Since the COVID-19 pandemic drove everybody into the home office, online training has become the primary delivery method for language training. Nobody wants to return to the old-fashioned face-to-face training sessions and the inconvenience of booking training rooms etc.
In the years since the pandemic, digitalization of language training has become even more ubiquitous. Today, we have AI-conversational agents, and people are talking about AI trainers taking over! Chat-GPT has disrupted the whole industry. In light of all that, it is tempting to think that onsite, face-to-face training is well and truly dead.
Of course, online training offers brilliant flexibility, is globally accessible, and is generally more affordable than onsite options. However, is online always the best option? Let’s examine how online and onsite differ.
The benefits of online training are clear, especially when it comes to reach and cost:
- Employees can join from anywhere on the globe
- No travel or accommodation costs for trainers
- Digital learning materials are easy to access
- Learners can access low-cost trainers
In addition, online delivery is excellent because it is conducted over classroom platforms that often come with built-in content libraries, learner data tracking, and flexible scheduling options. These advance features make it easier for L&D teams to manage large-scale training programs. Since digital platforms are designed to retain various data points, the whole reporting process is much easier. Learning management systems (LMSs) provide learners with asynchronous digital components to enhance the online sessions. Learners have the added advantage that they can work independently and revisit the self-paced content as needed.
However, the downside is that some learners may not even start their courses. They might tune out completely, multitask on their phones during lessons, or drop out of their course midway. This might be caused by the dissociation of a more isolating format. That issue is for another post.
Where Onsite Training Still Shines
There’s still real value in getting people into the same room to talk together face-to-face, especially when training is about building trust and improving communication skills. Onsite training does all of the following:
- Encourages more natural interaction and questions
- Builds stronger peer relationships and trust
- Helps trainers adapt quickly to the group’s needs
- Makes it easier to stay focused without digital distractions
However, there are a couple of challenges to consider. For example, the logistics of conducting onsite training are complex. It is necessary to secure access to appropriate training rooms, verify the availability of functioning projectors or screens, and ensure a stable internet connection to facilitate access to learning materials content. Any hiccup in the setup can waste time and negatively affect the learning experience. Getting all the course participants into one room at one time is also challenging these days. This is something that can easily be overlooked in the planning process.
The Hidden Costs and Benefits
Online training helps avoid many of these issues. It’s easier to roll out, scale, and monitor. But it’s not cost-free. Platform fees, content licensing, technical support costs, and in-house content development still require a budget. Skilled customer support is essential. All this has to be factored into pricing, and cheap courses might just cut a lot of corners. Quality also comes at a cost.
There are a lot of reasons why onsite courses are costly. For example, participants usually expect printed handouts or coursebooks, which the trainer must bring or print locally. This comes at a cost, which the language provider will have to consider in their offerings. Then there’s the trainer’s travel time and expenses. In other words, the clients should expect a much higher price point for on-site delivery. Even if the trainer lives locally, the cost of an onsite course should be much higher than a virtual session.
Which One Is More Effective?
It depends. Online training can be more effective when the trainer is well-prepared and the sessions are well-designed. But in a crowded market, rates are often pushed down, and that can affect quality. There’s a direct link between price and trainer qualifications, and it’s a mistake to treat online delivery as a cheap alternative.
Onsite training allows for richer interaction. People remember not just what they learned, but the group dynamic and the experience itself. There’s a shared focus and camaraderie that online sessions can’t always replicate. Onsite training, although more expensive and logistically demanding, often leads to better engagement and retention. This is especially true in high-stakes contexts like leadership coaching or strategic workshops, where interaction and focus are critical.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Many companies now combine both formats in blended formats. A typical approach is to assign online pre-work for theory and background knowledge, followed by onsite sessions for practice and discussion. This maximizes the value of onsite time and ensures that learners arrive prepared. AI tools and conversation bots are also being integrated into the online part of the journey.
Online sessions work best for employees who need flexible access and are working remotely. Onsite workshops can complement an online component by providing targeted, intensive training on specific topics. This can be in the form of small group coaching classes, but also larger seminars for skills and intercultural training. Language learning providers are adopting much more flexible approaches based on mixed learning modalities. This also allows companies to get the best out of their learning budgets.
A third option is the hybrid model, where learners attend the same live session either online or in person. While promising, this setup is harder to manage. It requires reliable tech, facilitation skills, and a well-prepared classroom environment. This can work when most of the audience is onsite, but a small percentage works remotely.
Understanding the Modalities
A quick overview of the terms helps clarify the choices:
Hybrid Sessions — A live session where some learners join online and others attend in person. This setup requires solid planning and technology.
Asynchronous Training — Learners complete the course independently, at their own pace. Common tools include videos, quizzes, self-paced digital learning modules, and AI apps.
Synchronous Training — A live session with the trainer and participants present at the same time. Can be online or in person.
Blended Learning — A mix of asynchronous and synchronous training. For example, online self-study followed by a live group session.
Onsite Training — Held face-to-face at a physical location such as an office or training center.
Online Training — Delivered over the internet, either live or self-paced.
Online training offers flexibility, scale, and savings, especially for companies with a global workforce. However, onsite training still has an important role, especially when people value and are prepared to pay for the experience of communication face-to-face.
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay
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