Teaching Foreign Languages Using Online Platforms

In this article, we consider the possibility of improving the effectiveness of teaching foreign languages at universities using innovative technologies - online platforms. Thanks to the lively and relaxed atmosphere of foreign language classes using online platforms, where only the latest software is used, training is carried out both in communication with teachers and in computer simulators (simulators designed specifically for the development of speaking and listening skills are provided). You can do this by clicking on the button below. Through the selection of real materials, students can effectively maintain the existing level of knowledge of foreign languages, not only to understand a foreign language, but also to improve it quickly and effectively. However, you can also speak fluently in the language being studied. All the benefits of learning a foreign language online were particularly relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the opportunity to acquire knowledge and continue the educational process remotely was the only one available. Now, as before, more and more students around the world are beginning to prefer this method of learning and improving their communication skills in a foreign language.

Today, knowledge of foreign languages has opened up wide opportunities for career development and career development, and the needs for knowledge of a foreign language for managers have also been discussed at the highest level. With the advent of the internet, learning a foreign language has become easier. Today, even those who are far from major cities and do not have the opportunity to attend full-time courses can easily master oral speech and literacy. In megacities, online foreign language courses are increasingly preferred as an alternative to on-site courses. Distance education also has many advantages in universities-from saving time to using brand new teaching methods.

How effective is online learning of foreign languages? For those who doubt the effectiveness of online foreign language courses (such as English), the main concern is the quality of spoken language, which, as they seem, will inevitably be affected. This is a misunderstanding. On the contrary, learning online depends to a large extent on the qualifications of teachers. Through online English classes, conversation skills can be developed based on the instructive pronunciation samples of native speakers. Headphones and microphones are all you need to start communicating with no problems.

Using a computer to learn a foreign language really only works if the program is compiled correctly. Remembering a certain amount of relevant words is not enough for communication in a foreign language, so the program must include written tasks and oral practice. Online courses of a foreign language are an important part of learning, but in most cases people set themselves a very specific goal: to communicate freely and understand the speech of native speakers. This means that the plan should include acquiring listening skills, i.e. listening to the statements of other people. Repeated listening and repetition can bring to the correct pronunciation of sounds. Because of this, we cannot overestimate the benefits of modern technology, as you can turn on the recording as many times as you need until you can perfectly repeat the sounds of new words and spoken sentences.

Some online platforms can be used in teaching foreign languages at Universities. This form of education, which involves a large number of people, is distance learning. On the platforms students can listen to lectures, watch videos and do various exercises. In some resources, the learning process is based on the ability to get feedback. This means teachers can be contacted with the help of the system. The foreign language online platform also includes systematic learning and has many of the benefits listed below. Foreign language distance learning combines all major speech functions (listening, reading, speaking and writing) alongside with the development of phonetics and vocabulary grammar skills. Meanwhile, students can organize training online according to the specific schedule of the course.

Learning a foreign language requires a systematic approach. This means the established training plan and taking into consideration the personal needs and interests of students. Usually, deviating from the usual system will bring certain advantages. Online platforms have such advantages for learning foreign languages.

Accessibility from any place. Online platforms for learning foreign languages can be available anytime, anywhere. Want to update your information? Absolutely correct! Just log in to your personal account. The online foreign language platform can be used anywhere in the world. If you have to go somewhere, you don't have to drop out of school. Besides, you do not have to carry a bag of textbooks at all. Everything exists in a given resource in electronic version, and you can turn to that resource at any time.

Individual courses. With the help of online platforms, you can create any course of any foreign language, depending on the student's goals and professional direction. Moreover, this course can be adapted at any stage, depending on students' academic performance. If a somebody already has a certain knowledge or is ahead of the training plan, the teacher can choose new materials for the lesson. A foreign language course can be adapted to professional goals, such as increasing professional vocabulary (teaching, psychology, etc.). This principle can be applied to classroom work through retraining students in different majors.).

Student success monitoring. Using online platforms for learning foreign languages one can record and watch videos of classes. Students can return to the materials they have studied at any time. After reviewing course records, methodologists make recommendations to teachers to improve their work or adapt the learning process. Furthermore, the online platform allows students to track their progress and analyze their speech speed, reaction speed and psychological state when making sentences.

Everything in one place. Teaching foreign languages using online platforms is very convenient as all the materials necessary for the course are in one place. At the moment, all-important information does not need to be searched for a long time. Here, the dictionary and exercise set are united into a system where it is easy and simple to search for the right exercises. Learning with online platforms, everything is at the disposal of everyone.

Time saving. Online platforms can control practically all the homework. This saves a lot of time and in addition testing is also available online. All the answers are checked automatically, with the exception of those tasks that only a teacher can control (an essay, for example).

Easy to use. Despite being quite innovative, online platforms for learning foreign languages have simple and intuitive interface. This enables students to work as effectively as they can, even inexperienced ones.

Application of the PBL principle. One of the most important teaching methods used to help students in solving a given task is problem-based learning. This method is applied in many disciplines, not only in the study of foreign languages. It is borrowed from the practice of interns, who in some urgent cases had to make the right decision and find ways to solve complex tasks. With the help of situation modeling this approach helps students to collect information and learn how to solve problems in the most efficient way. For instance, students were "assigned" to be the business owners. Within a limited period of time, they should decide on the name of the company, the form of its ownership, and moreover prepare to negotiate with some competitors. The purpose of such training is to practice vocabulary on the topic being studied. Let us consider one more example. A presentation should be prepared by students in a foreign language. Completing this task, they master their public speaking skills in front of people, which will for sure benefit him in the future. Thanks to the online platforms learning a foreign language, is much quicker and more effective because of the technical aspects of this process. For instance, a tutor can check students’ homework immediately.

Online platforms for learning foreign languages. Interactive online practice with teachers can be provided on different platforms. There are some tasks that you can correspond, or you can send voice messages and also it is possible to play. If you do not wish to work with a teacher then you can choose any country and exchange language knowledge with the buddy you like. Some other free useful functions are available in the online community: "Bulletin Board" is a forum where students share their experiences, play, learn languages; "Club Library" — allows you to get acquainted with common words and phrases with an audio recording. With the development of information technology, a large number of interactive educational platforms have appeared. That makes the process of learning foreign languages not only more effective, but also much more exciting. Some of the platforms are really effective due to attractive content and a spectacular combination of scientific and technological achievements. A three-step approach to learning English (or other languages) is practiced. First, you need to learn words and phrases for everyday life communication. After that, you will have to immerse yourself in the language environment. The services are based on the latest scientific data and technological innovations, and students are interested in learning new information. Impressive libraries of audio and video files are available on platforms where live speech is recorded in English. Each course contains a variety of videos with native speakers in their natural environment. At the third stage, the platforms recommend starting to speak without paying attention to grammar constructions. Thus, during practice, an understanding of grammatical constructions occurs. If you perceive information visually better, then you can choose certain platforms that can teach using video, where the user chooses the level of knowledge himself. They can offer video clips, news, movies, conferences and more.

Educational memory games help to improve the effectiveness of learning of foreign languages on some platforms. The developers also provide thrilling training using videos from native speakers, collections of basic phrases that will help you find your way in a foreign country: as well as interactive classes from professionals in various fields. One of the most significant benefits nowadays is that you can download these applications to a mobile phone, which guarantees much higher level of flexibility. Other non-standard services that improve your conversational skills should also be mentioned. On site special applications and courses are provided where students should repeat after the speaker, as well as give voice answers to tasks. The service can track pronunciation and correct it if necessary. Moreover, the user can decide on the level and the learning process itself. On the platform students can find many free life hacks with videos and podcasts about language learning techniques. To add some fun to a serious educational content and to please fans of long posts, special services can be created where each user can write posts on any topic and publish them. At the first opportunity, native speakers can edit them and explain some mistakes.

Nowadays, the most popular way to learn spoken English is with the help of online platforms and a lot of users choose this research area. Learning on online platforms usually focuses on conversational exercises while different courses vary grammar, phonetics, video/audio, games. Due to the compilation of teaching materials into video files, multiple viewing of the courses is available for students. The vast majority of platforms in demand for learning foreign languages provide a range of activities involving virtual interaction with native speakers and non-native speakers around the world. There you can talk to people from different countries and practice your spoken skills in the proses of cross-cultural communication, that can obviously broaden your mind and deepen your knowledge. High quality applications for mobile devices are provided by such modern resources as online platforms. The most advanced techniques are applied to learn foreign languages, for example, the speech recognition system, which uses dynamic and immersive interactive approaches.

Online education services with a large number of learning tools are popular for learning English and other foreign languages. The focus is on mastering skills needed to understand English or another language through listening, writing, grammar and vocabulary. To learn English effectively, you can use special simulators, movies and TV series. As a rule, there is a collection of exciting exercises, games and tasks that are constantly updated and suit all levels of English language learners. It is possible to find learning platforms for self-study and practice of foreign languages based on game mechanics. Interactive training, free authentic audiobooks and songs, video and stories. The character of the game will help you to do the exercises, and the level of the program will increase as your English skills improve. While learning games, you can read texts, listen to songs and watch TV series/shows, and learn any foreign language in such a way. Some of the most significant online language learning communities in the world can be organized for children and adults of all levels of proficiency. Usually there are different levels: beginners, special courses - business, travel, conversational, exam preparation. There is a flexible timetable and the possibility to independently select an interlocutor according to his age, position and interests.

Online platforms can be a great choice for those who want to learn foreign languages informally – a global society where you can find a teacher and a pal to exchange languages. This is easy to do: just choose the language you are interested in and your friend's native language, then you can have free practice, take part in disputes, do exercises and at the same time check your partner's language learning answers. Besides, in case of negative conversations, they are deleted immediately. Moreover, on some platforms, you can ask grammar questions and after completing the tasks, the teacher will check them. So far, some popular services are focused on learning foreign languages from the very beginning. In this case you can use a fun learning model. The Program of this course is compiled in the form of a “tree of success" where you must score a certain number of points for correct answers to move on to the next level. The goal of these services is to use technologies that let anyone who wants to undergo training similar to courses with instructors. Other platforms aim to accelerate language learning by using artificial intelligence and big data. These kind of programs can check the existing level of knowledge and skills of every student and then then adjust the teaching materials in real time and form a training course for an individual. There are about 1500 common words that are related to 80% of the situations you face in everyday life in any language. Algorithms guide you to the main vocabulary you use and extend this foundation. This approach can help you learn more effectively and quickly. Thus, the developers have designed an alternative in the form of online platforms, since many of them used to considering language courses too expensive, difficult to understand and uninteresting. The essence of their approach is the idea to learn a foreign language with the help of native speakers, practice continuously and do it free. With all the variety of choice, choosing the best online platform for learning English seems to be quite a difficult task. The British Council has developed free websites for children, teenagers and adults to learn English independently, which feature a variety of educational audio and video materials, games, reading materials, grammar and listening exercises and much more [1]. Among the most well-known platforms that are the most successful among users are the following: Coursera [2], Duolingo [3], Fluent [4], Lingualeo [5], Rosetta Stone [5], etc.

Thus, the atmosphere in classes of foreign language on online platforms is very vivid and what about modern technologies - they are simple and easy to use. Platforms provide students with the ability to interact with teachers, as well as a way to communicate with a computer and it can be carried out also with the help of simulators, as well as possibility to use the vide selection of different materials. Therefore, it is easy to understand not only for students with a high level of proficiency, but also for everyone who want to ensure that they speak freely learning a foreign language. All of the abovementioned advantages and benefits of learning foreign languages online became especially actual during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the opportunity to continue the educational process remotely and gain knowledge remained the only one available. Now, as before, more and more students prefer this method of learning and improving communication skills in foreign languages all over the world as here they can contact people from different countries and practice their conversational skills in the process of intercultural communication, which will undoubtedly broaden their horizons and deepen their knowledge.

1. British Council [Electronic resource]. Access mode https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/ Access date: 12.09.2024.
2. Coursera [Electronic resource]. Access mode: https://www.coursera.org. Access date: 12.09.2024.
3. Duolingo [Electronic resource]. Access mode: https://www.duolingo.com. Access date: 12.09.2024.
4. FluentU [Electronic resource]. Access mode:  https://www.fluentu.com/english/. Date of receipt: 12.09.2024.
5. Lingualeo [Electronic resource]. Access mode: http://lingualeo.com/ru#welcome. Access date: 12.09.2024.
6. Rosetta stone [Electronic resource]. Access mode: http://www.rosettastone.eu. Date of receipt: 12.09.2024.