…So we here at Languagelab have decided to give you 10 handy questions that any student wanting to learn a language efficiently and effectively need to ask before they join one of the many schools out there on virtual platforms… Happy Reading:

1. Are the people ‘teaching’ you qualified teachers? (Meaning both qualified to teach the language as well as qualified in teaching on a virtual platform)

2. Will you get the chance to actually hear the teachers speak as well as respond using live voice?

3. Does the school offer a SIM populated by native speakers to practice using the language wherever and whenever convenient for you?

4. Does the course structure and study pedagogy comply with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR)?

5. Will you be able to receive ‘live’ technical assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

6. Are the staff and student population based in over 50 countries worldwide?

7. Did the school invest in and implement over 4000 hours of student testing to back it’s system?

8. Does the school have years of experience in the virtual environment since its establishment?

9. Does the school encourage forming active student groups and communities to participate in independent yet mutually beneficial projects?

10. Is the organisation behind the school socially ethical? Do they participate and/or contribute to real life global issues such as the China Earthquake Relief Fund?

…If you are already a student with us at Languagelab, then fortunately you can confidently answer ‘YES’ to all 10 essential questions plus more… But more importantly: if not, then please feel free to use this checklist.

We guarantee that you won’t find such a high level of language learning that is both effective and fun in any other virtual ’school’ . If you do manage to find a school that meets all the above criteria, then by all means – lets us know and we WILL match it!