Learning Through Correspondence Courses

There are many different ways to learn a second language but one of the most enjoyable and flexible ways to do so is to take part in a correspondence course. These courses offer you the same degree of learning as a university or college but can be fitted into your busy lifestyle; making sure you don’t miss out.

What is a Correspondence Course?

Many people refer to correspondence courses as distance learning courses these days; the reason for this being that you are working on your course from a distance and you are not required to spend time travelling to and from college or university or evening class.

The other big advantage to such courses is that you set the pace at which you learn. Obviously your distance learning tutor will give you deadlines to meet for the return of essays etc but other than these dates you are free to work to your own schedule.

Learning a Language

When it comes to correspondence courses (distance learning courses) there really are very few limits as to the topics available but one of the most commonly taken courses is those that deal with learning a language. We in the United Kingdom obviously have English as our first language and during our schooling will learn principally French or German as a second but with a correspondence course you can learn any one of hundreds of different languages.

In addition to simply learning how to speak the language these courses will also show you how to use your chosen language to write.

At What Level Can I Learn?

Some correspondence courses offer you the opportunity to learn a language fluently or simply give you the chance to learn enough to get by when you go on holiday. However with many hundreds of thousands of people leaving the United Kingdom in search of a new life abroad the opportunity to learn in depth a second language is one that many find hard to pass up.

Depending on the organisation running the correspondence course (and there are many to choose from just by searching the Internet alone) you can study to GCSE, A Level or Degree standard. Again the level of study is indicative of (a) how much time you want to spend learning your second language and (b) how much money you have to spend.

What Form Will My Correspondence Course Take?

Some organisations will send you all of your correspondence course literature via the postal system. You will receive all of the material you will need to complete each module of your course as well as audio cassettes or CD-ROMs containing verbal examples of the phrases and dialogue you need to learn.

Alternatively – and this is fast becoming the more popular option – you can log on to the organisation’s website with your own unique username and password and download all the information you need from there as well as being able to see and hear examples of the phrases you need.

Many people now find this the best and easiest way to work because they don’t have to be at home in order to do it. Some do it during their lunch breaks at work or even whilst staying with friends or family.

Visiting a Distance Learning Centre

Some organisations running correspondence courses have learning centres dotted up and down the country which means that you can – if you wish to – visit a centre and take the time to sit with a tutor and go over your work so far or work to come. This is sometimes a good idea as it can be a little frustrating if you have a question but don’t have anyone to hand to answer it for you. Although a lot of online correspondence courses now offer instant messaging facilities and have tutors online for several hours a day.

Further Information

For more information on distance learning you can check in your local telephone directories for a list of local centres or search the Internet. Alternatively your local college or school that runs night classes should be able to provide you with a list of language courses they operate or have access to.