How modern research-based language instruction can help you learn English more effectively.

English: The global communication system

English is spoken by over a billion people globally, or about 17% of the world’s population (British Council, 2013). Of those roughly one billion speakers, only 25% of them are native, meaning that 3 out of every 4 speakers use English as their second or additional language. As a result of its global reach, English has now become the language of international business, finance, technology, law, and trade. Surveys show that the vast majority of employers consider English to be a necessary skill for the workplace, with many companies requiring it during the hiring process (Cambridge Assessment English, 2016). Because of this, learning English well is more essential than ever. The ability to communicate in English is one of the key factors in accessing better careers and higher-paying opportunities. Given its importance, where can one go to learn English? One option that many students opt for is to enroll in a language school. After all, schools are typically the primary source for acquiring most skills; why not utilize them to learn English?

How Traditional Language schools help students establish a foundation

Traditional language schools typically provide organized, teacher-centered language instruction that offers students a controlled environment to help them focus on their learning. This approach combines a structured curriculum with standardized assessments to measure students' progress in the language over time. All of this instruction provides a necessary foundation for learning the English language, but it doesn't always translate into the ability to use the language effectively in real-world situations. This is a well-known limitation of traditional teaching methods. Modern language schools address this gap by prioritizing practical communication skills in the classroom, providing their students plenty of practice using the language.

Modern language schools in the 21st century

Modern language schools use newer techniques and the latest research to enhance students' English abilities through proven methods, utilizing immersion-based learning, interactive classrooms, and a focus on real-life communication. They also make effective use of technology to create interactive and engaging learning environments, using tools like smartboards, digital apps, and even online games to minimize stress and maximize student engagement. Furthermore, the flexibility of modern schools enables learners to tailor their lessons to meet their specific needs and goals. This lets students improve their English skills based on how much they learn, not just how long they spend in class. The focus then becomes on group communication and ensuring students develop real fluency in the language. But it's not simply the newest techniques and the latest research that lead to successful language learners; students also need the professional guidance of experienced teachers to take their English abilities to the next level.

The importance of professional teachers

Studies reveal that students benefit the most from structured guidance and teaching, especially in the beginning stages of language learning. In 2020, the UK Education Endowment Fund commissioned a rapid evidence-based assessment of language learning. It found that the teacher’s skills are one of the most important factors in language education (Murphy et al., 2020). This is because experienced language teachers understand that what learners really need is plenty of real-life practice using the language. Experienced teachers use authentic, engaging materials to simulate real-life situations. These roleplays remove the stress that comes from real-life encounters, giving students a safe environment to practice their English skills. Unfortunately, teachers are busy people with demanding lives and cannot be available for their students 24/7. AI tools, however, can address this problem.

How AI can boost your language learning

In order for language learners to become truly fluent in English, students will need far more speaking practice than a classroom can reasonably provide. Language schools can solve this dilemma by using AI to generate dozens of unique role-playing simulations for their learners, such as practicing ordering at a coffee shop or even preparing for an upcoming job interview. These simulations provide learners with authentic and repeated use of English outside the classroom, without the added stress that real-life encounters create. But not all uses of AI are created equal. Language schools need to provide their learners with a clear structure that takes advantage of AI but doesn't rely on it.

Building a better language learning experience

At Choc Education, we combine the best parts of traditional and modern teaching methods to create a structured and rigorous English learning experience for our students. By taking advantage of AI’s strengths, we supplement our language instruction with generated content to simulate authentic practice that provides a safe space for our students to test out their knowledge of English. We use AI to track student performance in both the classroom and in their simulated practice. These insights provide immediate, targeted feedback that helps our students improve quickly and effectively. Our structured, integrated approach combines expert instruction with modern technology to create a high-quality learning experience for our learners. This is how our students move from simply studying English to actually using it confidently and clearly in real-world contexts that matter to them.

References

British Council. (2013). The English effect. https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/english-effect-report-v2.pdf⁠

Cambridge Assessment English. (2016). English at work: Global analysis of language skills in the workplace (Executive summary) https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/335794-english-at-work-executive-summary.pdf⁠

Murphy, V. A., Arndt, H., Briggs Baffoe-Djan, J., Chalmers, H., Macaro, E., Rose, H., Vanderplank, R., & Woore, R. (2020). Foreign language learning and its impact on wider academic outcomes: A rapid evidence assessment. Education Endowment Foundation. https://d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/documents/pages/Foreign_language_learning_and_its_impact_on_wider_academic_outcomes_-_A_rapid_evidence_assessment.pdf?v=1771585758