Learning foreign languages is becoming more and more popular in our country. Many people face the problem of choosing a way of study. Nowadays there is a great variety of methods and everybody can find something what he or she likes and can afford. So, let us discuss several ways of learning a foreign language in terms of their costs and efficiency.

Attending a language school

Now I am going to a language school. We have 2-hour classes twice a week. There are 6 people in our group. The tutor is a native American, called John, who doesn’t speak Russian, but we can understand him. There are tutors who prefer using a text book at the classes. But John usually invents interesting tasks for us, for example, a conversation between parents and a child, a doctor and a patient. Moreover, we have home reading tasks and after that we discuss the plot, the characters, their feelings and our emotions. To sum up, just a few words – I like it! 

Natalia Milovanova
2012 ETMO graduate

Cost – 5,000-10,000 rub\month

Efficiency:   – 5 – 4  – 4 – 4

Having a private tutor

Learning a foreign language with a private teacher is one of the best ways, especially at the beginning. It requires much money but it is usually worthy. The teacher can teach you grammar, vocabulary, develop your listening and writing skills, teach you to speak. You are alone at your lesson and the teacher can adjust to your individual abilities.

I.M. Khatutskaya
Lecturer

Cost – 5,000-8,000 rub\month

Efficiency: – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5

Studying abroad, for example, going to a summer language school

An der Uni begann ich Deutsch zu lernen. Weil die Sprache und die Kultur dieses Landes mir sehr gefielen, ent-schiede ich mich 2011 nach Deutschland zu fahren, um die deutsche Sprache besser zu beherrschen. Ich fand eine gute Schule, die sich in Frankfurt/Main befindet. In der Schule gab es viele Menschen aus der ganzen Welt: aus den USA und Brasilien, Korea und Japan, Frankreich und Italien und natürlich aus der Ukraine und Russland. Dort verbrachte ich 4 Wochen. Im Ganzen, beherrschen die russischen Studenten die Grammatik sehr gut, aber das Sprechen finden sie ziemlich schwer. Also, wenn Sie die Sprache in Deutschland lernen möchten, haben Sie keine Angst. Das wird eine sehr interessante und nützliche Erfahrung Ihres Lebens!

Anastasia Gomyleva
In-52

Cost – 60,000-90,000 rub\month

Efficiency: – 10 – 5 – 5 – 5

Attending special courses for extra education

Last year I completed an advanced English course at the Foreign Languages Department of MIET. It is very useful for all students to improve their language skills. The Course is divided into two subjects – General English and Business English and students have an opportunity to study English Grammar, enlarge their vocabulary and study Business English thoroughly at the same time.

I should also mention highly professional teachers who shared their practice and knowledge with students. And I am sure that the knowledge I gained will help me in finding the job I want, because nowadays speaking a foreign language gives you competitive advantages over other applicants.

Olga Goncharova
EU-51

Cost – 15,000 rub\month

Efficiency: – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5

Visiting English-speaking clubs or English film clubs

I think it’s great that there are such clubs like Speaking and Cinema ones in our university. Attending usual classes is not enough to be a fluent English speaker. Also the problem is that people are shy to speak foreign languages. These clubs help you to express your thoughts, not to be shy and to understand what other people want to explain. Topics vary widely - participants discuss everything from travelling to music. While watching movies ones can easily remember new words and interesting phrases. And, of course, you can find new friends there. So everyone is welcome!

Masha Galeeva
MP-21

Cost – 5 bundles of biscuits\month

Efficiency: – 5 – 3 – 2 – 5

Using a teach-yourself book

I am learning Spanish with the help of self-study books. Of course, I practice listening and speaking, because mastering a language doesn’t mean only the knowledge of grammar. That’s why I always watch football matches with Spanish commentators, analytical reviews and various videos. Sometimes I have difficulties in communication with Spanish-speaking people. But I think the more I learn Spanish, the easier I will understand them.

Sergei Kovalev
ETMO-51M

Cost – 300-500 rub\month

Efficiency: – 2 – 5 – 4 – 4