How Should We Adapt to Modern Language Learning?

What’s the best way to learn? Who’s actually right?

Let’s take a look at the current landscape.

Without trying to cover absolutely everything, these are the main ways people learn languages today:

• Studying completely independently online using apps, AI, YouTube, or purchased learning materials.
• Learning in an online group.
• Learning in one-to-one online lessons.
• Learning in an in-person group.
• Learning in one-to-one in-person lessons.

Let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages of each.

In-Person Learning: The Traditional Approach

The world has changed dramatically over the last decade.

Not long ago—largely because there simply weren’t many alternatives—people attended language classes in person. The benefits are obvious: you have structure, you meet your teacher and classmates face-to-face, and you know you’ll have dedicated time to practise speaking and learning with other people. It follows the familiar classroom model: textbooks, notebooks, and a physical classroom.

Of course, there are downsides.

You have to travel to the lesson. In the best-case scenario, it’s a regular commute across town. In the worst case, you might spend more time travelling than actually sitting in class. And what if the teacher or language school you really connect with is in another city—or even another country? Let’s be honest: commuting across the world isn’t exactly an option.

For many people, travelling simply doesn’t fit modern life anymore. Work is demanding, many have children with their own schedules and extracurricular activities, and finding extra hours just to get to and from a lesson can become a challenge.

Online Lessons: Breaking Down Borders

Online group and private lessons solve one of the biggest problems of traditional learning: commuting.

Distance no longer matters. As long as everyone has a stable internet connection and a suitable device, you can learn with the teacher who suits you best—wherever they happen to be.

For older generations, however, online learning can still feel unfamiliar. Many have had little or no experience learning this way. Finding documents, navigating online platforms, managing links, or simply understanding the unwritten rules of video meetings—like muting your microphone when you’re not speaking—can all feel overwhelming.
Others face a different challenge. After working from home all day, spending another hour or ninety minutes in front of a screen can feel exhausting.

For younger generations, on the other hand, online learning is completely natural. They navigate digital platforms effortlessly, often prefer messaging to phone calls, and tend to value convenience over meeting in person.

Self-Study: The Fastest-Growing Trend

Perhaps the biggest trend today is fully independent online learning. Many learners combine language-learning apps with downloadable resources, YouTube videos, and increasingly, artificial intelligence.

The appeal is obvious. It’s significantly cheaper than hiring a teacher. You can study whenever you want without having to show up for a scheduled lesson, whether online or in person. At first glance, it feels like the most efficient solution.

The catch? Freedom requires discipline.

For most people, it’s much harder than expected to consistently sit down and study. What begins as daily practice often becomes weekly… then occasionally… until progress slows, plateaus, or disappears altogether.
There’s another important factor that’s easy to overlook:

Language is alive.
If you want to use it confidently—especially when speaking—you need opportunities to communicate with real people in real, unpredictable situations. No app can fully replace that experience.

So… What’s the Truth?

Sorry to disappoint you, but there isn’t one universal answer.

What I can offer is my perspective based on years of teaching experience. It may sound cliché, but it’s true: every learner is different. No method is completely ineffective for everyone, just as no single method works perfectly for everyone.
If you’ve studied languages before, you’ll probably already have a sense of what fits your lifestyle and learning preferences. If you haven’t, then the best approach is simple:

Try the method that appeals to you. If it doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to switch. Keep experimenting until you find something that gives you progress—and, most importantly, a sense of achievement.

Success Is What Keeps You Going

Take a moment to think about that phrase: success – a sense of achievement.
That’s what keeps motivation alive.

Success can come in many forms. Maybe it’s completing an exercise perfectly, writing a text with almost no corrections, or passing a language exam.
But if I’m being honest, the success stories I hear most often from my students are much more real-life-based than that.
The moments that truly matter are when someone can finally express what’s in their head. When they understand a native speaker.
When they respond naturally in a real conversation.
Those are the milestones that make learners realise:

“I can actually do this.”

And in my experience, those moments are most likely to happen with the guidance of a teacher who deliberately creates opportunities to practise speaking—whether in group or individual lessons.

Why Do I Believe a Teacher Still Matters?

A teacher provides a safe, structured environment where mistakes are corrected before they become habits. You’re encouraged—sometimes gently pushed—to actually speak the language.
Making mistakes isn’t embarrassing. It’s essential. That’s how your language skills become stable and reliable.

Everyone who speaks another language has funny stories about strange things they accidentally said while learning. Those moments are part of the journey. The important thing is that once you’ve experienced and corrected the mistake in a supportive environment, you’re far less likely to repeat it.

Group Lessons or Private Lessons?

This is one of the most debated topics in language learning.

Private lessons offer complete personal attention. The lesson is tailored entirely to you, and there’s no need to adapt to anyone else’s pace.

Group lessons, however, offer something unique. You learn from other people’s questions. You hear different perspectives. You practise with multiple conversation partners.

The biggest challenge with group courses is that learners often progress at different speeds. Some students are highly motivated and want rapid improvement because they have an upcoming move, exam, or job opportunity.
Others simply enjoy learning at a slower pace and have less time to study between lessons.
Eventually, one learner feels held back while another feels rushed—and frustration builds.

There’s another common misconception.

Many people assume they can join an A1, B1, or B2 etc. course, complete a few weeks of lessons, and leave fully fluent at that level. Unfortunately, that’s not how language learning works.
Fixed-length courses usually focus on covering a set amount of grammar and vocabulary within a limited timeframe. There’s rarely enough time for deep practice—especially speaking practice.
Without enough repetition, much of that newly learned information simply fades away.

So What Makes My Groups Different?

My groups run continuously rather than following fixed-length courses. They’re organised into broad levels—Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced—simply to give learners a general point of reference.

But my goal isn’t to rush students through grammar levels.
My goal is to help you actually use the language confidently. To get there, you need vocabulary. Listening skills. Writing skills. Grammar (yes, I know everyone loves to complain about German grammar—but it still matters).

Most importantly, you need speaking practice. And then more speaking practice. And after that… Even more speaking practice.

That’s why I don’t rely on one fixed textbook. Every group is different. Different goals. Different learning styles. Different pace.
Whenever possible, I carefully place new students into groups where people have similar objectives and expectations. That makes an enormous difference to the group dynamic. Of course, scheduling also matters. Sometimes the lesson time naturally becomes the deciding factor for students.

Before anyone joins, I offer a free 10–15 minute consultation. I want to hear what you’re looking for, and I’ll explain honestly what I can offer.

There’s another important difference. With traditional fixed courses, you’re committed for the entire duration—even if after the first month you realise it isn’t the right fit. In my courses, you only commit one month at a time through a monthly membership.
If you enjoy it and feel you’re progressing, you simply continue.

There’s One More Thing I Haven’t Mentioned Yet

Perhaps the most important one. People today are searching for connection.

Since COVID, it’s become increasingly clear that many people feel more isolated than before. Remote work has become common. We spend less time around other people. Many of us feel less motivated and find it harder to build new relationships.
Something has undeniably changed.

I genuinely believe that community plays a huge role in helping us stick with anything long-term—especially language learning. After all, the whole purpose of learning a language is to connect with other people.

That’s why I also provide an online space where my groups can stay connected outside class if they want to.
They ask questions. Share memes. Chat in German. Talk about whatever interests them. The more meaningful language exposure you have, the stronger your learning becomes.
And yes—I’m active there too. Whenever language questions come up, I’m always happy to help.

My Final Thoughts regarding Modern Language Learning

If there’s one thing I’d encourage every language learner to do, it’s this:

Find the learning method that you genuinely enjoy. Choose something that gives you regular wins and keeps you motivated.
And whatever method you choose, make sure it helps you gradually become more confident expressing yourself—both in speaking and in writing. Because at the end of the day, learning a language isn’t about collecting grammar rules. It’s about being able to communicate with confidence.