Linguabox offers online platform for language learning
The two co-founders of Linguabox Group had a couple of clear objectives when they decided to set up an online learning platform to teach Mandarin and Cantonese.
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They wanted to help students of all ages master the languages in an effective and enjoyable way. The intention was to do this by making online classes engaging and immersive, while also ensuring that experienced teachers, as native speakers, would be able to meet the unique requirements of each student and allow for different styles of learning.
In parallel, though, they also wanted to highlight the importance of a commitment to gender equality in the world of business. Their aim was to show that women have all the qualities needed to be successful entrepreneurs and that combining motherhood with the responsibilities of running a growing company is more than possible.
“We believe in providing personalised instruction tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each student,” says Linguabox co-founder May Wong, who has 20-plus years’ experience as an educator. “Our teachers design customised learning plans and offer feedback to address specific areas of improvement. In addition, we prioritise proficiency in communication by focusing on practical language skills that enable students to interact effectively in real-life situations.”
The online platform gives access to a virtual platform with key features including interactive whiteboards, multimedia resources, and a high-quality video and audio interface.
For each language, the basic curriculum makes use of interactive exercises and role-playing activities to encourage participation and meaningful exchanges. And, by being in a supportive learning environment, students feel ready to speak up and try new words and phrases without any fear of making a mistake.
“Through positive reinforcement and constructive feedback, we help students build confidence and find motivation,” says Mandy Chen, a Linguabox co-founder who pays close attention to teaching methodology. “These principles guide our approach, and we take great care in recruiting, training, and assessing our teachers to ensure they meet our high standards of excellence.”
On offer are speaking, tutoring and comprehensive packages, with each class lasting either 25 or 50 minutes. Course content depends on the package selected, with tutoring classes covering phonetics, grammar, vocabulary plus reading and writing Chinese characters, while speaking classes focus on oral communication and listening skills.
Every session is designed to advance the student’s personal learning goals, with teachers guiding the way through well-planned topics and materials.
For instance, if adult learners are taking conversational Mandarin, the class will cover day-to-day situations the individual student is likely to encounter, with relevant vocabulary and sentence structure.
After each class, there are also homework assignments, which reinforce lesson content and help teachers to gauge all-round understanding and progress.
“Online courses offer numerous advantages,” Wong says. “Firstly, they provide flexibility, allowing learners to schedule sessions at their own convenience and fit language lessons around their other commitments. This flexibility also eliminates geographical barriers, meaning students have access to our high-quality language education from anywhere in the world. And, in Hong Kong, there is the convenience of being able to learn from the comfort of your own home, saving the time and resources typically spent on commuting to a physical classroom.”
The interactive online platform has been found to foster engagement between students and instructors. It also allows learners to reschedule classes and seek clarification or assistance outside class hours if anything is unclear.
All Linguabox teachers come with relevant experience and qualifications and, on joining, undertake comprehensive training to familiarise themselves with the platform and expected methodologies. This process includes modules on online teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and cultural sensitivity.
“Throughout their tenure, our teachers receive ongoing support and professional development opportunities to further enhance their skills and knowledge,” Chen says. “We conduct regular assessments and evaluations to monitor their performance and provide constructive feedback for continuous improvement. And, on a separate note, we are incredibly proud that most of our teachers are women, many of whom are also mothers.”
This point has a special resonance for the Linguabox co-founders who, throughout their careers, have observed the type of challenges faced by highly-qualified women, particularly after they become mothers.
So, when they began to build their own team, supporting this demographic was a priority and could be done by providing fulfilling career opportunities, along with the flexibility needed for childcare responsibilities.
“It is immensely rewarding to empower these talented, certified and passionate women and help them thrive in their professional lives and balance their family commitments,” says Wong, noting that motherhood cultivates invaluable qualities that help a business including adaptability, resilience, unending patience, and the ability to multitask.
“We also take immense pride in the significant representation of girls and women among our student body. Enriching their linguistic repertoire unlocks a myriad of career prospects, as we equip them for a journey towards academic success and future leadership roles,”
Recognising the challenges involved in acquiring any complex language, Linguabox makes a point of mixing fun elements with the essential study of grammar rules, vocabulary, and idiomatic usage.
If required, sessions can be arranged to prepare for mock exams or other formal tests. And, more generally, an effective range of tools is available to make sure students keep progressing and have every chance to reach their potential.
“By leveraging technology and innovative teaching methods, we want to make language learning more accessible and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds,” Chen says. “Ultimately, our goal is to become a leading provider of online language education, empowering individuals worldwide to achieve fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese and more.”