Language Courses: How to Find the Right One for You

There's a whole jungle of language courses out there. If you want to learn a new language, you have to know which kind of course suits you so that you don't end up spending money on courses which don't help you. And believe me, language learning resources can be quite expensive.

On Monday, I posted about how to find out which type of language learner you are. The right language course for you strongly depends on your type of learning, so if you haven't already found out about it, I recommend you should.

Advice for Written Focus Learners

Language learners with a written focus (like myself, btw) like to figure out things on their own. They need a good course book, excercises and grammar explanations, and a dictionary, but not necessarily a teacher.

How to find a good course book and grammar book?

When you look for a good course book, look inside. Have a look at the first chapter to make sure you understand the explanations and the general set-up of the book. Then have a look at a chapter farther into the book to find out if the book is in-depth enough for you, and whether it advances too fast or too slow. Make sure it contains the solutions for any excercises as well.

As for a grammar book, you definitely have to look inside as well. Read the content page to find out if all the topics you need are included. Then have a look at certain topics like verb tenses and prepositions to see how well and comprehensive they are explained. Does the grammar book contain examples? Does it even contain excercises?

Advice for Oral Focus Learners

Language learners with an oral focus often learn best in groups. They need to listen to and to speak the new language. Therefore, a language course at a public school or with a private teacher generally suits those learners best.

How to find a good course or a good teacher?

One rule says: The more students per course, the less teacher time per student. An ideal language course shouldn't have more than five or six students so that the teacher has enough time to focus on each student's problems. Furthermore, the teacher should have experience in teaching. It isn't enough to have a degree in teaching (and some great teachers have no degree at all). Ask for his references concerning his teaching and language skills.

Most language teachers work with a certain course book. Ask in advance which one is used and have a look at it. Does it have group excercises and role plays? Are the texts spoken on a CD? Does it seem interesting and are the chapters well structured?


No matter which learner type you are and which course you choose in the end, you have to feel comfortable with it. Otherwise, you will always associate the language with negative feelings like boredom or frustration.