单选题 .  Looking to improve your language skills, but you don't have the time to go abroad to attend school? More and more universities around the world are offering opportunities for students to get degrees online (distance education) from the comfort of their own homes, and many of these colleges and universities are accredited (官方认可的), meaning that they have met certain standards of excellence.
    If you decide to take language courses online (or any subject for that matter), be sure there are advantages in studying online. Its costs are usually lower, and you can study at your own pace, and you can easily get the materials 24 hours a day from almost any computer in the world. However, you won't get the human interaction (互动) of meeting people face to face, as you would if you were attending a school abroad in person.
    On the other hand, the advantages of going abroad may include day-to-day chances to learn a new culture, to meet new friends with whom you can use and practice the language, and to see different parts of the world. However, there may be a number of disadvantages for some students, including high costs, time away from one's school, family, or work life, and difficulty in getting used to a new culture and way of life.
    Whatever you do, consider a distance education program that meets your educational needs, is what you can afford, and equally important, provides you with chances to grow beyond the classroom through cultural and educational activities.1.  What is the purpose of the author in writing the text? ______