Learn English with an ESOL teacher in Edinburgh

“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” -Frank Smith

It is true that learning another language opens up opportunities that were previously closed. For instance, those who are multilingual unlock doors to new friendships, job opportunities, and travel experiences since they now possess the keys to endless possibilities. While learning any foreign tongue is worthy of merit, it is important to state that there are certain languages that are more useless than others. How’s that? Languages such as English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian, French, and Portuguese are spoken by billions of people worldwide and amplify your chances of success in your personal and public life. However, all language learners need to start from somewhere and one of the best resources to take advantage of when acquiring a foreign tongue is a personal tutor. Thankfully, there are a lot of ESOL instructors available for hire in the region of Edinburgh.

Challenges Faced When Learning English

Although English is spoken by over a billion people earth wide, native and non-native speakers, that doesn’t mean that learning it is without its challenges and problems. According to language experts and past students of English, the primary issues faced when acquiring the basics of English include pronunciation, spelling, slang, and interpretation between distinct accents. Firstly, English pronunciation may take years to master for non-native speakers because you do not often say words in the same way that they are spelled. Also, there are many occasions in English when the same word has different pronunciations. Secondly, for ESL students the words that sound the same yet are written differently in English are very frustrating. Individual letter sounds may be spelled in various different ways. Thirdly, when ESL students reach an upper-intermediate or advanced level, they start to hear a lot of English slang and this can be quite a challenge to decode. Most slang is specific to a place or culture, so depending on where they are, the slang will change. However, with a private ESL tutor by your side, all the previously mentioned challenges can be overcome.

Nations that Speak English

Although English is commonly known and referred to as the “universal language”, it is important to state that the majority of English speakers are non-native and have learned fluency through ESL classes. Nonetheless, there are various nations on earth that have English as an official language or widely speak the tongue. Such as? According to our research, English is the official language of 55 sovereign states and 27 non-sovereign entities; that’s a lot of countries! English is most commonly spoken in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, the Bahamas, India, Cameroon, and South Africa. With so many nations that widely speak English, ESL learners have many travel destinations where they can practice their skills at the same time. Also, it’s worth stating that many parts of Europe such as the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Germany boast millions of English speakers who have near-perfect pronunciation and grammar.

Online English Classes

When it comes down to selecting a private ESL tutor, learners must decide if they want to take classes in-person or online. What are the pros and cons of each method? Let’s first mention virtual ESL tutoring sessions. Online classes are fantastic for students who are tech-savvy and aren’t afraid to use software such as Zoom, Skype, or Discord to attend ESL lessons. Also, online learning offers the student a lot of flexibility and adaptability when it comes to booking lessons. Depending on the online tutoring community, pupils can select tutors 24/7. However, it is important to state that those who embark on online classes may at times get distracted since the tutor isn’t with them in the flesh. Also, without a stable internet connection, virtual lessons are not a good idea since you’ll be frustrated most of the time. We greatly suggest at least trying online ESL classes to see if they’re a fit for you.

In-Person ESOL Courses

At the opposite end of the spectrum are in-person classes with an ESL instructor. Face-to-face courses have existed for centuries and, in ancient times, they were the primary way to receive a quality and tailored education. Learners greatly appreciate in-person ESL sessions because they feel close to the tutor and can establish a bond with them. Also, in-person courses are great for those who need the structured influence of the teacher and do not respond favourably to self-paced learning. Additionally, face-to-face lessons often do not require any technical devices so that means you don’t have to be tech-savvy and try to figure out videoconferencing applications. Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning that face-to-face courses are usually held outside of the home which means you must factor in your travel time and extra costs. It’s worth trying face-to-face courses to see if they fit your learning style.

Superprof ESOL Instructors in the Edinburgh Area

Since the rise of virtual private tutoring in the early 21st century, there has been plenty of online tutoring communities that have opened up to offer their services. With so many options available to students in Edinburgh, and other parts of the UK, it may seem quite confusing to select only one website to find an ESL tutor. However, it’s important to state that the only site worthy of your attention is Superprof. With 160 ESOL instructors in the region of Edinburgh, Superprof offers students a variety of options to choose from when brushing up their skills in English. Superprof ESL tutors offer both in-person and online classes. The educators have years of experience and many qualifications to back up their teaching techniques. The average hourly rate for an ESL class in Edinburgh starts at £15 and depends on the years of expertise and accreditations of the tutor. A fantastic aspect of Superprof ESL instructors is that the first lesson is always free of charge. Get yourself improving your English skills today!