Frequently asked questions

Decide from your purpose, your interest, the time you can give and your current level. If you are unsure, start with a course briefing, a beginner taster session or a study consultation.

English, French, Japanese and Korean all have beginner or foundation stages. It still helps to describe your study history and your goal when you enrol, so we can judge whether a general, speaking or exam class fits better.

Graded courses at intermediate level and above, exam preparation and some specialist classes are best preceded by a short assessment. It usually consists of an online objective section and about fifteen minutes of conversation, and the point is to find the real starting level, not to select.

General courses are usually planned for 8–14 learners, and speaking, business and advanced specialist courses are smaller. The final number depends on the tasks and the level of interaction the course requires.

Beyond class time, plan 2–4 hours a week for revision, input and output practice. Exam courses and advanced courses need steadier work outside class.

Make-up classes, recordings and access to materials follow the rules of the class you enrolled in, which are set out in the enrolment information. If you have to miss several classes in a row, talk to the class administrator early about how to catch up.

Courses record progress through stage tasks, teacher feedback and a learning file; some programs also add a closing showcase, a portfolio or a written report.

Start by telling us the number of participants, their starting level, the situations the language is used in, the expected timeframe and when classes can be held. After the needs discussion we propose an assessment method, course modules, teaching staff and a delivery schedule.