Author: Henry Loveless
Finnbrit’s simple guide to choosing online or in-person classes (or both).
**As usual, we’ve added an explanation of the highlighted words at the end of the article. **
Covid forced us to work at home. We bought adjustable desks, ring lamps and wobbly stools. Zoom and Teams became everyday words and people even moved away from the rat race completely. In 2023, 42% of employed people in Finland worked from home at least occasionally.
But now it seems many companies are trying to get workers back into the office and the latest data even shows a decline in remote work opportunities. It seems we are still trying to figure out what works best.
As a teacher of almost 25 years, my question is, “where has this left English classes?” Traditionally English for Businesses was studied at the office. But now, online English is booming. Are the days of face-to-face classes over?
Online English classes or face to face? Finnbrit is happy to organise classes at their Helsinki premises, at your office or online. To help you decide which is best for you, we’ve put together this useful guide.
Online Classes
How do they work?
Online classes can be one-to-one or in groups. Usually, a class schedule is arranged, just like any other meeting, and at the agreed time, an English teacher magically pops onto your screen.
Big groups can be divided into smaller breakout rooms, and activities and materials, like videos and texts, can be shared on the screen. We can even use online whiteboards to draw, write and explain.
Why are online classes great?
Of course, the big advantage of online-anything is the flexibility and convenience. We don’t have to walk to a meeting room; we don’t have to leave our homes; we don’t even have to leave our beds.
It’s easy to jump in and out of a meeting and there’s no travel involved, great if you’ve relocated to a cabin in the middle of Lapland. This means that you can organise a class with people from different branches, even with colleagues from different countries.
This flexibility means it is also simpler to schedule and reschedule classes, and teachers will usually be happy to find an alternative time if something comes up. Online English means flexibility and convenience.
What else is good?
The class materials will already be online for easy sharing and students can quickly access them for home practice.
Are there any problems?
Distractions. I can see when your eyes start to look at another part of the screen. You’ve just received a Teams message. Stop multitasking!
Distractions can be a real problem with online classes, especially in a group where you can quietly drift off into Oikotie.
A lack of engagement, especially in larger group classes, can really reduce the effectiveness of online classes.
Another issue can be the lack of energy in the class. Face-to-face classes are dynamic and exciting, and a good teacher will bring bundles of positive energy as well. This can all be lost in online classes and if the teacher is not careful. the result can be…boring.
Are they effective?
One-to-one online classes definitely work. They are usually focused, efficient, and the flexibility means they are simply more likely to happen, and that is often the most important factor. You‘ll never improve your English if the class is always cancelled.
Online group classes can work, but it can be difficult to focus, and a lot of the interactive energy is missing. Also, many of the main benefits of face-to-face group classes are lost (see below).
Face-to-Face Classes
Do they work?
Face-to-face classes often happen at the office. Group classes are usually in a meeting room, but some smaller classes can take place in a private office space. Good language centres will have classrooms you can use, and I’ve also had classes with busy students over lunch or in a cafe.
Materials can be printed or on a screen, and smart teachers will usually keep notes which can be sent to the students after the class.
Why are face-to-face classes great?
Atmosphere. That’s what we usually miss from work, and that’s what I miss from online classes. Face-to-face classes are just, more fun.
For groups especially it’s a great chance to interact, share and work together. Students often come from different areas of the company, so each person has something unique to contribute and when face-to-face the teams can quickly and easily share their knowledge of English.
In my experience, there is usually a better energy. If it is the body language, the meeting room or the face-to-face element, I don’t know. But it is certainly easier for a teacher to bring their own energy into the classroom, which can help a lot. Face-to-face classes mean interaction and engagement.
This face-to-face element can also help with nervous students. A teacher’s calm energy can reassure in a scary situation.
There are also fewer distractions from phones and laptops. It seems much ruder to answer a message when you are in a face-to-face meeting.
What else is good?
Face-to-face classes have a certain seriousness and professional feel. This is English class, not just another random online meeting.
Finally, there is a feeling of value for money to a face-to-face class. You are getting a real person coming to your premises, not just a face on a screen. That shows you are serious about improving English at the workplace.
Are there any problems
Scheduling. As we know, it can be difficult to arrange a meeting with just one person. With more than three people, it seems literally impossible to find a date when all of you will be available.
English classes at work can be planned into the workday, which makes things easier. However, face-to-face classes are usually difficult to reschedule.
You also need to be physically close to the teacher. In Helsinki, this is not usually a problem. If you operate in a more remote location, it could be. I once heard of a job for a mining company in the in the middle of the Andes desert. They had to offer full board and accommodation, plus transport from the nearest major city.
Are they effective?
One-to-one face-to-face classes are very effective. They are focused, engaging, friendly, and have fewer problems or distractions caused by technology.
Group classes are also effective, especially for sharing and interacting among colleagues. Scheduling can be an issue, and it is more likely that participants will be absent.
Conclusion
Both online and face-to-face classes work, and they are definitely both better than no classes at all. I would first ask the question, “what are you trying to achieve?”
For quick results for a single student (preparing for a presentation, conference, board meeting, etc.) I suggest online classes simply because they are simpler to organise and reschedule, and for busy businesspeople, this means they are more likely to happen.
But for groups, I feel the benefits of working together with your colleagues in English is huge. There are many holistic benefits to group classes (as well as improving English) which more companies should appreciate. You can read more about this here.
My favourite solution, that I would recommend to companies that are really serious about integrating English skills into the workplace, is a hybrid set up.
- Weekly one-to-one classes online
plus
- A regular (once a month) face-to-face group meeting at the office.
This allows focused work online, and then a dynamic group meeting – a great chance to show progress, practice and interact with colleagues.
Whatever your situation, and every company will have their own goals and problems, we’ll help you find a solution. Give us a call. We speak English and Finnish and we’re always happy to help.
Glossary
Rat race – The unpleasant, competitive side of business
Occasionally – Happening sometimes but not often
Premises – The land and buildings owned by someone, especially by a company or organisation
Relocated – Moved to a different place
Drift off – To gradually fall asleep
Unique – Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
Reassure -To say or do something to remove the doubts and fears of someone
Literally – In a literal manner or sense; exactly
Appreciate – To recognise the full worth of something or someone
About the Author
Henry Loveless is a copywriter, teacher and examiner based in Helsinki, Finland. He has worked for many notable clients including Otava, The Finnish Defence Forces and Lindström. He has been part of the Finnbrit team since 2015. He is currently writing a textbook for English learners, Come Along, which will be published in 2026.
When he is not working, he can be found trail running, orienteering or working on his allotment.