Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about online English courses

1. Our online English courses
2. Preparing for an online English course
3. Course Fees
4. Our online social programme
5. Information for students with learning difficulties and disabled students
6. Unhappy about anything?

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Our online English courses

How are online lessons different from lessons at the school?

You will have a very similar experience if you choose online English lessons or lessons at the school. The same teachers teach both online and face-to-face courses.

We follow the same communicative approach which encourages you to make the most of your lesson time, talking and working with your classmates if you are in a group lesson. In our online lessons, group work and pair work is made possible by break out rooms.

Our UK-based teachers love sharing their authentic and diverse culture with students and they use lots of creative ways to make this possible online including mystery guests in the live online sessions, videos and virtual tours.

Do I receive a certificate at the end of the online programme?

Yes. All of our online programmes offer a Certificate of Attendance and Academic Progress Report. The certificates are Digital Badges that confirm the name of the online English course that you attended along with the number of hours of study that you have completed. Your Digital Badge can be attached to your CV and social media profiles.

How long is a live online lesson?

Please check the Key Facts section of the course that you have chosen.

How will the language be taught and what should I expect in a live online lesson?

Our students learn most effectively in online classrooms that encourage genuine and meaningful communication.

We believe that teaching a language cannot be successful solely by routine and repetition but should be creative and communicative.

The online classroom will be an environment where everyone feels comfortable to contribute their thoughts and ideas. The mix of activities will include whole-class discussions, pair work, small group projects, quizzes, worksheets, videos, interactive and internet resources.

We explore all opportunities to share cultures, both British and the students’ own culture and traditions.

How many students should I expect in a live online lesson?

Class sizes vary, our maximum class size is 15. We have different maximum class sizes for different online courses, exam preparation classes are limited to 12 students. Please check the Key Facts section of the course that you have chosen.

What English language level do I need to attend an online course?

Our courses cater to many different levels of ability, please check the Key Facts section of each course.

What happens if I feel I have been placed in the wrong class?

If you feel the class you have been placed into is too easy or too difficult, just let the teacher know at the end of the first day and we will see if another level is more suitable for you.

How long should I study English online?

We believe the longer you are able to study, the better. Most students can expect to develop moderate fluency in 2-5 months depending on several factors (personal motivation and application, number of lessons). If you need to learn English in a very short time, we can offer an intensive programme.

We are committed to helping you acheive your language learning goals and if you are concerned about your progress we are here to offer advice and support. What we ask of you is to be punctual, attend all your classes, and do the homework that is set by your teachers.

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Preparing for an online English course

What should I do when my course booking is confirmed?

When you complete your booking, you will be sent a welcome email.

It is important that you complete the following actions:

• Complete and return the Consent form, which is a learning agreement that all students and parents of under-18s must sign.
• Complete and submit the Placement Test.
• Upload a photo to your MyProgramme profile.
• Set up your Google student account and set your password.
• Log in to Google Classroom with your student account

What computer equipment will I need for online lessons?

You will need a desktop computer or laptop with microphone, webcam and Internet access. It is best if you can wear a headset so that there is less background noise and we can hear you better.

Can I use a smartphone for live online lessons?

Yes, you can use a smartphone to join a live online lesson. However, the lesson experience is best when you use a desktop computer or laptop and use your smartphone to access other quizzes and activities such as Kahoot!, Padlet or Mentimeter during the lesson.

What is the minimum internet speed for Zoom online lessons?

The minimum recommended internet bandwidth for Zoom is 1.5 Mbps. If you are at home, please ask your family not to stream videos and games while you are having a lesson!

What else do I need for an online lesson?

Try and find a quiet place to join your live online lessons, if it is possible.

What platforms and apps will I use during my online lesson?

We use Zoom for our live online lessons and we use Google Classroom as our virtual classroom and learning management system.

You will need permission to install Zoom and Google Classroom. Please make sure you have installed Google Classroom before your course starts.

If you cannot access Zoom or Google Classroom in your country, we can also offer you online English lessons using Skype and other communication apps.

This blog article helps you understand how to talk about the screen and Zoom controls: Useful phrases for describing the online classroom.

Do I need to set up a Zoom account?

No, you don’t need your own Zoom account.

How will I get the Zoom lesson links?

Zoom lesson invitations are shared securely through your individual MyProgramme page. To join a live online lesson, you click on the link and you will join the lesson.

Do I need to set up a Google Classroom account?

Yes, you will be given your student username and password by the school. Because we are a school, we have GSuite for Education. You will be given instructions on how to log into GSuite. Google Classroom will use your GSuite login (you cannot join Google Classroom with your personal Google account).

What happens if my internet connection doesn’t work during the live online lesson?

Don’t worry. We know that internet connections can be unreliable and we understand that there might be lots of people trying to use the internet at the same time.

Your teacher will have some practical suggestions to help solve the problem while the lesson is taking place.

The teacher can also share lesson materials with you on Google Classroom so you won’t miss the whole lesson.

Are all my online lessons with a teacher?

Yes, there is a timetable for live online lessons with your teacher. Extra course materials and assignments will be set through Google Classroom and this study time will be done at your pace.

What happens if I cannot attend one of the live online classes?

If you cannot attend one of the live online lessons for any reason, please let us know.

If you have chosen a 1:1 online English language course and you let us know 24-hours in advance, we will be able to rearrange your lesson.

If you have chosen group lessons, unfortunately we can not provide an additional lesson for you. However, your teacher can share lesson materials with you on Google Classroom so you will have the opportunity to study what was taught.

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Course Fees

What do the online English course fees include?

Course fees include the following:

• Selected course.
• Online placement test before your course starts.
• Certificate of Attendance (Digital Badge) and Academic Progress Report.
• A weekly online ‘Friday Night Social’ event (for specific programmes, check the course's Key Facts).

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Our online social programme

Do I only meet the students in my online course??

No. A weekly 60-minute online ‘Friday Night Social’ is included in some of the programmes. This social event is open to students from other classes so you can meet other students from the school.

Where do students come from?

From all over the world! The nationalities will vary but the majority of international students come from Europe, Latin America, Asia and Arab countries.

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Information for students with learning difficulties and disabled students

Do you have courses for students with learning difficulties?

Languages United may be able to adapt courses, or provide tailor-made courses, to help students with learning difficulties. Please contact us with your requirements and we will look into suitable courses for you.

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Unhappy about anything?

What should I do if I am unhappy about anything?

We hope that you are happy with your course and experience at Languages United. However, sometimes you may have a problem, or things can go wrong, please click here to get advice on what to do.

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