I want an Indian mom friend. But I wonder what kind of conversations I should have? Before that, I really need to start going to an English conversation class.
While pondering about such things, several months passed in the blink of an eye, and now I’m feeling more anxious and rushed… So, I decided to try out a free trial lesson at DMM English Conversation. Today, I’d like to share my thoughts on that trial lesson.
What are the features of ‘DMM Eikaiwa’? Reasons for Applying for a Trial Lesson
When you search for online English learning services in Japan, you’ll find plenty of options, but some of the well-known ones are Native Camp, DMM Eikaiwa, and RareJob, I suppose. Personally, they all seem to offer similar services.
Here are some features of DMM Eikaiwa:
- Lessons available 24/7
- Over 120 teachers from more than 120 countries available for one-on-one lessons
- Rich variety of teaching materials
- Japanese teachers also available
- Lessons are 25 minutes each
- Can take lessons anywhere with internet access (via browser)
- 2 free trial lessons available
- Reservations can be made up to 15 minutes before a lesson
- Customizable plans according to your budget
RareJob uses Filipino teachers for its lessons, so if you prefer lessons with native speakers, I think it’s better to consider signing up with either DMM Eikaiwa or Native Camp.
For me, the absolute requirements for English lessons are having Indian teachers available, being able to study 24/7, and being able to continue studying even when abroad. I debated between DMM Eikaiwa and Native Camp, but ultimately chose DMM Eikaiwa for two reasons.
One is that Native Camp requires coins (which cost money) each time you make a reservation, and I found it burdensome to pay money each time I booked a lesson. The second reason is that I already use other DMM services, so managing my account was convenient, and I could utilize DMM points.
Reservation method, process, screen image
Creating an account and booking lessons with DMM Eikaiwa turned out to be much simpler than I imagined. Here’s how it works:
1. Account Registration: First, you create an account on the DMM Eikaiwa website.
2. Plan Selection: Next, you choose a plan that suits your learning style.
3. Choosing a Teacher: You can browse through teacher profiles and select one that fits your preferences. Ratings and reviews are available to help you decide.
4. Lesson Booking: Reserve your lesson for your preferred date and time. Same-day bookings are also possible.
5. Connection Test: If it’s your first time using the service, it’s a good idea to test your microphone and camera setup. There’s a testing tool in the menu for this purpose, making it easy to ensure everything works smoothly.
6. Starting the Lesson: When it’s time for your lesson, simply click the “Start Lesson” button on your booked lesson page to begin.
Here’s what the lesson interface looks like:
(From the DMM Eikaiwa website)
When using a PC browser, there is a chatbox on the right-hand side where the teacher can send text as needed and even attach images.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Sharing the advantages and disadvantages I felt after taking a trial lesson…
Advantages:
- Choice of Teacher: You can choose a teacher based on their introduction videos, which show how they speak English (whether native or not) and their overall vibe. I opted for Indian teachers who spoke English beautifully.
- Same-Day Booking: You can book a lesson even at short notice, which is convenient if you suddenly find yourself with free time.
- Affordable: Costs are lower compared to other English schools I’ll mention later.
- Can Continue Anywhere: Even in India, I could take lessons daily and continue my learning consistently.
Disadvantages:
- Feels Short: The 25-minute lessons sometimes felt brief, making the content feel a bit shallow.
- Popular Teachers Are Hard to Book: You can take lessons whenever you want, but it’s not always possible to book your preferred teacher.
Comparison with Berlitz:
I previously attended Berlitz and found several differences.
- Berlitz has a more specialized approach with trained teachers, ensuring consistent quality. DMM Eikaiwa’s quality can vary depending on the teacher.
- Berlitz follows a structured curriculum, whereas with DMM Eikaiwa, you can choose between using materials or having free discussions when booking. DMM Eikaiwa offers more flexibility in lesson themes.
- Berlitz often assigns homework and reviews.
- At Berlitz, you can’t choose your teacher. If you book multiple sessions, you might have the same teacher each time, which can be good or bad depending on compatibility.
- Berlitz sessions are longer (40 minutes per session) and require commuting to a physical classroom, adding travel time.
- Berlitz is more expensive, ranging from ¥30,000 to as much as ¥80,000 per month. It’s geared towards short-term intensive learning rather than continuous improvement in English proficiency.
Summary
I found DMM Eikaiwa to be a cost-effective English school where you can start casually and have various conversations with people from around the world. Honestly, there’s some variability in teacher quality, but that seems to be true for any English school.
From my observations, I felt that experienced teachers can engage in deeper conversations compared to younger ones. Personally, conversing with Indian teachers allowed me to learn about local culture and customs before my assignment abroad, which was highly beneficial.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to commit to DMM Eikaiwa! (Applause)
I’m a bit anxious about staying committed, but I’m eager to converse with many Indians before my assignment. I plan to write another article soon about what I’ve learned from Indian teachers!
