The Role of the Teacher of Foreign Languages in Online Environment and in Classical Classrooms
The Role of the Teacher of Foreign Languages in Online Environment and in Classical Classrooms

Summary/Abstract: Given the interactive environment and communication through internet opportunities, learning foreign languages in a mass online course and by using audiovisual materials such as videos on YouTube, what is the current role of the foreign languages teacher? Is there a competition between classical, classroom learning and teaching of a foreign language and using what the internet offers? The paper argues for the role of the teacher in any environment as a source of motivation. We could draw a parallel with the way a therapist motivates his or her patient in a session with the way the same transference works in a teacher - student relationship. However, the online medium does offer more opportunities and more attractive material, as in mass online courses we interact with students and teachers from all over the world. The paper will also argue for more opportunities in an online environment given the fact that interacting with other students who are highly motivated also motivates any learner to continue with the study of the respective foreign language. While in a classical classroom the number of interested students may be scarce, in an online medium the situation can be different as there the classroom is never empty. Lack of interest or high interest from the part of the other student serve as a way to increase motivation and performance for the whole group. However, due to the fact that it is by your own decision that you take the study of a foreign language online, and no outside obligation from school, then the decision remains to yourself whether or not to continue. If you abandon the study, then no consequences will affect your activity. The question remains, though, to what extent and up to what age the teacher acts as a motivator for any student to continue with the study of a foreign language.

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