FAQs
We Answer Your Questions.
FAQS
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
We teach all the languages listed on our website. Because our company is growing, we add new languages all the time. Please keep checking our website for updates.
Yes. All our teachers, in addition to being 100% native speakers, have the qualifications and/or the experience to teach languages to adults and some also to children. This means that the teacher has worked or is currently working in schools, universities or other private settings. The Languages Corner finds talented teachers and hires them to teach online.
You can use the form on our website or e-mail us (valeria@thelanguagescorner.com) to request more information about our courses.
A complimentary consultation is an informal chat with the instructor of about 10-15 minutes where you get to know the teacher and receive an oral evaluation of your level (please refer to The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR). In addition, during this time, the teacher will tell you more about the program and how to achieve your language goals.
Booking a complimentary consultation is easy. You can use the e-mail or the contact form on our website to let us know that you are interested in taking language lessons. A member of our staff will contact you and provide you with the teacher’s availability and more information about our courses. After you choose a day and a time for your chat, you will be put in touch with the instructor via e-mail. The instructor will confirm the day and time of your meeting and send you a virtual link. There is no obligation to buy lessons after the chat.
After your consultation, a member of our staff will contact you to follow up on your meeting with the instructor and ask you if you are interested in booking some lessons. More details will be provided in the e-mail.
We try our best to fit your busy schedule. Please bear in mind that is not always possible to select your preferred day and time for your lessons, simply because our teachers teach multiple classes. During the consultation with the teacher, you can discuss alternative days and times and maybe find a better solution for your needs.
The teacher evaluates your level orally during the complimentary consultation through questions and an informal conversation. We also have a written placement test that we send you via e-mail to better understand your level. When you take the placement test you will need to stop where your knowledge of the language ends.
We use The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which divides language learning in 6 levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, where A is the beginner level, B the intermediate and C the advanced one. To better understand what each level is about, please click this link. Once the teacher evaluates your level, she will let you know how many lessons or hours you roughly need to reach the end of the level. The amount of hours varies according to the level and the language, as well as your effort for learning and completing your assignments. Here’s a rough estimate of the hours needed to complete each of the above levels:
A1 Breakthrough or beginner | From absolute beginners to A1 | Approx. 45-80 hours |
A2 Waystage or elementary | From A1 to A2 | Approx. 80-120 hours |
B1 Threshold or intermediate | From A2 to B1 | Approx. 160-200 hours |
B2 Vantage or upper intermediate | From B1 to B2 | Approx. 240-280 hours |
C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced |
Approx. 400 – 500 hours | |
C2 Mastery or Proficiency |
When you reach the end of a level, our teacher will inform you and give you a test to do at home, based on what you have learned with her. This is not only a way to check your understanding of the topics that you have studied in the course, but also a way to see if there are any language-related gaps that need to be filled.
Private lesson costs depend on your weekly frequency, no matter the language. For example, if you decide to learn any language once a week, the cost per hour per lesson is $31; for lessons twice a week, you’ll pay $29 per lesson per hour; whereas for lessons three times a week, you’ll pay $27per lesson per hour.
For private group lessons, the lesson prices range from $18 per person per hour to $22 per person for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For public group courses, the average cost is about $225 for 10 lessons and $335 for 15 lessons. Each lesson lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.
How is the payment calculated?
When you decide to start your lessons, we count how many lesson days there are in a given month. For example, if you decide to attend lessons once a week on Wednesdays and there are 4 Wednesdays in a month, the calculation is $31 per lesson x 4 lessons, which is equal to $124. Basically, we calculate the cost based on the number of lesson days. If you purchase more than one consecutive month, a discount on the total applies.
There are also cases when a student wants to purchase an entire level. In this circumstance, we calculate the total cost and provide a discounted price. There is also the possibility to break down the payment in reasonable smaller payments.
We mostly take USD and Euros (payments in other currencies are also possible) and you can pay through the website with credit card, PayPal or Transferwise. For US military personnel, we also offer wire transfers through Navy Federal.
You can choose one of the following options, no matter the language you decide to learn:
- One-on-one lessons, where it is just you and the teacher. Private lessons usually last one hour, although more time can be added upon request. During this time, the teacher will go over the material she sent you via e-mail prior to the lesson, your homework (if she assigned any) and teaches you based on a syllabus that is customized according to your language needs. The lesson will be taught by covering all or some of the four abilities of language learning (reading, writing, speaking and listening), depending on your goals (the latter are discussed in a complimentary preliminary chat before lessons take place). The frequency of these lessons is chosen by you, in agreement with the teacher. You can opt for lessons once, twice or multiple times per week. The cost varies according to the frequency of your lessons (please refer to our cost-related FAQ).
- Private group lessons, where you learn with a friend, a family member or a coworker, provided that the language level is the same (an evaluation of your levels will be conducted during your complimentary consultation). As for private lessons, during the group lesson the teacher will go over the material she sent you via e-mail, your homework and the customized program. Once again, the frequency of these lessons is decided by you, as well as the duration (1 hour, 1 hour and 30 minutes or 1 hour and 45 minutes). The cost of these lessons varies according to the lesson length (please refer to our cost-related FAQ).
Public group courses, where you learn with other international students. These courses are capped at 6 to maximize your learning experience and the group (minimum 2 participants) is put together by us. There are specific months of the year when we run our group courses (mostly September, October and January, as well as some short courses in Spring and Summer) and are based on a set number of lessons (between 10-15 lessons). Each lesson lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Yes. We offer public beginner courses a few times per year (September/ October, January and Spring). You can opt for private beginner lessons anytime.
Yes. Our teachers are trained to teach any level.
Yes, there are. During your complimentary consultation, you and the teacher will discuss your goals and how to achieve your desired results. We offer lessons for academic (e.g. proficiency test preparation or specific subject studies), professional (business and work-related) and leisure purposes (travel, conversational and survival).
Yes, we do. However, these are not available for all languages. Please make sure to inquire with us before purchasing them. Some of our teachers have experience with children and they will conduct lessons that are fun and entertaining to stimulate the little ones’ participation. The age of our children’s lessons ranges from 4 y.o. to 12 y.o. and each lesson conveniently lasts 30 or 60 minutes. The frequency of the lesson is chosen ahead by the parent(s), in agreement with the teacher. The minimum lesson purchase is 4. It is also possible to try one lesson before committing (please inquire with us). As for adult lessons, we also offer a complimentary consultation between you, the child and the teacher. This is a great way to get to know one another and for the teacher to start interacting with the child.
The target language is the language that is mostly used during our lessons. However, there are cases, for example for beginners, when English needs to be used. This is especially true to explain difficult grammar points. If at any time in the course you don’t understand a concept and need an explanation in another language, please feel free to ask the teacher. All our teachers speak multiple languages.
We are a firm believer that in order to master the language you need to speak it. Therefore, in our lessons, unless you request differently due to your needs, we use the communicative approach. This means: dialogues, interactions, role plays, conversations, etc. It doesn’t mean that the lesson is a purely conversational one. It means for example that if you learn a grammar topic, the teacher will have you practice it as it was a real situation. The same applies for reading and listening: questions on those topics will be asked to allow you to practice. You will then practice writing through assigned homework and specific grammar exercises.
Unfortunately, there are no refunds, unless a course or a private lesson gets canceled by us or the teacher. In that case we refund the total minus the lessons you have already taken and the processing fees (or if you haven’t taken any lessons, we refund the full payment minus the processing fees). We understand that sometimes life happens. In this case, we are happy to work with you to find a suitable solution.
Our payments are calculated monthly to give you the easy way out, in case you need to stop taking lessons or if you change your mind about them.
Please click on this link to view our lesson cancellation policy.
It is possible to request to change teacher by e-mailing us anytime during your lessons. We will evaluate the situation, see if there is another available teacher at your preferred day/time and work with you to accommodate your needs.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us...
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT US...
I have taken Italian classes from the owner, Valeria Sims, for about a year and I can not say enough positive things. The instructor is so professional and caring. Her lessons are always well planned with a variety of different activities to reinforce the topics. She makes it very comfortable to practice and ask questions. She listens to the feedback of her students and tailors instruction to their needs. I have learned a lot and have had fun!
Krystle,
American student learning Italian.
Valeria es una excelente profesional y una persona muy agradable. Sus clases son muy entretenidas, variadas e interesantes. Os recomiendo que probéis.
Raquel,
Spanish student learning English.
The Languages Corner's teaching style and lesson content are very good. I improved a lot since I enrolled. Now I can easily communicate with my international friends.
Luciana,
Italian student learning English.
I love English lessons! I am improving my English in dynamic and funny classes with people of different nationalities which makes it even more interesting.
Rosa,
Spanish student learning English.
Valeria's language classes made me feel welcome, comfortable and at ease! Classes are kept small to ensure that everyone has a chance to practice speaking and practice the new skill. The homework is manageable and relevant. Valeria's lessons are well-planned and cohesive, but most importantly, since taking Valeria's classes I felt more comfortable speaking in Italian, in person and over the phone! Being able to communicate in Italian had made my experience in Italy much more meaningful!
Rachel Anne,
American student learning Italian.
I did Italian lessons with Val for two years with Val whilst I was living in Lago Patria. Val is an exceptional linguist and great teacher. I arrived in Italy with nothing more than 'ciao' and left able to have conversations in Italian and confident in my ability to understand and be understood. Lessons with Val genuinely changed my life in Italy for the better! I have recommended Val's lessons to several friends, and would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to learn with Val!
Angela,
British student learning Italian.
Erwin,
American student learning Italian.
The Languages Corner offers a wide range of lessons that cater to the needs of individual preferences, anywhere around the world! I signed up for online Italian lessons with my goal to ease the communication with my Italian partner and his family. Valeria is very helpful in answering all my questions prior to the start of my lessons. Melanie (la mia insegnante) is a very patient teacher that helps to tailor the syllabus according to my level. I truly enjoy her lessons a lot as I get more opportunities to listen and speak Italian with the natives. I highly recommend it! Infine, sono molto contenta quando imparo la lingua Italiana con Melanie. Ci vediamo un giorno. Ciao.
Leen,
Malaysian student learning Italian.
I had some fantastic lessons with Valeria, she is very warm and welcoming and I looked forward to my lesson every week. Valeria is a brilliant teacher and I would recommend them to anyone who is wanting to learn the language whilst here in Italy.
Chloe,
British student learning Italian.
Val is an amazing teacher and I have learned so much from her. She is very patient with us. I am gaining more confidence speaking Italian outside of class and I owe it all to her! Our class is one of my favorite things each week and it was really a bright spot during the pandemic.
Julie,
British student learning Italian.
Valeria a été un professeur d italien extrêmement sérieux disponible et sympathique. Son sens de la pédagogie et de la méthode , son souci de l’organisation et sa patience sont autant de qualités précieuses qui m’ont permis, en moins de 9 mois à raison d une heure et demi par semaine, d’acquérir de solides fondamentaux relatifs à la langue de Dante . Je la recommande vivement sans restriction aucune .
Thierno,
French student learning Italian.