English has increasingly become the language of the global knowledge economy, with millions of students moving overseas to study English as a second language. Students’ reasons are often varied, ranging from the desire to explore another country or culture, gaining a competitive edge in the job market or starting on a pathway to academic study. With these diverse backgrounds comes a huge range of motivations and learning styles, which then have an impact on each student’s learning experience and their approach to studying.

This is a familiar challenge to English language schools in Australia.  Teachers often respond to the different needs of students with interactive learning activities, small group work and individual feedback.  Also important is what the student does outside the classroom – and this is one area  where Navitas English really helps students to explore their individual needs. As Lucy Blakemore, e-Learning Market Research Analyst from Navitas English explains, “during a number of qualitative research projects we’ve conducted over the last few years, we have found that whilst some students are very capable of directing their own learning outside the classroom, many others express uncertainty about how to achieve their goals through independent study. Students are always keen for guidance and advice about how to extend their learning – and teachers can point them towards resources they are unlikely to discover themselves.”

Working with research findings, student feedback and in consultation with experienced teaching staff, Navitas English is developing MyStudy, which focuses on three main components to assist students to understand their goals, motivations and how they learn best. To begin with a MyStudy Profile is created by filling in a questionnaire, which then provides students with advice and activities appropriate to their English level. It also takes into account their learning style, challenging them to experiment with new approaches to study.

The second component is MyStudy Activities, which gives students access to a range of tried and tested online learning activities to help improve their English language skills. This is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their English and a selection of teacher recommendations can be accessed through http://www.navitasenglish.com/mystudy.html.

The third component is the MyStudy Social Network which allows Navitas English students to connect with Navitas campuses across Australia. It is an English only space, where students can be involved in an online English language learning community, sharing ideas, study tips and experiences.

The result for students is that their English learning ‘world’ is not confined to their classroom, or even to their school or group of friends. With the right guidance, students can access fantastic learning resources and communicate with others having similar experiences, all facilitated by technology. And of course, when it all feels like too much, as Kemal in the video says, ‘you can always turn it off’!

A Navitas English student, Kemal, demonstrating how he uses MyStudy.