Learning English as a Second Language by Webcam As you opened up this article, you no doubt have a view on web-cams? As yet I don’t have one, and regard them as a bit of an intrusion. This is probably my Luddite tendencies showing themselves, as I understand that video phone calls via the internet are very popular. Web cams do have (in my mind at least) some ‘seedy’ connotations though, don’t they? Nothing is hidden on some sites! The other day, however, I came across the Webcam being used as a teaching tool. An up to date way to get a teacher and a student together across the continents.

Actually this is an excellent idea, with numerous advantages for the student: a native speaking teacher on demand (almost); help with preparing meetings or lectures; revision of things learnt in a more conventional setting (the classroom or the language laboratory for example); even just some conversation practice. I’ve just checked out what a Luddite is: someone ‘who opposes the advance of technology due to the cultural changes that are associated with it’. I’m not one of those really, as I can see, as I hope you can, that teaching English via the webcam could be an excellent way of linking a skill with a need for a fraction of the cost (cash and time) of some of the more conventional teaching methods available in the marketplace.

The advantages are clear: experienced teachers available at times convenient to the student; businessman and school student alike able to access native speakers and get quality training without leaving their home, let alone their country; reduced impact on the environment (a Webcam doesn’t have a large Carbon footprint, does it?); a cost effective way of staff getting top-up lessons after that expensive stay in the US or UK; a readily available expert to help tune that presentation or prepare for that meeting. The disadvantages are less obvious: for some, no computer (obvious) or a computer that’s not up to the connection speeds and criteria necessary for a goof webcam session, would make this an impractical method; one hour slots don’t allow for teaching tangents – a student’s attention span dictates an hour as the ideal time for any teaching session; if this type of teaching isn’t well administered, frustration and non-availability of teachers could easily negate the benefits.

Andrew is a qualified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher, with 15 years experience of the global Automotive Industry as a Sales manager with an International component and systems supplier. For more information about learning Business English, visit the Lets Talk 2 website http://lets-talk2.com/_wsn/page2.html or for more detail on Web-based learning, visit:BELT Live http://lets-talk2.com/_wsn/page2.html