Fancy learning a language online? You can’t do it alone!

6 April 2018
Online learning is gaining in popularity, including at ElaN Learning. The number of trainees following a digital language course at ElaN has increased by no less than 50% in just five years. “This is a trend that we have taken advantage of in the form of our web tool, BabblPro,” says Ingrid Vandormael, Training Manager at ElaN Learning. So, is digital the right way? “The advantages are well-known; people with busy agendas can learn their language where and when they want.” However, Ingrid does add an important ‘but’.

Virtual classroom

In order to get the same returns from online learning as you would get with traditional face-to-face training, you cannot leave the online trainee to his/her own devices. “Naturally, this is crucial. That’s why we added the necessary preconditions when developing our BabblPro tool five years ago. Basically, BabblPro has all the characteristics of a virtual classroom. This is how ElaN connects the benefits of online learning to those face-to-face training. The trainer assists the trainee live and provides subject matter that closely ties in with the trainee’s personal learning goals.”

Variety thanks to exchanges

A major plus in this regard is that the trainer and trainee can exchange multimedia content. All you have to do is upload a text, presentation, PDF, or other file. The trainee and trainer can get right to work together, each on their own screen. “Take the English keynote presentation by sales guru Jeffrey Gitomer, for instance. A representative learns English by watching a video with content that ties in with his/her job. It makes language lessons more efficient and adds variety,” says Ingrid.

Learning on the job

Learning a foreign language doesn’t stop when the formal training ends. We've been emphasising this point at ElaN Learning for quite a while. “It all fits. Practise makes perfect, and that certainly applies to anyone who is learning a language.” That’s why ElaN encourages its trainees to use the language they have learned at work. For example, by effectively having telephone conversations in the target language. “We also involve those in his/her professional sphere in the learning process. For example, the manager can appoint a language mentor, who takes the trainee out for lunch and a chat. Or, a ‘language corner’ at work, which has dictionaries for the trainee to use, newspapers the trainee can read, where he/she can listen to the radio, etc.”

ScribblPro

ElaN has even more advice and tools to give the trainee’s language skills a boost. “Online trainees have access to our online tool, ScribblPro, for one year, during which they can continue to practise their vocabulary and grammar. In any case, every trainee will receive three follow-up emails after his/her training course. These are full of enriching audio, visual, and reading exercises.

BabblPro = more involvement

BabblPro ensures that, in terms of educational returns, the training course is comparable to that of traditional face-to-face training. Don’t forget: the manager can always check to see if the trainee is actually following the lessons and see how motivated he/she is. “It’s an option that is being used more frequently and which involves the managers even more closely in the trainee’s learning process,” concludes Ingrid.

 

Are you curious about the advantages of an online language training course?

Get in touch with Cathy De Ceuster, our Business Development Director. She will be happy to tell you all about our BabblPro online class formula, which is your guarantee for the very best language training.  

 

cathydeceuster@elanlearning.com

+32 (0)475 76 35 98