Online Language Learning Market Growth By End-user, Language and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027

The online language learning market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20% between 2022 and 2027. The online language learning market size is forecast to increase by USD 36,400.33 million. The growth of the market depends on several factors, including cost benefits and flexibility of online language learning, emphasis on language learning by the corporate sector, and increasing enrollment of foreign students.

This online language learning market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (courses, solutions, and apps), language (English, Mandarin, Spanish, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). It also includes an in-depth analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges. Furthermore, the report includes historic market data from 2017 to 2021.

What will be the Size of the Online Language Learning Market During the Forecast Period?

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Online Language Learning Market: Key Drivers, Trends, Challenges, and Customer Landscape

The cost benefits and flexibility of online language learning are notably driving the market growth, although the threat from open sources may impede the market growth. Our researchers analyzed the data with 2022 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

Key Online Language Learning Market Driver

The cost benefits and flexibility of online language learning are notably driving the online language learning market growth. Online language learning programs cost less than offline programs. There is no need for classrooms, equipment, and other physical facilities in online language learning programs. The minimum requirements for an online language study program are the software and hardware needed to enroll and complete coursework. In addition, online language learning apps and software are becoming easily accessible with the rapid digital penetration worldwide. Similarly, some of the user advantages of online learning are easy registration, time flexibility, customized learning materials, live chat and forums, instant feedback on quizzes and tests, and the ability to learn at your own pace. Therefore, the cost advantages and other additional benefits of online language learning programs are important criteria that make this platform more popular than offline language learning programs. It is also the fastest-growing segment of the language learning market. Therefore, the low cost of online language learning combined with its benefits will boost the growth of the online language learning market during the forecast period.  

Along with all this, learning a foreign language has become an integral part of the business. Organizations around the world encourage their employees to acquire multilingual skills. For example, in APAC, companies encourage their employees to learn English and other European languages. Local employees are encouraged by companies to enroll in online language learning programs. Therefore, business focus on language learning will be another key driver of the global online language learning market during the forecast period. 

Significant Online Language Learning Market Trends

The use of Artificial Intelligence in language learning is a key trend influencing the online language learning market growth. The length of an online language program is the second most important criterion for learners after price. However, the time it takes to master a language is subjective and depends on individual learning abilities. The introduction of AI in language learning has been found to reduce the time it takes to master a language compared to traditional language learning methods. For example, Duolingo offers an AI-powered chatbot that supports language learning. The company has three bot (virtual) characters to make language learning more interactive. AI can reduce the time, money, and effort required to complete an online or app-based course and fully personalize each student's digital language learning. Currently, there are many smartphone applications available in the market that use AI to allow users to learn a new language by spending a short amount of time each day with the help of AI.

The online language learning platform's curriculum is highly relevant and adapted to the learners' needs. Learning content is tailored for business learners, students, travelers, and more. Although the implementation of AI in language learning is still in its early stages, it is expected to gain greater acceptance among users, driving the growth of the focus market during the forecast period. 

Major Online Language Learning Market Challenge

The threat from open sources is challenging the online language learning market growth. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are easily available in open source. This poses a major threat to the global online language-learning market. MOOCs are also rapidly being adopted by users around the world. The growth of MOOCs is having a major negative impact on the global online language-learning market. Coursera, edX, XuetangX, Udacity, and FutureLearn are the top five MOOC platforms. Also, the providers of open-source online language learning courses are working with educational institutions to capitalize on market opportunities. Similarly, educational institutions partner with MOOCs to provide training in learning different languages. Therefore, increasing collaboration between MOOC providers and educational institutions will hamper the growth of the online language learning market during the forecast period. 

Along with all this, the lack of social interaction and community building in online language learning can pose serious problems for the field. Language learning is social. Students often benefit from opportunities to practice speaking with others and participate in group activities. Learners may have more opportunities to interact personally with peers and teachers and form lasting relationships that support their academic development. Building a community is essential to attracting and motivating learners. Students are more likely to stay motivated and committed to their learning when they feel part of a community of language learners. Due to the availability of effective social interaction, students and consumers opting for offline language learning are likely to pose a challenge to the online language learning market during the forecast period. 

Key Online Language Learning Market Customer Landscape

The report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.

Global Online Language Learning Market Customer Landscape

Who are the Major Online Language Learning Market Vendors?

Vendors are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

Berlitz Corp: The company offers different language courses, such as Spanish, English, Japanese, and Italian, for individuals and different educational institutes.

The report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about more than 15 market vendors, including:

• Babbel GmbH
• Cengage Learning Holdings II Inc.
• Chegg Inc.
• Duolingo Inc.
• Educational Testing Service
• EF Education First Ltd.
• Enux Education Ltd.
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.
• inlingua International Ltd.
• iTutorGroup Inc.
• IXL Learning Inc.
• Linguarama International Ltd.
• McGraw Hill LLC
• New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.
• Oxford University Press
• Pearson Plc
• Sanako Oy
• Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd.
• Voxy Inc.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

What is the Fastest-Growing Segments in the Online Language Learning Market?

The market share growth by the courses segment will be significant during the forecast period. Courses are the heart of any language learning program as they cover all curriculum/content designed for learning a language. According to the scope of the report, courses include digital content and courseware to aid language learning. Certain basic hardware infrastructure is also required to access courses. However, vendors in the online language learning market are developing courses that are compatible with any smart device.

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The courses segment was valued at USD 4,827.82 million in 2017 and continued to grow until 2021. The course segment of the market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The course segment by language was dominated by English, followed by Chinese. There is not much difference across the language learning product bundles. However, providers in the market differentiate themselves in the courses they offer and the structure of their courses. Course coverage is differentiated according to the requirements of different learner categories.  The courses segment is primarily driven by the rapid growth of self-paced learning in the education market. Individual end-user segments consisting of students and business people are the primary user segments for self-directed learning methods. With the increasing number of international companies and the increasing number of international students, the need to learn foreign languages ??is increasing. Overall, the course segment of the online language learning market is expected to witness accelerated year-on-year growth during the forecast period.

Which are the Key Regions for the Online Language Learning Market?

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APAC is estimated to contribute 43% to the growth of the global online language learning market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

APAC is the largest geographical segment in the online language learning market. The APAC market is expected to continue its dominance by registering significant growth during the forecast period. China, India, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore will contribute the most to the growth of the online language learning market in the Asia-Pacific region. English is the most widely studied foreign language in APAC, followed by Chinese. The Asia-Pacific online language learning market is expected to be driven by increasing enrollment of Asian students in overseas universities in North America and Europe. Apart from that, Asia is also emerging as a global hub for manufacturing and services. Therefore, it has become necessary for professionals to learn foreign languages to converse with clients in different countries. In addition, many schools in the region are investing in digital learning platforms and cloud-based learning solutions. Due to these factors, the online language learning market in APAC is expected to witness rapid growth during the forecast period. 

The spike in COVID-19 cases and related deaths in the first half of 2020 forced the government to implement a nationwide lockdown. Offline language learning centers were closed in 2020 to curb the spread of the disease. This has forced students and teachers to shift to online learning and teaching. The pandemic played a role in driving the adoption of digital language learning platforms. However, in 2021, a massive vaccination campaign and other government initiatives have lifted lockdown restrictions and resumed business operations for offline language learning. However, the adoption of online language learning services increased after the pandemic, with providers offering recorded online training sessions via mobile applications. Therefore, these factors are expected to drive the growth of the global online language learning market between 2023 and 2027. period. 

Segment Overview

The online language learning market report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027. 

• End-user Outlook (USD Million, 2017 - 2027)
  • Courses
  • Solutions
  • Apps

• Language Outlook (USD Million, 2017 - 2027)
  • English
  • Mandarin
  • Spanish
  • Others

• Region Outlook (USD Million, 2017 - 2027)
  • North America
    • The U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • U.K.
    • Germany
    • France
    • Rest of Europe
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
  • South America
    • Chile
    • Brazil
  • Middle East & Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Parent Market Analysis

Technavio classifies the global online language learning market as part of the global education services market. The parent market, the global education services market includes products, services, and solutions offered to educational institutions, business institutions, students, parents, individuals, and teachers. Technavio calculates the global education services market size based on the total revenue generated by manufacturers/vendors of equipment, software, teaching materials, solutions, and services. 

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Online Language Learning Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the online language learning market between 2023 and 2027
• Precise estimation of the size of the online language learning market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market industry across APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• Thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of online language learning market vendors

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