer here. I comes down to what's important for you and self-awareness on how you best learn. In terms of cost, language classes and private language lessons may not differ so much if you're learning online.

If you're a self-motivated learner who thrives in group settings and being around others, then language classes could be an option to consider.If you have a busy schedule and want the full accountability of having a personal teacher, then private language lessons is the route to go.

The good news is, you can try one of these options, risk-free.

‍Try out a free 14-day trial, where you can get 3 free private language lessons -- on us.