Online Learning
How to Master a New Language: Tips and Resources for Language Learners
Online learning is a form of education in which students are provided with the opportunity to learn at their own pace and from the comfort of their own homes. The benefits of online learning include convenience, flexibility, cost savings and more opportunities for those who cannot attend traditional classes due to work or family obligations.
Online professional development programs provide an opportunity for professionals to improve their skills through self-paced courses that can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. These programs are often offered by universities or other accredited organizations as a way for individuals to gain new knowledge without leaving their jobs or families behind.
Choosing the Right language learning Platform
Choosing the right online learning platform for your professional development is a very important decision. There are many factors to consider, including:
- The types of platforms available (eLearning, video, live webinars)
- Your budget (free or paid)
- The best way to figure out which platform is right for you is by trying them out! Our team has compiled a list of our favorites below so that you can get started right away.
Learning a new language online
You’ll need to create an account, which is usually free. Once you’ve done that, explore the platform and see what it has to offer. The best way to learn how online learning platforms work is by using them!
Once you’ve explored the platform enough and have a good idea of how it works, it’s time for course creation:
Coursera
Coursera is an education platform that offers a wide selection of online courses, specializations, and degrees. Courses are taught by top universities and organizations around the world. Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. The company has raised more than $240 million from investors including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), New Enterprise Associates (NEA), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and GSV Capital Corp., among others.
Udemy
Udemy is a great platform for finding courses on almost any topic. With over 50,000 courses in its library, you’re sure to find something interesting and useful.
The site offers thousands of free courses as well as paid ones that range from $10-$200+. If you want to learn something specific but don’t know where to start, there are also categories like “Top Rated” or “Newest” so it’s easy enough to find what works best for your needs.
Udemy also has an app available on iOS devices (iPhone/iPad) which makes it easy for users who prefer mobile learning over desktop computers!
Skillshare
Skillshare offers a variety of online courses that are taught by experts in their fields. The site has a wide range of topics and disciplines, including design, photography, marketing and more. Skillshare also has an extensive library of video tutorials on topics like coding and web development.
Skillshare’s pricing structure is based on the number of classes you want to take per month: $15/month gets you one class; $29/month gets you two classes; $49/month gets you three classes; $79/month gets you four classes; or $99/month gets unlimited access to all classes (which means that if there are five courses available during your billing cycle–and there usually are–you can take all five).
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free online learning platform that offers thousands of courses in math, science, finance and more. The site was founded by Salman Khan in 2006 and has since grown to include over 3 million users worldwide.
Khan Academy offers courses on topics ranging from basic algebra to quantum physics, with each lesson featuring step-by-step instructions accompanied by images or videos (depending on the topic). Users can also test their knowledge with practice exercises at the end of each section before moving on to the next lesson.
Lynda
Lynda is an online learning platform that provides users with access to thousands of courses, ranging from software development to business skills. Courses are taught by experts in their field and include a wide range of topics.
Lynda offers three different pricing plans: monthly ($19), annual ($99), or enterprise (customizable).
edX
edX is a nonprofit organization that offers online courses from some of the world’s most prestigious universities. It’s also one of the most popular MOOC platforms with over 100 million users around the world and over 1,000 courses available in its catalog.
The platform offers a wide range of content from computer science to economics, business, law and more–all taught by professors at Harvard University (the founder), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other top schools like Stanford University or Dartmouth College. You can take free courses on edX or pay for a certificate after completing your studies which will cost between $50-$100 depending on which course you choose to take.
FutureLearn
FutureLearn is a subsidiary of the Open University, one of the UK’s largest universities. It offers online courses in subjects ranging from history and literature to business and technology. There are over 500 courses available on FutureLearn, with new ones being added regularly.
FutureLearn has some unique features that set it apart from other learning platforms:
It’s free! You can take all of their courses for free (with some limits), or pay for premium access if you want more flexibility in your learning experience.
You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience in order to join them; they welcome people from all walks of life into their community.
Professional development is important for all professionals, but it can be difficult to find time to attend training courses or conferences. Online learning platforms make it easier than ever before for you to learn about new skills and techniques that will help you advance your career.
Online learning platforms offer a wide range of content including video lectures on specific topics, interactive tutorials that allow users to practice what they’ve learned in real-time environments, Q&A forums where users can ask questions and get answers from experts in the field (or other learners), discussion boards where users can share ideas with each other and collaborate on projects–and much more!