Times are changing. Globalisation is now well-established, and intercultural exchange is the new normal. More and more of us want to learn to speak a second, or even a third language.
There’s no time like the present to get started, but several questions arise when choosing an e-learning language tool: what type of content are you looking for for your learners? What teaching methods are most appropriate? And much more.
There are plenty of language-learning solutions to choose from. GlobalExam, an online language-learning platform, has created courses specific to certain goals (learning a new language for leisure, developing business English skills for work, or even preparing a language exam) in an effort to provide targeted language training.
Are you looking for an e-learning platform to boost your learners’ language level? Here are 10 essential criteria to focus on when selecting an e-learning tool, which will help you find the solution most in line with your students’ needs:
- A catalogue of rich content
The content offered on the platform should be varied and comprehensive. How many hours of training are available? Is this enough to allow your students to work and make progress throughout their course?
“In order to progress, users must be able to assess their successes and access detailed corrections and explanations”
- Quality content
The quality of your content is as (if not more) important as its quantity. Pedagogical quality is key when it comes to language learning. Take the time to try the platform and see how you feel about its overall content.
- Diverse learning materials and exercises
Videos, images, and texts, but also multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, readings, audio recordings… Today, technology works miracles! Look into the learning materials included and check what types of exercises are available.
- Well-organised activities
How is the content organised on the site? You’ll generally have 2 possibilities: jumbled content, from which to pick a selection, or training courses to help users organise their progress.
- Well-constructed corrections and explanations
What could be more frustrating than working diligently and receiving no feedback on your activity? In order to progress, users must be able to assess their successes and access detailed corrections and explanations. Even better: some tools might suggest, at the end of an activity, additional exercises or revision worksheets to further explore each subject.
- Visual and inspirational progress tracking
To complete their training courses, learners need to see their progress regularly. Many options are possible: tables, charts, figures, histograms… The important thing is for them to see the progress they made!
- Genuinely useful statistics for you
Find out about the possibility of accessing activity reports. Is there a dedicated portal? Can your service provider provide you with clear and regular data? These statistics will give you an overview of your learner’s progress.
- A clear and well-organised platform
Your first impression is essential. Are the activities easily accessible? Do you instinctively know how to navigate the site? Don’t waste your energy: if you’re not comfortable, it’s unlikely that your learners will be, and therefore unlikely that they will want to work regularly with this solution.
- Help using the platform
Your service provider should be able to provide you with some basic user support tools, for you and your learners: FAQs, tutorials, user guides… Even better: does your package include face-to-face or distance workshops to get started with the platform?
- A privileged interlocutor
Encountering a problem when you want to analyse your users’ results, wasting time looking for the licences you have left, not finding your password… in all these situations, and many others, isn’t it easier to pick up the phone and get help in minutes?
Dedicated support is an important quality to look for in your e-learning partner!
As our CEO Charles-Eliott Debourdeau says, “Language shouldn’t be a barrier!”
When he created GlobalExam, he made a promise to empower everyone, everywhere, to succeed. Students need quick, precise results to face their concrete challenges.
“Today everyone has become an active player in their training, which should be engaging, effective, and perfectly tailored to individual goals,” he says.
“Language training has changed. Have you?
“Let’s develop your learners’ skills with the e-learning solution you need.”
About the author: This article is sponsored by Adrian Roulier, Strategic Account Manager and EMEA Business Development Director at GlobalExam. GlobalExam is the edtech company specialised in ultra-personalised language training. Its mission? To enable everyone to reach their goals, whether personal or professional, thanks to languages. Its solutions include training courses to learn foreign languages and to prepare for the most important international language tests. Thanks to tailor-made learning and individualised follow-up, GlobalExam supports 1.5 million GlobalPlayers in 80 countries and more than 1,500 companies, training organisations and higher education institutions in their language training.
