Learning a foreign language isn’t always a piece of cake. Many factors influence how easily and quickly a person can learn a foreign language. Some components are age, practice time, setting, and how easily languages come to you. At Panda Mandarin, we have created an environment where our students learn either in person or virtually in a classroom setting.
The process of learning a second or third new language can feel daunting, but within the right setting for the student, everyone can be successful. The instructors at Panda Mandarin seek to have each and every one of our students thrive, and we set them up to be successful in our Mandarin courses during their time with us.
Benefits of Peer-on-Peer Interaction
What we have discovered in teaching a foreign language is that peer-on-peer interactions are invaluable to the ability of our students to learn. Practicing a new language with your peers and the instructor is essential when you are in the process of grasping a new language. One big benefit of learning a second language in a small classroom with other students is learning through integrative curriculars such as music, play, and art. It allows the students to learn context, which promotes language development.
When students can learn in a classroom setting with their peers in small classes of 10 or fewer students, instead of one-on-one learning with an instructor, they are better able to put into practice what they have learned, enhance their conversational abilities, and really push themselves to speak Mandarin correctly so that everyone understands them. In classroom settings, students seek to participate in an oral discussion with their peers, no matter their age, and in front of a group, they look to be successfully understood.
Collaborative Learning VS Private Learning
When students collaborate to learn any subject matter, they are more likely to achieve greater productivity when they have a caring support group. And, therefore, tend to be more committed to excelling in their courses. While a one-on-one setting with an instructor can be a great experience for some students because it provides focussed learning, it doesn’t allow for the substantial benefits that come with collaborative learning.
One main benefit from one-on-one teacher-to-student interactions is it allows students
to focus on their learning goals and their goals alone. The instructor is able to create an individualized lesson plan that can tackle the weaknesses of each student instead of focussing on the whole class. It is an option we offer at our school, but we always believe that group learning will give your child an experience that is more well-rounded.
Which Option is Best For Me?
At the end of the day, it truly depends on how your child best learns and what fits your needs best. This is true not only for one-on-one learning versus group learning, but also when you are considering virtual learning versus in-person learning. Only you know what is best for your child and what is the ideal learning environment for them.