Learning English: better alone or in a group?
For some young people, studying is a tiring activity. The topic may be uninteresting, or there may not be enough motivation to invest a few hours in front of the books. Things get complicated if the subject is demanding, as the study of a foreign language can be.
Studying English may not be as easy and immediate as it seems. Some young people, even if they want to achieve goals, find it difficult to concentrate, memorize and improve their language skills.
We often wonder if there are techniques or tricks to make this experience less difficult and to obtain results without too much effort. Given that nothing is achieved without a little effort, there are some valid and recognized methods to learn English and be able to speak fluently. These include Summer English Courses, Daily Immersion Techniques and English Living. However, we do not dwell on a secondary aspect, but equally important. What is the optimal study size, alone or in a group? To understand which is the best, we have prepared a list of pros and cons.
Learning English in a group: pros and cons
For some students, group study is an effective technique for achieving better results.
Not only in the case of a foreign language. Even for doing homework after class, getting together is an opportunity to make the experience less boring and burdensome. Everything feels lighter, because you don't have to carry this weight alone.
In the case of the English language, being with a friend who shares the same learning goals can increase motivation and make goals more achievable. In fact, when you're together, it's easier to support and help each other. You can do the exercises, exchange opinions and talk to each other, having immediate feedback on the notions learned.
Whether it's an Italian or English course, together we can arrange to enroll in lessons. The experience will seem much more fun and easier to complete, especially during the summer holidays, when you have a thousand reasons to get distracted. You can take summer English courses, or organize private group lessons with a native speaker teacher. This way, you can also split the costs.
More adventurous students can also decide to leave together for a stay in English. So we can support each other, away from home and in a challenging environment.
However, when we get together, it's easy to find opportunities to distract ourselves. Studying can be lighter, but there can be many reasons to take a break, change the subject and not complete your homework. The same goes for summer English courses. There is a risk of not taking the commitment seriously and forgetting about the goals. Furthermore, in groups, the lessons have a general program and often it is not possible to satisfy the needs of individuals.
In the case of an English holiday, traveling together can be fun. But it should not be forgotten that the purpose of the stay in English is to immerse yourself in an environment where only the foreign language is spoken. Especially if you decide to stay with a local family. If you share the same accommodation, you may end up speaking your own language and not English.
Learning English by yourself: pros and cons
Studying English on your own can be an equally effective way to make progress in less time. This is due to the fact that it is easier to focus on goals and invest the time necessary to achieve them. Study sessions can be organized freely, also enjoying a more peaceful and quiet environment.
To make the most of your cognitive abilities, one of the most common tips is to choose a noise-free environment. Silence can improve your ability to learn and retain information, as the brain is not overstimulated and can put all of its energy into one goal.
When you study in a group this is very difficult as you tend to communicate with others. The mind cannot fully concentrate on a task, but must interact with people in the same environment.
As far as summer English courses are concerned, private lessons can be more expensive, but have the advantage that they can be planned with personal goals in mind.
If you decide to go on a holiday in English, you also have the advantage of being completely immersed in an environment where no one speaks your language. In fact, there will be no friends to talk to after class, and communication will only be in English. For some this may be a sacrifice, but for a few weeks it can be resisted. After all, setting off on your own is also an adventure in which you can discover many things about yourself and your own resources.
However, studying alone also has disadvantages. For less motivated young people, it may be boring, requiring many breaks and taking too long to complete a task. Also, without other people to speak English to, there is no immediate feedback and no one can discuss doubts and difficulties.
Is it better to learn English alone or in a group?
As we have seen, both studying English alone and in a group have pros and cons. Choosing which of the two is better depends largely on learning style and personal preferences.
Studying English on your own can be beneficial because it allows you to work at your own pace and focus on areas where you lack the most. It can also be more flexible and convenient because you can choose when and where to study.
On the other hand, group study also has advantages. It provides an opportunity to practice knowledge with others and receive instant feedback. Making an agreement and attending summer English courses with friends is a good strategy to stay motivated and not get bored. Plus, it can be a fun social experience that provides an opportunity to meet new people with similar goals and interests.
Ultimately, it is up to the student to understand which choice to make. A good idea might be to try both options. Thus it is possible to understand which of the two is better and to combine the concentration of self-study with the exchange of feedback and the support of group study.