Education has changed in a big way within the past decade. The advancement of technology and communication tools has made education more affordable and accessible for the mass. Better yet, it has become more personalizedBut it hasn't always been this way.
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A Brief History of Education

Back in the 18th century, the Prussian educational system introduced what's known as the Factory Model Education. In short, it was a top-down management model that was designed to be as efficient as possible to meet societal needs, and to produce results.

Horace Mann, who was the secretary of the Massachusetts board of education, analyzed many educational systems before deciding on the Prussian model. Within six decades, every state in the United States has introduced a similar system.

This depersonalization and efficiency maximization was necessary in this time period when there was a lack of resources, systems, and technologies that we have available today. But none of those apply in our modern society.

In fact, efficiency in today's marketplace is quickly being replaced and commoditized by technology. What's valuable is the creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking that is unfortunately not being fostered by the current education model.
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Enter Language Schools

When demand for language learning increased, language schools began to form. Many of them modelling themselves after the standard education model that has always existed.

Since most language schools are private and for-profit institutions, they have flexibility in how they market and brand themselves. However, standardized tests, one-size-fits-all curriculums, and group lectures were still being used as standard frameworks for teaching.

Many have debated on the effectiveness and cost/time justifications of language schools versus alternative methods. Today, we're going to share with you the pros and cons of language schools, so you can make the most informed decision for you or your loved ones.
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The Pros of Language Schools

a. You can meet new people

‍One of the biggest upsides of language schools is the dynamic group environment you get to be a part of. While not everyone learns better in a group setting, almost everyone enjoys being part of a community.

Most language schools will have a group of 8 to 15 people that come from different parts of the world. You can build lasting relationships, and go through the ups and downs of your language learning journey together. It's kind of like going into battle together with the same goal in mind.

‍b. You get structure and accountability‍

For language learners that prefer structure and accountability when learning, language schools are built for that. There's a standardized curriculum you learn from, standardized tests you take, and fixed schedule that you're required to follow.

In short, it's like going back to school again. And if you thrived in the standardized education model, then it may be a good sign that language schools could be a fit for your learning style.

Be self-aware of how you best learn, and think back to how much you remember from your language classes in highschool or college. It's probably the best predictor of how effective language schools will be for you.

‍c. Immersion programs offer a cultural experience

‍Some language schools provide a fully immersive experience where you can pay to live in a foreign country while learning your target language. With accommodations, classes, and community events included as part of your package, this is likely the most effective way to learn a language.

You get to experience the culture first-hand, and you're forced to practice the lessons you learned during class. Best of all, there's no need to worry about planning every little thing during your stay.On the other hand...
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The Cons of Language Schools

a. It's incredibly expensive

‍Not only is it incredibly expensive, it's overpriced. Because of the way language schools are structured, there are hefty, ongoing costs just to maintain their physical operations. To cover their basic real estate fees, insurance, and other overhead costs, most language schools are required to charge a premium price for their service.
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At a certain price point, you have to question whether there are alternative methods that you can benefit from. To give you a break down, a single session at a leading language school will cost around $50/hour to sit in the classroom. But it doesn't stop there.

‍b. Lack of personalization

‍For the striking price you pay at language schools (online or offline), there's a lack of personalization that comes with the learning environment. With one teacher needing to meet the goals and learning styles of 8 to 15 students at a time, you're only receiving ~1/10th of the personal attention from teachers.

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Everyone has a different style of learning. Some learn better by speaking, while others learn better by writing, etc. But it's impossible for one teacher to accommodate these individualistic needs of each student, and this is only amplified when there's students arriving from different parts of the world.Which leads to...

‍c. You learn as fast as the slowest learner

‍This standardized learning schedule means a teacher cannot move forward until every person in the group is ready to move forward. Otherwise, the teacher is accused of neglecting a student's need, especially when they paid thousands of dollars to attend.

What's rarely talked about is that in this situation, the teacher is neglecting everyone else's time by constantly catering one student's need. This is why you only learn as fast as the slowest learner in the group.Students can only be moved down if schools have enough students in the lower levels, and if there are enough proficiency levels (i.e. the student may be a Beginner-Intermediate versus Beginner).

‍d. Conversation can be learned but not taught

‍Like riding a bicycle or learning how to swim, speaking a new language is about practicing the right things, not learning the right things. No matter how much we study how to tread on water, if we don't take the time to practice, we'll drown the moment we get in.This is amplified in languages. There are small nuances in accents, pronunciation, speaking patterns, and more that can't be mastered by listening or reading. You have to practice.

Don't expect language schools to help you with conversation practice, as much as grammar rules. Since the majority of the benefits of learning a language come from oral communication, it's worth evaluating whether your end goal matches your desired method.
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The Pros and Cons of Language Schools

We've covered our top pros and cons of language schools after speaking with hundreds of students at Rype. There are certain things we didn't mention, such as commuting and time requirements, that we felt most people already knew. If there are any other we may have missed, share with us in the comments below.

As a summary of what we discussed:

‍Pros of conversation exchange

 
• Build new relationships. Meet people from around the world, and go through language learning together
 
• Gain structure and accountability. With a fixed schedule, you may feel more motivated to complete assignments, attend classes, etc.

Cons of conversation exchange

 
• High cost. Business models of language schools require premium pricing that students are required to pay. With alternatives available like Rype, it's worth reconsidering the true value you get.
 
• One-size-fits-all curriculum. One method that tries to meet the individualistic learning styles, goals, and needs of many students. Leads to lack of personalization, and learning gaps over time.
 
• Time wasted by waiting for slower students. Schools cannot leave students behind when they've paid thousands of dollars to be there. Since there will always be students who take longer to understand different concepts, you'll often find yourself waiting for others to catch up.
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Are Language Schools Right For You?

There's no right or wrong answer whether a language school is right for you. What we can share is that it's certainly not the only, nor the best option out there.

While language schools may have had a monopoly in the language industry in the past, you're only a search away from finding more affordable, convenient, and quality options available to you.

Do your own research first, consider your options, and be aware of how you learn best. Once you've done that, evaluate your budget, time, and timeline to learn a language. All of these should be considered as logical factors before you spend thousands of dollars (upfront) on a solution that may or may not work for you.

Best of luck on your search, and we hope that our complete analysis was useful.