Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about our services, processes, and policies. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!

1. Is doing a language app useful?

Yes, it is. Ear exposure to the language you want to learn is one of the necessary elements of learning that language. Utilize the app to ‘hear’ the language, even if you have little or no understanding initially.” It will gradually change. However it needs to be a supplement to a real course if you want to be able to converse.

2. Is it OK to start learning, stop for a while, then start again?

It is necessary to be consistent in your learning. Think of it this way: Just like you eat every day, you need to ‘feed yourself’ with the language each day. If you don’t, you will forget. It’s not you doing it. It’s the nature of this type of learning doing it.

3. How is it possible to ever understand natives they speak so fast?

I agree. That was the most challenging for myself in English as I had seldom heard the language spoken by a native. One sentence felt like one long word. The words will separate on their own when you keep listening as you build more vocabulary in your lessons.

4. Advantages and drawbacks (Private vs Group)

A. Private class instruction
You get the undivided attention of the teacher and lots of secrets on how to advance faster however it depends on how much practice you do outside of class. The practice is essential no matter what option you choose.

You may need to find other people to practice with.

Private classes may be more costly. How quickly do you want to speak?”

B. Private class Instruction with Self-Study
You will have “off” weeks of classes. Instead, during those weeks, you will receive step-by-step lessons through recorded instructions to grasp the concepts and complete the exercises. The materials provided will be the same as in the Private Instruction. While this option may not be as rapid as the Private option, it allows for progress in your learning faster than in a group class. This flexibility is especially useful for weeks when you are unable to attend a class, such as when you are traveling. Regardless of the chosen option, it is essential to stay connected with the language six days a week.

C. Group class instruction
The teacher’s attention is divided into each participant. A student that is challenged may hold the others back and the teacher has to teach at the lowest level so everyone can progress without anyone left behind. That is why we do not mix levels.

Advancing in the class: it depends on how much practice you do outside of class. The practice is essential no matter what option you choose.

The class may be more affordable.

Some people may feel uncomfortable speaking the language with others around although it’s a very safe environment.

5. How is it possible to pronounce words? I mean if you say words in class, how am I going to remember how to pronounce them when I go home?

The answer here is: ‘With recordings,’ You will repeat what you hear and you will come back to class reading the words or small paragraphs.

6. I just want to learn the language to speak it, I don’t need to write it.

That’s great! It would be possible to do it this way if you were able to learn the language in the country it is spoken. In that case, you’d be exposed to hearing it all day long and will naturally pick it up after sometime and some formal language classes. However, if you are not in the country where the natives are and don’t have a couple of hours a day to listen to the language in addition to reading it (to form your muscles in your mouth) then you will learn through various excellent exercises that will enable you to engrave the concepts in your mind. Most people are visual learners and they do memorize quite a bit when writing and find the exercises playful and compelling. One of the most efficient ways to learn new words is to write a sentence with that new word or expression. You learn words in relationship with other words. Word lists don’t work well.

7. What are the different parts of learning a language?

Pronunciation, grammatical concepts, speaking, listening, understanding, writing.

Pronunciation enables you to read and understand. It’s challenging to understand a word you have not pronounced yourself.
When you read you associate the sounds to the words and their meanings.
When you practice reading you learn to build vocabulary more easily because of the relationship of words to other words triggers memory of the words. In addition, we must repeat reading to get proper correction that in turn will be retained by the brain and able to reproduce when speaking.
Learning a new language will provide you with a fresh perspective on your native language; you will naturally analyse it in order to understand the foreign language you are learning. Your brain will do it for you, naturally.
When you do a lesson that contains a grammatical concept, that concept has a name that labels multiple words that go under the same order of ideas. For example if you study the word “the”, you learn that it’s a “definite article” to designate a noun that is known such as “the table” (opposed to “a table”, which is “any” table) and the concept “the” in both French or Spanish is translated into four different words that you will learn to match with the nouns.
Listening and Understanding – It takes experience listening to the language to finally understand it, especially when natives are speaking. These two skills, listening and understanding, complement each other in your language journey. Be patient with yourself, and clarity will come as the words detach from each other when spoken!
Writing. It is essential so you can practice the concepts learned. There is no substitute for a good grammar foundation.
What about verbs? Those are the access to the conversation and they are 75% to 85% of the grammatical concepts. They are like keys you are given to fit the locks of the language. When you have those keys, you can speak. The program is conceived on verbs, of course and the vocabulary comes with it, adding a healthy dose of new words each time.
Putting it all together. If you read the “How it works” section, you will read that you learn to speak by speaking.
There are multiple types of exercises that can be done verbally or in writing and you will be exposed to all of it throughout your learning.

8. What are the different factors that are key to learning a new language?

Commitment is an essential part of learning a language.

The main component to your success are:

Being consistent with your study
Study in small increments AND frequently to make a significant difference in your results
Personal abilities may play a role
Belief in terms of learning. Where are you starting from? We will examine that with your permission
The size of the class
The teacher’s experience
Exposing your ear to the language often
Materials (written & recorded)

9. Are there any additional materials or resources required for the course?

All materials (written and recorded) are included in the packages. There is no registration fee or any other additional charge beyond the chosen package. You can change your package for another one at no extra charge once it has expired.

10. If I buy a Group class, will I have to also buy private classes for pronunciation or other relevant learning?

No, you do not. It’s entirely up to you.

11. I learned French in the past and was unable to pronounce it. Do you have a specific way that you teach so I can grasp at this time around?

Yes, we do and without disclosing our methods, any pronunciation can be learned if you take the time to practice. It’s a matter of building muscles.

12. What about if I don’t know which language to learn? How do I make a decision?

You will ultimately have to pick a horse and ride it!

Look at which language is most inspiring to you. You will learn more easily something that inspires you.
Have you been to the country to look at the culture and see if you were attracted to it?
What about the people who speak that language?
Do you like the way the language sounds? That is very important.
Do you already know a similar language? If yes, learning it will be easier.
Is there someone you know from that country?
Would it be beneficial to your business if you speak that language?
What is your exact goal? Personal growth? A hobby? Challenge your brain? Reading in the text? Some languages may be more suitable than others for these type of goals. Ask us.

13. Can you help people who have learning disabilities.

Usually yes. As in any coaching, you will have to be willing to receive the coaching to get the results. Please ask us to know if we have what you are looking for.

14. How long will it take me to be fluent if I want to live there?

That’s the million dollar question. If you are not going to learn the foreign language in its country, it

will take significantly longer because there is no immersion. The time it will take you to become fluent will depend on:

How much you will study and practice each day (that is the biggest part of your success depends on and it is under your control)
The choice of how ot learn: a self-study, a private class or a group class (the private option is the best one however you have to listen to the language daily)
The age you are when you begin
The materials you are using
Your personal abilities you were born with.

No matter what, it’s NEVER TOO LATE to start!

15. Are there tricks to trigger speaking?

There certainly are and we will reveal the secrets throughout the different stages of the instruction at the appropriate level. Those tricks may range from speaking to yourself in the foreign language aloud during your ‘off’ class time, be curious on how to say certain words, expressions or just turns of phrases.

16. I was thinking of learning both French and Spanish at the same time. Is that a good idea?

Yes, it can be done however it may be tricky. It depends where you are starting from in terms of your language ability. It may be much easier if you already know a foreign language. Ask yourself why you’d like to learn each one first.

17. I sometimes procrastinate can you help me with that?

Everyone procrastinate at one time or another. All you need to do is first make sure that you are doing this learning for yourself. It will keep you inspired.

Then you must declare what you want to do and give your word to yourself to learn.

If that is of any interest to you, we do an exercise to check that you are in alignment with what you say you want to get out of the class. If you do it and intent your best, it will reveal any past obstacle that may come in the way and we can take those away together. The exercise can be repeated as needed.

18. My job has to do with maths. Do you think I can learn the language?

My answer to you is: Do you like language? That’s important. Anyone can learn the language. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and you may surprise yourself. You don’t know how it’s going to be before you start. Allow yourself to be immersed in the words of the language you’re learning.

19. How long after I start, do you think I should travel there? I figured that should take a trip to the country that speaks the language.

Everyone is different on how fast they absorb knowledge and you are able to use it. But if you want to be able to communicate at the basic level, to be safe, you should wait a year. However if this is not your first foreign language it may be sooner.

20. I learned 30 years ago and I think I forgot everything. Do you think I’m too old to learn now? I am 65.

It depends on people. Have you been working your brain through learning academics during your life? because if you haven’t it’s a muscle so I will need to build up

21. How do I know my level?

We can assess your level.

22. Do you teach children?

Unfortunately, our instruction begins at 14 years old.

23. How long will the homework take during the week if I take an hour class?

Everyone is different because some people take more time to absorb the knowledge. As a general guide on half-hour to 45 minutes of practice per day will give the results desired over time. Practice must be in small increments and often. Two sessions of 15-25 minutes per day yield better results than one session of 30-45 minutes.. You may take one day off per week. That is the way studying a language or an instrument works.

24. What if I miss a class? Is there a makeup option?

If it’s a private class, yes you can make up the class. For group classes that are on a set schedule, you will be able to listen to the recording of the class at your convenience.

25. For Private or Semi-Private instruction, most people opt for a weekly class, but some prefer more frequent sessions to accelerate learning.

Classes are available both online and in-person in Santa Monica. You can choose from three different options: a 50-minute (for those on a budget) or a 60-minute class up to a 75-minute class, offered in packages of 8 classes. Small group classes are held once a week, lasting 2.5 hours. The course spans a year with various levels available.