Frequently Asked Questions

Does the teacher have to be a native speaker?

Certainly teachers have to master the language they teach perfectly and without accent. However, that does not mean the language has to be their mother tongue. There are language differences even among native speakers. For instance, though people in Canada and France both have French as their mother tongue, there are differences between both French languages.

 

I have noticed a considerable difference in price for different courses. Why?

The fee of a course consists of different components: teacher, classroom, material and taxes. The fee of a lesson is in proportion to the number of students in the course. The more people share the cost of a course, the less each one pays individually. However, it should also be considered that the higher the number of students, the longer it will take to reach a certain level of competences. Furthermore, the higher the number of students, the less time the teacher has to look after each student.

 

Is there financial aid for my course?

As a private customer, you have the possibility to apply for educational leave to learn Luxembourgish. Furthermore, you can deduct your expenses for further education from your taxable income at the end of the year. Corporations can receive state subsidies.

 

I found an online course, which offers me a convenient and fast way to learn a new language. Will there still be conventional courses in the future?

With online courses, you should consider that the teacher will no longer be able to cater to each student's individual needs as quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, princing will be the same as for conventional courses, but you have to add the cost of computer and internet.

 

I have registered for an extensive course and will be unable to attend for a week. Will it be difficult to return to the course after a pause?

Courses are designed to easily cover the subject matter within the given time frame. The teacher will always make sure that absent students miss as little as possible.

 

I have registered for an individual course and will be unable to attend for a week.

Individual courses are designed to fit your personal schedule. You will not lose a lesson. Your teachers are permanently employed, this is your guarantee that the scheduled lessons will be held. Should you be unable to attend, simply let us know in advance, and the lesson will be postponed.

 

I have already completed a language course and done a placement test but I am placed on a lower level at YES academy. Why?

From the very beginning, we have worked according to the European Frame of Reference. A lot of language schools have only gradually introduced this frame of reference and have to adapt their existing programmes as they go along. Thereby, the skill levels are often applied rather generously.

 

An online placement test has asserted me a certain level. Can I register at YES academy with this level?

Online tests are a fast and convenient way for candidates and language schools to obtain a broad assessment. However, they are not as reliable as personal placement tests, as they only assess a fraction of the skills.

 

I want to learn the new language as quickly as possible and want to take part in a crash course. Is it useful to take leave from work and schedule a weekly forty-hour course?

”The more you give, the more you get“: this does not apply when learning a language because learning a new language is a complex process. While our long-term memory has no limits, you should take breaks to process what you have learned. Long-term learning should always have priority.

 

A good teacher should have at least three years as well as a few hundred hours experience. Is this true?

As in any profession, experience is essentiel. The years or hours a teacher has worked, however, are not reliable proof of their competences. It is possible to work mediocrely for a long time.