Comments on: The Proof that Language Learning Communities are the most efficient way of learning right now http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/ Language Coach & Online Education Expert Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:00:09 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Russ http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-335 Russ Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:41:06 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-335 <a href="http://Englishtutorials.net" rel="nofollow">Englishtutorials.net</a> is a newly launched language community via Skype. Englishtutorials.net is a newly launched language community via Skype.

]]> By: KirstenWinkler http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-326 KirstenWinkler Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:06:12 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-326 Should be 11am your time. Should be 11am your time.

]]> By: AnneHwang http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-324 AnneHwang Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:24:20 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-324 Thanks Kristen! I registered already! Just wanted to make sure. What time is the conference US pacific standard time? Thanks Kristen! I registered already! Just wanted to make sure. What time is the conference US pacific standard time?

]]> By: KirstenWinkler http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-322 KirstenWinkler Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:39:25 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-322 Thank you Anne. It's always great to know that people actually can take something out of this blog.<br><br>Yo should also join the E-Teachers Conference next monday. It's free and some of the leaders of the education industry will be there and discuss about lesson slides and virtual classrooms. The link is <a href="http://etcon.eteachersacademy.com" rel="nofollow">http://etcon.eteachersacademy.com</a> Thank you Anne. It's always great to know that people actually can take something out of this blog.

Yo should also join the E-Teachers Conference next monday. It's free and some of the leaders of the education industry will be there and discuss about lesson slides and virtual classrooms. The link is http://etcon.eteachersacademy.com

]]> By: AnneHwang http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-321 AnneHwang Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:30:26 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-321 Thank you kristen! I'll look into the sites you mentioned. It's great to get updates on this industry from an experienced person like you! I really appreciate your help cause I had lots of question but didn't know where to look to for answers. Thank you kristen! I'll look into the sites you mentioned. It's great to get updates on this industry from an experienced person like you! I really appreciate your help cause I had lots of question but didn't know where to look to for answers.

]]> By: KirstenWinkler http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-320 KirstenWinkler Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:47:17 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-320 Hi Anne,<br>welcome to my blog :) glad to have you here.<br><br>If you are thinking about South America you should check out <a href="http://Livemocha.com" rel="nofollow">Livemocha.com</a>. Right now they are more a language learning community but they are switching to a model where teachers / tutors will be able to give paid lessons. Nevertheless it is a great place to make contacts to potential students. And they have over 3 million members. With Livemocha you also cover the indian market.<br><br>For Asia it would be <a href="http://italki.com" rel="nofollow">italki.com</a>. They are one of the oldest platforms and there is a lot going on there right now. I will post some news about italki tomorrow.<br><br>Then you should definitely check out <a href="http://edufire.com" rel="nofollow">edufire.com</a>. With the new SuperPass they offer there is a huge potential on that platform for language teachers.<br><br>The difference between learning communities and teaching platforms is that communites like <a href="http://Livemocha.com" rel="nofollow">Livemocha.com</a>, <a href="http://italki.com" rel="nofollow">italki.com</a>, <a href="http://Busuu.com" rel="nofollow">Busuu.com</a> and <a href="http://Babbel.com" rel="nofollow">Babbel.com</a> are build around content like flash cards. The student learns alone but can connect with other students who will correct the exercises or chat with each other / language exchange. But this segment of the market is changing right now into an implemented teaching approach.<br><br>Teaching platforms like <a href="http://Myngle.com" rel="nofollow">Myngle.com</a>, <a href="http://edufire.com" rel="nofollow">edufire.com</a> and <a href="http://WiZiQ.com" rel="nofollow">WiZiQ.com</a> focus on the teaching in a virtual classroom, offering one on one or group lessons, paid or for free. The platforms are now changing, too moving into the direction of the communities. So in the next couple of month we will meet in the middle ;).<br><br>Otherwise I suggest to read this blog. I covered most of these topics and if you have any question, feel free to ask. Hi Anne,
welcome to my blog :) glad to have you here.

If you are thinking about South America you should check out Livemocha.com. Right now they are more a language learning community but they are switching to a model where teachers / tutors will be able to give paid lessons. Nevertheless it is a great place to make contacts to potential students. And they have over 3 million members. With Livemocha you also cover the indian market.

For Asia it would be italki.com. They are one of the oldest platforms and there is a lot going on there right now. I will post some news about italki tomorrow.

Then you should definitely check out edufire.com. With the new SuperPass they offer there is a huge potential on that platform for language teachers.

The difference between learning communities and teaching platforms is that communites like Livemocha.com, italki.com, Busuu.com and Babbel.com are build around content like flash cards. The student learns alone but can connect with other students who will correct the exercises or chat with each other / language exchange. But this segment of the market is changing right now into an implemented teaching approach.

Teaching platforms like Myngle.com, edufire.com and WiZiQ.com focus on the teaching in a virtual classroom, offering one on one or group lessons, paid or for free. The platforms are now changing, too moving into the direction of the communities. So in the next couple of month we will meet in the middle ;) .

Otherwise I suggest to read this blog. I covered most of these topics and if you have any question, feel free to ask.

]]> By: AnneHwang http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-319 AnneHwang Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:29:37 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-319 Hi Kristen, <br><br>First, Thanks for giving me your blog. You do have lots of relevant information here which answers some questions I have. As I'm new to the online teaching industry. I was referred to by a friend to Myngle. I have everything ready there, but just hit the wall with finding students. As you had mentioned on the forum over on myngle about other platforms, I'm very much interested. <br><br>As you were asking me about niche, I mentioned South Asia and South America just because I already have some experience with these group of students, but I'm more than willing to try other target groups. <br>It seems as though with Myngle, the hardest part right now for me is finding the students and with the pricing taking into consideration currency issue. <br><br>Anyhow, I want to explore the online route and would like to get more info of options out there. With your experience, is there one that you would recommend? <br><br>BTW, you had mentioned learning community and teaching platform. What's the different between the two. Hi Kristen,

First, Thanks for giving me your blog. You do have lots of relevant information here which answers some questions I have. As I'm new to the online teaching industry. I was referred to by a friend to Myngle. I have everything ready there, but just hit the wall with finding students. As you had mentioned on the forum over on myngle about other platforms, I'm very much interested.

As you were asking me about niche, I mentioned South Asia and South America just because I already have some experience with these group of students, but I'm more than willing to try other target groups.
It seems as though with Myngle, the hardest part right now for me is finding the students and with the pricing taking into consideration currency issue.

Anyhow, I want to explore the online route and would like to get more info of options out there. With your experience, is there one that you would recommend?

BTW, you had mentioned learning community and teaching platform. What's the different between the two.

]]> By: KirstenWinkler http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-316 KirstenWinkler Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:36:59 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-316 Hi Anne,<br>welcome to this blog. If you decide to test drive the online sector first I agree with Aniya, it will be a question of your personal preference.<br><br>If you want to start with building up a business or revenue stream online it gets more complicated.<br><br>Right now there are two "camps": the language learning communities like Livemocha, italki, Babbel, Busuu etc and language teaching platforms like Myngle, eduFire and WiZiQ.<br><br>What I think we will see in the near future is a move to the middle from both camps. The communities will add online teachers to their offer and the platforms will offer more asynchronous content. Another possibility might be partnerships between communities and platforms.<br><br>Then you have to take a look where the most part of the users come from. Livemocha is very strong in South America, India and Arabic Countries, WiZiQ in India, eduFire in the US etc.<br><br>So it basically depends on which languages you want to teach, do you want to teach 1o1 or classes etc.<br><br>About the relationship I can say it is the same as offline. I have students who learn with me for over 2 or 3 years now, week per week.<br><br>Talk soon,<br>Kirsten Hi Anne,
welcome to this blog. If you decide to test drive the online sector first I agree with Aniya, it will be a question of your personal preference.

If you want to start with building up a business or revenue stream online it gets more complicated.

Right now there are two “camps”: the language learning communities like Livemocha, italki, Babbel, Busuu etc and language teaching platforms like Myngle, eduFire and WiZiQ.

What I think we will see in the near future is a move to the middle from both camps. The communities will add online teachers to their offer and the platforms will offer more asynchronous content. Another possibility might be partnerships between communities and platforms.

Then you have to take a look where the most part of the users come from. Livemocha is very strong in South America, India and Arabic Countries, WiZiQ in India, eduFire in the US etc.

So it basically depends on which languages you want to teach, do you want to teach 1o1 or classes etc.

About the relationship I can say it is the same as offline. I have students who learn with me for over 2 or 3 years now, week per week.

Talk soon,
Kirsten

]]> By: Aniya http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-315 Aniya Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:07:33 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-315 Hi Anne, sorry to butt in ;) I think Kirsten will agree wherever you chose to start your online teaching will come down to personal preference, what you feel comfortable with and the community you become part of, then the rest is up to you, the important part is to animate your lessons and attract the student's attention giving him/her your own individual teaching qualities. All the best, Aniya Hi Anne, sorry to butt in ;) I think Kirsten will agree wherever you chose to start your online teaching will come down to personal preference, what you feel comfortable with and the community you become part of, then the rest is up to you, the important part is to animate your lessons and attract the student's attention giving him/her your own individual teaching qualities. All the best, Aniya

]]> By: annehodg http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/the-proof-that-language-learning-communities-are-the-most-efficient-way-of-learning-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-313 annehodg Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:08:28 +0000 http://www.kirstenwinkler.com/?p=779#comment-313 Dear Kirsten, <br>Very important study and post. I like blended learning concepts. I usually use my Moodle platform for courses I deliver to students who find me the conventional/ more traditional way, but am intrigued by the marketing possiblities of learning communities. I wonder if the relationship that learners build with a teacher in f2f and the commitment that creates will translate to virtual communities. <br><br>I'd like to expand my skills as an online teacher - and keep my standards very high, which is kind of why I've hesitated to venture online - and would go for more training, but need to test the learning environment first to see whether it works for me. I have yet to experience Livemocha, Busuu, Babbel, or Myngle. Are they all shades of the same thing? Can you recommend one of them for me to start with? <br><br>Thanks for any pointers!<br><br>Anne Dear Kirsten,
Very important study and post. I like blended learning concepts. I usually use my Moodle platform for courses I deliver to students who find me the conventional/ more traditional way, but am intrigued by the marketing possiblities of learning communities. I wonder if the relationship that learners build with a teacher in f2f and the commitment that creates will translate to virtual communities.

I'd like to expand my skills as an online teacher – and keep my standards very high, which is kind of why I've hesitated to venture online – and would go for more training, but need to test the learning environment first to see whether it works for me. I have yet to experience Livemocha, Busuu, Babbel, or Myngle. Are they all shades of the same thing? Can you recommend one of them for me to start with?

Thanks for any pointers!

Anne

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