October Roundup: Language Classes 🏫
And the leap from a self-study routine to seeking professional instruction
After talking about how I felt I needed more focused instruction to help me fill in the gaps with Japanese and help me advance, I found two grammar tutors on iTalki to assist me with a textbook that had been challenging for me to complete. The hour-long sessions were conducted weekly, specifically on Saturday or Sunday mornings. While I was excited about it at first, I eventually found it to be tedious and not worth the money. Initially, I assumed the issue was because of a lack of connection with the tutors, which is why I worked with two for a over a month each. But at the risk of sounding quite self-deprecating, the problem was actually me. (/cue Taylor Swift song)
These weekly sessions fed into my tendency for laziness, leading me to believe that I could forego daily reviews and simply rely on intensive weekend studying. Despite understanding the necessity of consistent effort, grammar has always been something I found really tedious and postpone it. As a result, adopting a weekly class schedule turned out to be self-sabotage. There was a part of me that believed I could afford this approach because I was investing in professional guidance. However, I also found myself frustrated when my teachers information that I could have easily learned from YouTube videos and Google searches.
However, some form of instruction is better than none, right? Keeping this in mind, I impulsively enrolled in an advanced small group class at the end of September and am enjoying them immensely. They take place thrice a week on weekdays, each session lasting an hour and a half. This schedule allows me to engage in consistent practice while still having the freedom to unwind and go out on weekends.
Interestingly, while one-on-one lessons provide the opportunity to have your teacher’s full attention, I found group classes motivate me more by tapping into my inherent fear of being the least capable person in the room. As a result, I am encouraged to understand and complete the expected work.
🎒Which class style is the right one for me?
If you're on the fence about whether to take one-on-one classes compared to group classes, the following questions may help:
Do you prefer one-on-one interaction?
Do you need personalized feedback?
Do you have specific language goals?
Are you willing to pay more for individual attention?
Do you have a flexible schedule?
Do you prefer a self-paced learning style?
Are you comfortable with the idea of focusing on your weaknesses?
If you answered yes to most of these, then a language tutor may be beneficial for you. However, I also encourage you to also consider group classes, as they provide exposure to peers at your current language level. This can foster a healthy competitive spirit in a supportive environment.
📊 October Study Stats
My study hours for Japanese doubled from September, a fact that makes me feel extremely pleased with my decision to invest in language classes. I’m also thrilled that I finally can get immediate corrective feedback, you guys! Moreover, being able to identify my strengths and weaknesses compared to my classmates who work in professional office settings has been eye-opening. If possible, I’d like to keep taking group classes until I build self-confidence in using honorific language.
How are your studies going?
Thank you for being so honest about your hardships! It's really motivating to learn from your experience. I think I would only consider 1:1 classes for conversation practice, but again, wouldn't feel more comfortable with a friend? Maybe I'll try a language class with other people if I learn a new language! 😊
I really miss language classes! I doubt they're more efficient than individual lessons but they are so much fun (unless your classmates suck, but then you can always change groups). Would love to fit in group classes into my learning journey now, but my schedule is already pretty tight.