The desire to study foreign languages predates the beginning of recorded human history. We analyzed the most popular business models that offer limitless language learning to the customer with a single click anywhere in the world in light of the rising popularity of language application usage. We looked at four widely used business models and gave a quick review of their similarities and differences.
1. LEARNING LANGUAGES BASED ON SOFTWARE
The business model employed by the language learning programs in the examples below is thought to be the most well-liked and often used approach for teaching languages utilizing VR technology, voice recognition software, and chatbots. It offers brief courses that are narrowly focused on daily activities, covering practical subjects like making introductions, placing food orders, and making trip plans.
Each session includes a principal lesson followed by supplementary units of practice for pronunciation, reading, and listening, and application mechanisms guarantee that students remain motivated to accomplish their goals. Additionally, it gives users the option to type exercises or speak the word loudly via the microphone while also offering a limited collection of vocabulary and brief sentences through image-word matching on the screen. However, the number of languages offered varies; some of them give up to 30 languages, while others just offer 4.
Prior to new units becoming active once the preceding unit is finished, there may be placement exams to evaluate the user and place them in the appropriate level, depending on the language scenario.
Lessons in these kinds of apps often last no more than five minutes, and repetition is helpful in achieving the learning process's objectives of building a vocabulary foundation.
PROS
Simple, helpful information and a decent learning software make a great mix for supplementary instruction or in-class support.
Includes a wide variety of languages.
Helpful for teaching letters, fundamental ideas, and phonetics.
Affordably priced because customers may be given fair rates since the marginal cost of the material for each extra learner is negligibly low (about zero).
CONS
The fact that these programs as a whole offer nothing in the way of "original input" or "genuine output" is one of their key shortcomings.
2. Live language instruction (ONE-ON-ONE)
It is collaborating with e-learning systems that link language students and teachers through live-streamed private courses. Native speakers of several languages make up the teachers, who are accessible around the clock worldwide.
The dialogue lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, and charges vary from application to application and instructor to teacher, averaging about $24 per hour.
In contrast to the previous business model, this one provides for language practice with a live teacher rather than planned sessions.
These platforms offer a setting where one may develop speaking abilities with a native speaker on many subjects without committing to a particular school curriculum. The emphasis is on one-on-one training classes using one-way video conferencing, focusing on how easy it is for people to practice the language in their own time.
In a nutshell, because nothing is technically taught using this technique, the user does not learn a language. Rather, they are tools for practicing communication through real-time connection with others. It is a good alternative for intermediate level learners who actively put themselves into circumstances where they can communicate with native speakers to learn the language.
PROS
The most contentious benefit of this technique over the previous one is its emphasis on speaking to real people when learning a language. From the perspective of the student, this characteristic cannot be overlooked because face-to-face interaction offers a number of benefits, such as:
Overcoming glossophobia, breaking down linguistic physical obstacles, and overcoming the apprehension to speak aloud.
The teacher corrected my pronunciation right away.
A real-time, interactive learning environment.
Applications that use this business model additionally benefit from the following factors:
The guidance of a professional instructor draws a lot of attention to speaking and listening abilities.
Flexibility is one of the most appealing characteristics, particularly for students who do not have time in their schedules to attend normal sessions. Anywhere, at any time, the student may sign in with a single click.
Users have the option of paying for individual lessons instead of enrolling in a full course or a monthly subscription, which makes the payment schedule flexible.
In (one-on-one) Classes, the student learns at his own rate, and the instructor is required to keep up with him until the lesson has been thoroughly retained.
Voluntary interactions: The student appreciates studying in a free-driving environment because it gives the user the freedom to bring up a variety of subjects depending on his or her own interests and because it allows the teacher to create a lesson plan that is tailored to the needs of each learner.
Users may browse instructor profiles and do searches based on language, cost, availability, and other crucial criteria. Additionally, they can view remarks made by former pupils. A sample lesson booking option is offered by several applications as well.
CONS
There is no set curriculum or set of instructional materials. There are no exercises, tests, or language lessons on this kind of program; only chat rooms!
The quality of the education is heavily influenced by the instructor. It is not necessary for teachers to possess specialist credentials; they might just be native speakers who engage students in informal teaching and discussion. Who can tell whether they are correct? What if they don't care to correct you when you're mistaken, too? As a result, the student either finds a trustworthy instructor or has a negative encounter with another ignorant teacher.
As opposed to traditional lessons, this kind of application allows the student to know how many new words, pieces of grammar, and exercises to complete each week as well as how many hours they should take.
3. STYLISH LIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING
This strategy is distinct from the first two in that it resembles an online language school more often than not.
Technically speaking, these are platforms that employ a more structured online classroom delivery approach than merely an unstructured discussion. These online resources include level-appropriate study plans and organized instruction created by specialists in language education. The fact that these courses are given by devoted instructors with expertise in teaching foreign languages gives students the peace of mind that they are receiving instruction from both native speakers and certified professors.
Similar to language schools, these platforms let users download study materials and offer periodic exercises and assessments at the conclusion of each course. Both group sessions (typically consisting of three to four students each class) and one-on-one tutoring are available on the platforms we shall outline below.
This strategy is appropriate for those seeking a learning opportunity comparable to what is now provided by educational institutions and colleges, including placement examinations, a required minimum number of courses, exercises, and live lessons to advance to the next level.
PROS
A systemically structured program appropriate for all learning levels, with clear objectives and numerous language levels.
Tutors are experts in teaching languages who have received training to conduct classes. Before beginning to teach, candidates must first pass a selection procedure that involves personal interviews, consideration of prior experience, and completion of ongoing training programs for instructors. This is in addition to getting the credentials necessary for teaching languages.
These platforms also provide more specific programs like business language instruction and TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS exam preparation.
CONS
With this business strategy, the organization must make significant efforts in teacher recruitment, in-service training, and ongoing performance evaluation.
In the prior business model, a freelance instructor charged lower rates for lessons, but teacher costs are higher.
Lessons are substantially more expensive than in earlier versions.
4. APPS FOR LEARNING LANGUAGES BASED ON AI
The following businesses rely on a virtual instructor to provide "English"-specific knowledge using artificial intelligence techniques. These methods replicate every step of a teacher's job, including listening, comprehending, reasoning, and giving feedback. Some of these methods consist of:
ASR for Listening is an automatic speech recognition system.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Understanding.
Adaptive learning and Text To Speech (TTS) for methodical note-taking
The success of this business model depends on the technology, the item, and the content that is integrated into the system. Many teachers consider this to be the ideal situation since it is "adaptive" personal learning that saves a lot of time and effort because the system can respond to the learner with information that is suited to his language level.
PROS
Affordably priced because customers may be given fair rates since the marginal cost of the material for each extra learner is negligibly low (about zero).
Ability to scale. Whereas one of the drawbacks of the prior model was its reliance on actual teachers, this model, which uses artificial intelligence approaches, is anticipated to benefit more kids.
Effectiveness and efficiency. Though many potential consumers are still hesitant to use technology in language instruction, this attitude may gradually shift as these technologies advance and offer a learning environment that meets uniform requirements of effectiveness and efficiency.
A positive user experience that inspires assurance. The student won't feel awkward speaking in a second language because he will be conversing with the machine.
CONS
Considering applications for teaching languages, AI techniques are still in its infancy, and it doesn't seem like they are widely used in many languages given that "English" can currently be taught using them.
This sort of application's technological complexity lowers the level of competitiveness in this market.
For many people, learning with a real teacher is still preferable (personal point of view).