Should you learn Spanish on line? Of course! Isn’t it best to go abroad to learn a language?
Yes, with some caveats. Do you have to go abroad to learn a language? No, it’s entirely possible to use the internet and learn Spanish very well.
So many studies these days are touting the benefits of studying abroad for optimal language acquisition, and there are indeed benefits. I am not disputing that, however, this is the way that I see it:
* Studying abroad is not an option for everyone, at least right away, and there are a variety of reasons for this. It should not be a limitation.
* A language learner will get more out of being able to study abroad if they have a proper foundation of the basics to begin with.
Going overseas is exciting, sure, but it can also be:
* Overwhelming- Culture shock is real.
* Time consuming- Not everyone has space in their work or school schedule to go for the amount of time it generally takes to start from the ground up and come out ahead.
* Expensive- There are some areas of the world that are very affordable, but most of those areas are a bit non-traditional, and most people going overseas to learn a language want a rounded experience with a lot of support. This can be costly, and not everyone has the money for these things, especially in this economy.
Any of the points made above are potential stumbling blocks for new language learners, but they don’t have to be obstacles. If a new learner makes the choice to learn Spanish online first, then the majority of the issues can be worked around. With a solid foundation in the basics, a trip abroad can have, or be:
* Less culture shock, because something is known about the language.
* Less time consuming, because the learner will not have to stay as long, and can use the time in country to focus on gaining more in depth skills.
* Less expensive, because with basic Spanish language skills, it is entirely possible to become a tutor, or find some other kind of language related work to help off set the cost of the trip.
Going abroad is still an excellent choice, and is highly recommended, but when done after the fundamentals are mastered, time spent abroad is more cost-effective overall, and can become less of a stumbling block for the majority of people. To learn Spanish on line is to make a wise decision for the future.












