after high school, i'm going to move to italy for a year or 2 to stay with my relatives who live there. i really want to learn italian! i'm going to take online classes for college for those 2 years because i don't want to fall behind. are online classes easier or harder than normal ones and can you do it if you temporarily are living in another country?
Additional info, added Tuesday August 15 2006, 12:03 am: the college is in the united states, by the way.. Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category? Maybe give some free advice about: Colleges & Universities? blwinteler answered Thursday August 17 2006, 12:03 am: I'm not completely sure I understand your question. Are you talking about taking regular college classes to keep up, or are you taking classes online to learn Italian?
If it is to learn a language, it will be much harder to learn online. Hearing an actual person speak the language is so important. Having them able to hear and help you is even more important.
As for regular college classes, the ease of the class depends on a couple things.
First, How do you learn? Do you learn better when you have a class of people with you, or do you prefer one on one? Can you understand new concepts when you read them, or do you like to have someone you can have explain it and answer your questions easily? Are you a procrastinator, or can you keep yourself going without a scheduled class time and a professor enforcing deadlines?
Now, what are the classes? As with language, some classes just aren't meant to be taken online. They may be offered, but that doesn't mean they should be.
If you think learning online will work for you, then the classes won't be a problem. You just have to make it work.
You other question was if you could do it when temporarily in another country. I think that may actually depend on the college and their particular policies. I would contact them as soon as possible to find out.
Another good option is to find a college in Italy. Most schools abroad offer courses in English, and taking some in Italian will help you to learn the language. It would be a wonderful experience.
So you know, I spent the last semester of my senior year in Mexico. I taught english at an elementary school while I was there. I took a dance class at the high school and really immersed myself in the language. In order to graduate high school, I took a correspondance course where I only needed 1/2 elective credit. I took art by mail. That was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I wish you the best of luck on your trip.
Oh, keep a journal and take a lot of pictures. It will be something you won't want to forget. [ blwinteler's advice column | Ask blwinteler A Question ]
XkittyOkatX answered Tuesday August 15 2006, 12:20 pm: I think they would be harder to understand things, but that would help you learn more.
I think the best way to learn a language, is to put yourself environment where you REALLY need to learn the language.
Try going to a class where they grade you, so you're required to learn, it will really help!
I would also say, you should try to learn oen phrase per day!!
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