Offline vs. Online learning

New technologies and online learning are attracting more and more people. Regardless of whether you are a busy worker or student who has tones of classes and deadlines, online learning can be a good way to learn without even leaving your home. Learning a language with a teacher using an online tool such as Skype can mean one-on-one lessons at a reduced price. But are online English classes really a good substitute for the traditional way of studying? Look on the infographics to see all the pros and cons of online and offline lessons.

Write what is your favourite way of learning new languages in the comments. Let’s share!

P.S. You can find a native speaker for both online and offline learning on our website nativespeaker.com.pl/profiles/search .

Why should you learn language from a native speaker?

So, you’ve decided to learn a new language and already know the upcoming benefits from it: discovery of new opportunities, boost of your brain and connection to more people. Awesome! Now it’s the time to find an appropriate teacher. The biggest question for you right now is: should I go for native speaker or not? We believe there are tons of great teachers who studied English or any other language as their second, and sometimes they can explain some topics even better than the native speaker. However, we are convinced, that going for a person who was raised in needed language speaking environment and has been communicating with the people in this language for the whole life would be a better choice for most of us. Here are our 3 main reason why you should go for a native speaker after all. 

Learn the pronunciation

If you want to learn some endangered language, you find the native speaker of that language, listen to him and analyze what he or she talks and try to reproduce his accent into your language. The same goes for other languages: you find your native speaker at nativespeaker.com.pl, listen to him/her, talk and voila, you speak the language, simple as that! 

Learn a bunch of new vocabulary

There aren’t any textbooks or classes that will keep you up to date with the newest slang words, colloquialisms and phrasal verbs so you’ll not feel embarrassed in front of your new friends. The best way to master second language is to simply live it, whether it’s being in another country or talking to a person from that country. 

You will better understand culture and customs

Wise man said that language is a verbal expression of culture. So besides just learning a language, you’ll deep dive into another person’s world, their traditions and custom that will not only enhance your understanding of the language, but also will give you another perspective on how people live their lives, do everyday things and behave in society.

Still not convinced whether you should go for native speaker or not? Check out our native speakers(https://nativespeaker.com.pl/profiles/search) and other articles in our blog, and decide yourself!

How to learn a new language?

Have you ever thought how to learn a language in the most efficient and effective way? If so, then there is a four-step method based on the principles of creating personalized cards and repeating intervals, extremely powerful learning tools that optimize the memory capabilities of your brain. So you not only learn the language quickly, but also remember it for a long time.

Step 1. Start with a listening. 

From the really beginning, start with the basics of pronunciation. You need to know how the language sounds before you can learn to speak it. Before you can begin to collect memories for words, your brain must create a spelling and a solid foundation on which to build these memories.

You can also train your ears with minimal paired tests.What does it mean? “Minimal pair” is a set of two words that differ only in one sound, for example, “hit” and “hid”. It trains your ears in order to help you hear the subtle nuances in your new language. In just a couple of weeks, you will find that you can reconfigure  to hear new, extraneous sounds, just by checking yourself using notes of very similar words.

Step 2. Memorizing is not the best solution.

The four-step method encourages you to learn words through guided discovery, rather than trying to learn words by memorizing translations. This has three advantages: first, when you learn new words with the images you select and create unique memories that your brain can remember more easily. Second, you reinforce the basics of sound and spelling that you created in Step 1. Third, you learn to think in your target language.

Step 3. Learn grammar not though memorizing.

Want to learn the abstract word? Other methods suggest that you memorize its translation, but you will learn much faster by studying it in the context of a sentence. In the process of woking with exact sentence, you will intuitively understand how the grammar works in your new language.

Step 4. Develop your speaking with a native speaker.

Fluency in speech is not the ability to know every word and grammatical education in a language. It is rather the ability to use any words and grammar that you know to say what’s on your mind. This is a learned skill that you can work with directly and effectively, even at a starting level. Obviously, classes with a native speaker will significantly help you to develop your both colloquial and grammar.

Speech practice combines all the data that you cram into your head, and turns them into a cohesive, honed language. This leads to a continuous cycle of improvement: the more vocabulary you learn, the easier it will be to talk about a wide variety of topics. The more you practice speaking, the easier it will be to consume foreign entertainment and learn new words, grammar, phrases and slang.

We have over 500 native speakers in all the cities in Poland. Just take a look https://nativespeaker.com.pl/profiles/search and choose the best one!

The history of NativeSpeaker.com.pl

2006 – registration of the domain

Although it’s unclear who did register the domain first, this was the first time the Internet has heard of it.

2010 – Facebook fanpage is born

The original founder of the website has probably bought the domain and created a Facebook fanpage, still available at the same address. We’ve even managed to find some screenshots:

NativeSpeaker.com.pl screenshot prior to 2017

2017 – the website is rebuilt

The website, originally running on Drupal technology, was experiencing software erosion and the decision has been made to drastically simplify and rebuild it. The website would also gain a new look:

NativeSpeaker.com.pl after being rebuilt in 2017

The new design was intended to be a temporary one, but it lasted for the next two years.

2019 – entirely new, tailor-made design

NativeSpeaker.com since redesign in 2019

The website’s design is tailor-made to what you can see right now. Enjoy ?