In today’s fast-paced digital era, the way children learn in online classes for primary and secondary levels has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the days of merely adapting traditional pen and paper, or even the need for a classroom. With the rise of technology, online English tuition has emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to traditional physical lessons.
But which is the better choice for your child? Let us delve into the pros and cons of each, and you can decide for yourself!
The first obvious advantage of live online classes for children is the unparalleled amount of convenience it can offer – with just a stable internet connection and a computer, your children can access quality education from the comfort of their homes.
This eliminates the need for physical travel, saves time, and allows for flexible scheduling. The sheer amount of time saved makes online tuition an attractive option for busy families in Singapore. Rushing through traffic or transport delays would be a non-issue.
One of the key advantages of online English tuition is the potential for personalised learning experiences. Virtual classrooms enable tutors to adapt their teaching methods to cater to each child’s unique learning style, pace, and needs. With the use of a myriad interactive tools and multimedia resources, tutors can provide targeted guidance to help students overcome whatever specific challenges they may have.
The end result? Our teachers can also better fine tune their support for your children. By tapping into the various unique strengths and weaknesses of each student, this personalised approach may lead to improved learning outcomes and increased confidence among children.
Compared to physical lessons, classes conducted online can actually be more interactive than you’d think. Teachers can easily motivate their students to be active participants in the learning process even through their screens by engaging them in a multitude of activities ranging from group discussions to educational games and quizzes through Zoom.
One example of such quizzes is Kahoot, a popular game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create and share interactive quizzes with their students. This flexible amount of customisation aims to reinforce learning in a fun and engaging way, and helps teachers keep track of any students who may be unclear on certain content.
The game-based nature of Kahoot quizzes motivates students to participate actively in the lesson. Students can take part in friendly competition to score higher than their peers, turning each lesson into a hands-on learning experience.
Although we wouldn’t wish for another pandemic or circuit breaker anytime soon, the fact is that digital learning is here to stay, and developing digital literacy skills would not hurt.
Getting used to online tuition, and the various educational tools and platforms alongside it, can provide an immersive and interactive learning experience, sparking a greater interest and passion for learning of the English language.
This exposure to digital learning prepares children to thrive in a technology-driven future.
While online English tuition offers convenience, the truth is that it may not be able to match the depth of social interaction that physical lessons provide. Being able to see and analyse non-verbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, can all go a long way in enhancing understanding and communication, and promotes the development of social skills and collaboration.
And of course, there’s the fact that online tuition typically involves sitting for extended periods, which may result in reduced physical activity compared to physical lessons, potentially making them feel more lethargic. Zoom fatigue can be a very real issue.
Online tuition does not always go smoothly. Technical issues such as internet connectivity problems or software glitches can disrupt the learning experience and cause frustration for both children and tutors. These issues can appear even after preventive measures, making it difficult for students to follow the lesson and engage in real-time interactions.
Moreover, children may face distractions at home, such as family members, pets, or electronic devices, which can impact their focus and engagement during online sessions. It can be all too easy to suddenly find ourselves wanting to check out social media or play an online game when they’re just one tab away during a lesson.
While these issues may steer you away from enrolling your child in online lessons, do consider that an experienced online teacher and a robust online curriculum can allow your child to reap the benefits of online tuition.
Seasoned educators adept at conducting online lessons can create engaging and interactive learning environments, and provide personalised attention to each student. A structured online curriculum ensures that learning is not compromised, offering a seamless transition from traditional to online classrooms.
Moreover, the flexibility of online classes allows students to learn at their own pace at any location. Embracing the potential of technology in education opens up a world of possibilities, making learning accessible, dynamic, and tailored to the unique needs of each student.
In the Singapore context, the debate between online English tuition and physical lessons for children is a multifaceted one. Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks, and it is up to you to choose based on your preferences, scheduling constraints, and your child’s learning style. One could even consider a balanced approach that combines the benefits of both methods.
This is why Write Edge (WE) offers both online and physical lessons in classrooms, to suit the needs of students and parents alike. If you are interested in either of our options, be it online or physical classes, feel free to reach out to us through our website or email, and we’d be happy to assist in any queries you may have!
In small class sizes of 6-8, our dedicated teachers will help your child reach their learning goals from the comfort of your home. There is always an online small group tuition option for you at Write Edge!