FAQ - Private Instruction

What languages do you teach?
Who should take private instruction?
How fast do I learn compared to a group program?
Who are your students?
Who are your instructors?
If I don’t like the instructor, can I request another instructor?
Can I tell the instructor what I would like to learn?
Can I join a group class after I took a private program?

How can I request private lessons?
How long does it take after requesting private instruction
until I get contacted directly by an instructor?
How do I know my level?
Where do I meet the instructor?
What is the minimum amount of time that I have to meet?
Is learning material provided?
Can I take instruction over the weekend?
Can I have an instructor to teach my entire family at my home?
My child needs a tutor. Do you provide tutoring for children?

After requesting private instruction I have been contacted by an instructor.
We discussed my goals and set the first meeting.
How do I handle payment? Who do I pay? 
What can I do to lower the costs of private instruction?
Can I meet the instructor at my home or at my office?


What languages do you teach?
Our language institute can provide you with private instruction in all its languages. Although the most commonly requested languages are Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, German and Japanese we also teach exotic languages such as Estonian, Hindi, Romanian and other less requested languages.

Who should take private instruction?
Private instruction is for students who have an irregular schedule and can’t attend a regular group course. Many private students may also have specific needs or very advanced language skills that are not taught in a group setting.

How fast do I learn compared to a group program?
If you are taking private instruction usually you will be able to progress 1.5 to 2 times faster than in a group setting. Private instruction is geared toward your needs and can be beneficial and very effective if you need to learn the language quickly.

Who are your students?
Although our programs are mostly requested by adults, we teach all ages, from young kids to teenagers to older students.

Who are your instructors?
Our instructors are carefully selected. Mostly native with extensive teaching experience, they are patient and competent teachers and the backbone of our success.

If I don’t like the instructor, can I request another instructor?
Yes, although this happens very rarely, we encourage students to contact us, if they feel that the instructor doesn’t suit their time and language needs.

Can I tell the instructor what I would like to learn?
Private instruction is for those students who have very specific language goals or are at a very advanced level. In an initial email or phone call the instructor will assess the goals and needs of the student and customize the private program according to the language needs of the student.

Can I join a group class after I took a private program?
Yes. Some students start their instruction with a private program and join a higher level class at a later time. Usually these students have been away from the language for a while and take a few private sessions with an instructor in order to reach the level that allows them to join the continuation group class.

How can I request private lessons?
The easiest way to request private instruction is through our website. It just takes 1-2 minutes to fill out our short online request form. The form will ask you questions about your availability, your level, your goals etc. Once you have submitted the form, one of our instructors will contact you and discuss your language needs directly with you. Usually instructors will call you. Some may contact you via email.
You may also want to call us or come to our language institue in order to discuss your language needs in person.

How long does it take after I requested private instruction
until I get contacted directly by an instructor?
Once you have requested private instruction, an instructor will contact you within 48-72 hours.
Many times our instructors will contact you even earlier, sometimes even the same day.

How do I know my level?
Private instruction is not subject to any level restrictions. The instructor will assess your level, listen to and discuss your needs and customize a program that suits exactly your needs.

Where do I meet the instructor?
Most of our private classes are taught online and not in - person. In case that the student requests in - person private instruction the rates will be hire. Some travel fees will be charged for locations outside of Seattle. The location of the instruction is rather flexible. Private language programs can usually happen at locations that are convenient for the student and for the instructor, such as libraries, quiet coffee shops etc. Students can also request private instruction at their home or office. In these cases the tuition will be slightly higher.

What is the minimum amount of time that I have to meet for each instruction?
The minimum meeting time is 1.5 hours for adults and 1 hour for children. Small children may take only 45 minutes. In such cases the full hour will be billed.

Is learning material provided?
Material is not provided. The tuition pays for the meeting time only. The instructor will make material suggestions according to the needs of the student.

Can I take instruction over the weekend?
Yes, our instructors teach Monday through Sunday.

Can I have an instructor to teach my entire family at my home?
Many families opt to have instruction at their home instead of coming to our language center. The tuition for instruction at home with 4-5 students is only slightly higher than our group instruction rates. A travel fee for locations outside of Seattle applies.

My child needs a tutor, do you provide tutoring for children?
Yes, we have language teachers with extensive experience teaching adults and also children.

After requesting private instruction I have been contacted by an instructor.
We discussed my goals and set the first meeting.
How do I handle payment? Who do I pay?
Once you have been contacted by one of our instructors and once you have set up the first meeting, you must submit payment to our school. You can either pay by check or credit card. The instruction can only start if payment has been received prior to the first meeting.

What can I do in order to lower the costs of private instruction?
Although we can assure you that our private instruction rates are very reasonable, the student has the option of lowering the tuition by either purchasing more lessons or by sharing the cost and taking semiprivate instruction with one or two other students.

Can I meet the instructor at my home or at my office?
Yes, for a slightly higher rate our instructors will come to you and teach you at your desk.