OP5 : What do you think are the potential benefits and limitations of online learning applications for English education in Korea?

Seyoung Yoon Thu May 01 2008, 11:03

What do you think are the potential benefits and limitations of online learning applications for English education in Korea? Support your opinion with details and examples.

In Korea, the Internet Technology is developing beyond our imagination. It affects in lifestyles of Koreans and even in education. Online learning is one of the examples. Studying via internet gives students opportunities to receive the education which is good quality. However it also deprive students from the chance to interact with friends or teachers.

The most well-known characteristic of Internet is that we can access any information whenever we want. In this aspect, online learning would be a great chance for students to take famous teachers' lectures. For example, TOEIC is very important to the student who is preparing to apply for the companies. The main thing is TOEIC is quite skillful that it can be affected by the teacher who summarize and classify the key points. The students who live in Seoul easily get these kinds of information compared to the students in region. However the situation has been changed since the online learning was adapted. Everyone can take any courses through internet wherever place they live. Therefore the equality of opportunity is realized.

Even though tele-learning is one of the benefits of online English learning, it is the only situation when we don't need to the reaction of the one with whom we communicate. In case of speaking-listening is all right, because it is one way learning so that we don't need to answer-the learner's ability can be improved getting feedback from the fellows. Online learning takes these chances from students. As a second language learner, when students make mistakes, it should be corrected right away. Although it is able to offer interaction with video chatting to certain extent, it cannot be as perfect as real case. In addition, the online learning application hugely depends on the learner's attitude. If the students are not good at time managing or pertinacious, the good results cannot be expected.

Consequently, online learning application for English learning provides plenty of information and courses which wasn't possible for the local students. On the other hand, it deprives the right corrections or reactions which are needed to become a good English speaker. It means that Online learning should be used as a supplementary application only.