There are many ways to skin a cat. And when you’re setting out to learn a new language, you may be employing a combination of different class types and ways of learning. Here’s an overview of different learning methods and their pro’s and cons.

Full-time group language lessons

By taking part in full-time group language lessons, learning the language becomes your principal occupation, and you will spend at least several hours a day on it, both in class and doing revision and preparation. It’s probably the most intense way to learn a language. By putting a concentrated effort into learning, you will quickly see results, which will help to stay motivated.

Suitable for:

1. Early stage of learning the language;
2. Learning a language quickly if you have a few months off work;
3. Learning a language intensively in the country in which it is spoken;
4. Kicking your language learning off to a quick start;
5. Learning the language as quickly as possible if you have an urgent need to speak the language.

Not suitable if:

1. You cannot free yourself for a number of weeks / months.

Also refer to: Should I take full-time language lessons?

Part-time group language lessons

Not everyone can just schedule a few months off to dedicate to language learning. So an alternative is to join a part-time language lesson on a set weekly schedule, e.g. two evenings weekly. While it’s a lot slower than learning full-time, with persistance you can still master the language.

Suitable for:

1. Combining language learning with other obligations, such as work or study;
2. Perfecting your abilities when you’re already on an advanced level;
3. Learning a language on a budget.

Not suitable if:

1. You cannot muster the discipline or keep motivated to learn slowly over an extended period;
2. You cannot commit to a regular schedule (e.g. because of travel for work).

Also refer to: Are private language lessons worth the extra cost?

Private language lessons

You can also opt to hire your own language tutor, which will give you more flexibility in terms of lesson timing and also in terms of the speed and the contents of your lessons.

Suitable for:

1. Learning as intensely as possible;
2. People with limited time and an irregular schedule;
3. Learning with a very specific focus;
4. You are at an advanced level.

Not suitable if:

1. You can’t afford it;
2. You are strongly motivated by competition and comparison;
3. The added value of private lessons is also less if you are a complete beginner.

Also refer to: Why are language lessons so expensive in Singapore?

Semi-private lesson

Some schools offer semi private language lessons. These are a middle option between part-time group lessons and private language lessons: the group of students is kept small, so that each one gets more attention from the teacher. The advantages of the semi-private lesson are comparable to the part-time language lesson, with the difference that the learning is more intense, and for having less students in the class, the price will be higher than part-time group classes. But still considerably cheaper than what you would pay to engage a private language tutor.

Language exchange

You can also learn in an informal way, by getting to know people who speak the language you want to learn, and engaging in a language exchange. You teach someone your mother tongue in exchange for learning that person’s mother tongue.

Suitable if:

1. You prefer an informal way of learning the language;
2. You want to learn about the culture as much as about the language;
3. You have more time than money;
4. You already have learnt foreign languages before.

Not suitable if:

1. You need very detailed explanation of grammar (this comes naturally to native speakers, so they wouldn’t know how to explain it to you)
2. You are pressed for time (after all, you’ll have to offer your side of the deal too)
3. It’s also better if you are not a complete beginner in the language you want to learn.

Also refer to: Language exchange: finding a language partner in Singapore

Vitual lessons

Why bother to go to class if you can all do it online? These days there is a wide choice of online providers of language training who offer online learning materials, and even tuition through Skype.

Suitable if:

1. You travel a lot and can’t commit to language lessons at one place;
2. You need a lot of flexibility on a limited budget;
3. You want to learn a lesson that’s not taught at a location close to you;
4. You have discipline and a commitment to learn the language.

Not suitable if:

1. Your internet connection isn’t fast enough (really, this can be a major drag);
2. Social interaction is an important motivator to come to classes;
3. You are a complete beginner.

Also refer to: Learning languages online with LiveMocha

Conclusion

This post may have been a bit dry, but I thought it would be helpful to sum up the pros and cons of different ways to learn a language. You don’t have to stick to one method. I personally started out learning independently, then took full-time group lessons, took part-time group lessons after that, and now intend to do a language exchange. Mix and match as it suits you!

Can you think of other ways to learn a language?

About Guus Goorts

Guus has traveled widely and has lived in The Netherlands, Ghana, Belgium and Singapore. In descending order of fluency, he speaks Dutch, English, Mandarin, German and some rudiments of Spanish, French and Italian. Guus lives in Singapore with his wife and two young children. He settled in Singapore in early 2006 from his native country The Netherlands. After working in a job for corporate training, he founded Yago Languages, Singapore's guide to language learning.

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