Learn Vietnamese: Self-paced vs The Classroom

Learning a second language can be beneficial in so many ways. So, you want to improve your language skill by learning a new one and when you start on it you might ask yourself should I take a class or get an material and learn it myself? Many people prefer learning in a traditional classroom environment due to the live human interactions. On the other hand, others prefer the self-paced nature of learning on their own time, and in the comfort of their own place. Which is better? The classroom environment or self-paced learning?

Learning Vietnamese in a classroom environment

A classroom is a traditional place for teaching and learning activities. There are instructors who teach and give lectures and there are students who come to class at a certain day of a week to listen to the instructors' lectures, discuss with classmates and review assignments.

Advantages

  • Helps to promote a collaborative learning in which you have a chance to discuss and argue live with your classmates and the instructor.
  • Provides social interactions through studying with other classmates who are from different views and learning levels. Such experience are valuable in shaping your communication and social skills.

Disadvantages

  • Be dependent on the instructor and the class rigid structure.
  • Have group pressure when other people don't have the same learning level as yours.
  • Might have to sacrifice other activities to go to class in a particular day.
  • Can be a lot more expensive in terms of tuition fees, textbooks, and other expenses.

Learning Vietnamese via self-paced learning

Self-paced learning is an alternative learning method in which there are no scheduled classes or homework. It is a great idea for those who require flexible schedules. This method also allows one to control their lessons according to their learning style.

Advantages

  • Be able to control the pace of the learning process. You can spend more time on the part you find hard to understand and less on those you find easy to pass. It is hard to learn at the same pace as everybody else.
  • Be flexible in deciding when you want to learn and how quickly you want to learn. You can learn at anytime in a week instead of going to class particular days as well as ending the chapter in 30 minutes instead of 2 hours classroom time.
  • No assignment and exam stress.
  • Convenient for busy adults.
  • Save money and traveling time. You don't have to pay for expenses such as tuition fees, textbooks, bags, petrol, parking fees, etc.

Disadvantages

  • No instructor and classmates. You will be on your own.
  • Requires some level of self-motivation.

Both self-paced learning and the classroom environment have advantages and disadvantages. It depends on your learning style. However, self-paced learning has quickly become a popular method for many Vietnamese language learners, especially those with busy schedules. The Internet has changed the way in which we learn. With this kind of convenience, more people can now learn from the comfort of their homes. You can buy language study materials online for self-learning just by a click on the Internet.

I had experience with both of the methods and I preferred self-paced learning when learning a second language. I find myself more actively pursuing the material. I bought two Asian Language learning materials, Vietnamese for Beginners and Speak Like a Thai, on Paiboon Publishing website, www.paiboonpublishing.com.au, to learn how to speak an Asian language myself. I am very happy with their high quality products and they have everything I need for "my own classroom" such as audio CDs, DVDs, books, and booklets. Now I don't need to go to class because I can do it myself.