Distance Language Learning

It is well-known that nowadays direct face-to-face communication can be replaced by online communication. It means that learning through direct instruction can be replaced by distance learning by means of technologies.
I think that for educators direct teaching is more easier, when there is face-to-face communication and interaction, when the educator can see and feel everything that happens during the learning process. While in distant teaching more energy and effort is needed from the educator to convey all the material properly and to reach all the learning objectives. I, personally, have never done distance tutoring, but I think that it would be difficult to first of all observe the learner and identify his/her needs. It would be also challenging to provide immediate feedback to the learner. All in all, everything depends on different kinds of technologies.
In spite of all the difficulties that distance learning may create, it is a very good means for the learners who live, for example, in remote areas and don't have good teachers in their area. Or, if someone's teacher has to leave to somewhere else, in this case distance learning will help them not to interrupt the process of teaching and learning.
In distance education the teachers should follow several maxims, which are also necessary in face-to-face education, but are more critical in a distance education. First of all the educator should empower the learner, for making him/her more encouraged, motivated and confident about his/her abilities. The educator should also be open, i.e. the learners should always feel free to sent the educator mails whenever they have questions connected with the lessons. The factor of being honest from the part of the educator is also very important, as they need to always tell the learners the truth about their language competence or performance progresses. Also, the educators should always provide appropriate explanation of any linguistic issue being explained, as in a distance learning they should be very careful for the learners to not miss a point.
The learners have also a lot of work to do by themselves, as in distance education they have to be more autonomous learners. They have to manage their self-management and initial motivation at first. They have to be more watchful so as to plan their work carefully. They also have to identify the learning strategies which work well for themselves. It would be better if the teacher also were aware of their learning strategies, because in that case the instruction would directly fit the learners needs.
Thus, we, as language teachers, should be very careful and aware of these factors which directly affect on the quality of distance learning.

For starting your own distance learning you can create an account with either http://www.livemocha.com/ or
http://www.busuu.com/ .