FAQ's for Curious Parents
We know you have questions on how it all works! We have lots of answers in our FAQ’s below.
Getting Started
How many kids are in each class?
How much does each class cost?
This depends on your child’s age.
Ages 4-6 – $17 per class
Ages 7-11 – $24 per class
Ages 10-12 – $27 per class
Ages 13-18 – $36 per class
Do I need to attend class with my child?
Please do not sit in the room at all.
If you’d like to listen to your child’s class, please sit in another room and make sure they aren’t aware you are listening. They progress better with less parent involvement.
What video platform do you use?
We use Zoom for our online classes. If you don’t already have the software installed on your computer, you can download and install it now. Browse their support center if you have any questions on how to use it.
How do I access the online classes?
Our registration system is called HiSawyer. You will make an account on our website when you register
You can log in to this system and click on CALENDAR at any time to see all of your classes and their links, and also HiSawyer will automatically send the link 30 minutes before class. Either way, you have complete access to all your links at all times.
We recommend you make sure your device is up to date with Zoom and meets all system requirements before class.
How do I access the Storybooks, Songs, Audiobooks, and Online Games?
What is a Drop in class?
To “drop in” to a class means to choose one date at a time. This means you just pay for the classes you want to attend. Like if you have a changing schedule week to week, or like the flexibility of signing up with different teachers.
Make sure to sign up more than 24 hours before class starts to ensure a spot.
If we drop in to one class in the middle of the 4-week session, will my child be confused?
That’s no problem at all. We start each class with a quick review of the vocabulary. We’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and kids usually get up to speed and comfortable within four classes.
So if you drop in once a week, they will still be able to keep up. Or if you just have two weeks available for Spanish, please join us, as every hour of conversation practice will count towards fluency later.
Do you speak any English in the classes?
Very infrequently. Only to explain some types of instructions or specific schedule information. English is not needed and immersion is proven to have the most impact and give the most progress for fluency.
Do kids understand what you’re saying if it’s only in Spanish?
Yes, they do! Your children learned English by you gesturing, showing pictures, or pointing at what you were talking about so that they understood.
We do the same in Spanish. We have pictures showing on the screen at all times, or the teacher is pointing or expressing what he/she means. Your kids might have a moment of “huh?” but very soon they will understand and start to respond.
Choosing the Right Class for your Child
How do you categorize the levels for each class?
We use the Common European Framework Reference: CEFR. Those levels are A1 (Low Beginner), A2 (Advanced Beginner), B1 (Low Intermediate), B2 (Advanced Intermediate – also known as the level when someone could successfully live/work in Spanish).
A1 LOW BEGINNER
Level 1.1 is 50 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 1.2 is 50 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 1.3 is 50 hours of Spanish practice.
A2 ADVANCED BEGINNER
Level 2.1 is 50 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 2.2 is 50 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 2.3 is 50 hours of Spanish practice.Â
B1 LOW INTERMEDIATE
Level 3.1 is 75 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 3.2 is 75 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 3.3 is 100 hours of Spanish practice.
B2 ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE
Level 4.1 is 75 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 4.2 is 75 hours of Spanish practice.
Level 4.3 is 100 hours of Spanish practice.
My child knows no Spanish. Will they be behind?
No experience is necessary!
The Spanish conversation level will be adjusted depending on the level of each student or the group as a whole.
We always meet each child at the level they are at, rephrasing questions based on the level of the child – so questions might be different from child to child, and answers might be different based on Spanish exposure of the child.
Rest easy – we meet your child exactly where they are so that the environment is fun and relaxed.
We don’t speak ANY Spanish at our home. Can my child still be successful?
Absolutely! There are tons of kids all over the world learning a language that their parents don’t speak.
The number one fastest growing company in the world recently is an English online conversation class for kids in China. Their parents don’t speak a word of English, but the kids are 100% fluent from these online conversation classes.
I’ve spoken to my children in Spanish since they were born and we speak Spanish in the home. Do you have a class for them?
Classes & Sessions
What is a session?
A session is a group of classes in a 4 week period. Each session has a unique theme and curriculum so that we can talk about a different aspect of conversation every month.
We have a variety of 4-week sessions to choose from: three days a week, two days a week, and one day a week.
How do I schedule an entire session of classes?
First, choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Semester” is selected and click the Register button. This will register you for each class in the session.
Are the lessons the same on weekdays as on weekends?
How do I register for only a class or two?
You will be prompted to select from the available dates in the session. You can choose as few or as many as you would like.
How do I choose different days & times for classes?
First, choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Drop-In” is selected and click the Register button.
You will be prompted to select from the available dates in the session. You can choose as few or as many as you would like.
There is a M/W/F class session, but we can only attend M/W. Is it okay to only attend two days a week for the whole 4-week session?
Absolutely! Tons of parents do this. Our goal is flexibility and ease.
Choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Drop-In” is selected and click the Register button.
You will be prompted to select from the available dates in the session. Select all the Monday & Wednesday classes!
How do I cancel a class?
If a class has already begun, you can transfer to another class time. If the class has not begun, we can do a refund. Reach out to support@trufluencykids.com.
What happens if I miss a class? Will I be charged anyway?
If you need to reschedule, or you missed a class, email us at support@trufluencykids.com! We will offer you makeup class times.
There are 2 makeup classes available per session (Jan-May or Aug-Dec). There is one 1 makeup class available during each 4-week Summer session.
Makeups are not possible after the session has ended.
The Path to TruFluency
How many classes do you recommend my child takes to become fluent in Spanish?
This depends on your finances, your goals, and your schedule! You want to be realistic, but consistent.
At least one class a week is minimum, but we suggest twice a week if you can swing it. The main goal is to stay consistent, whatever your schedule. And simply do your best. Continuously make progress over time.
Try to avoid month-long breaks.
How many years does it take to get to a basic level of fluency?
We must speak in hours and not days, weeks, or months if we want to be honest and precise. Someone practicing Spanish for one hour a week will not acquire the language at the same speed as someone practicing Spanish for five hours a week. Just like improving your tennis game or learning to swim.
150 hours of practice is the Low Beginner level. And the High Intermediate level is about 600 hours. I would not think of the goal as being ‘fluent’, just as I would not focus on entering the Olympics if I was just starting out with a sport. Think of it as your child moving towards being more and more comfortable and confident speaking in Spanish, and working on that every week in class.
This is a marathon, not a sprint, with excitement every month that your child becomes more and more confident having conversations in Spanish!
We strive to make the most of the time we have in order to give ultimate progress.
What can we do outside of class to help our kids with Spanish?
You can read the storybook with your child, have your child read the storybook to you if they are reading, ask and answer the questions given, listen to the song, listen to the audiobook, do the online games. You can ask the questions from the story throughout the date, doubling and tripling your child’s progress.
Outside of class work is not necessary for your child to progress! If you are stressed by this, then do not worry about it! 🙂
What if we have no time for "homework" or work outside of class. Is it still worth it to attend?
Yes! Your child learned English through talking and listening to you. Not through worksheets. The main component is the class time to talk and listen. Just attend for great results.
Do we have to do extra work outside of class to be successful with Spanish?
Surprisingly, no. The talk time in class (listening and responding) provides the most progress. So a worksheet or video outside of class is not going to move the needle a ton. Don’t stress about outside of classwork.
Will it help some? Yes, of course.
If you don’t do it, should you drop out of the classes altogether? Not at all! Attending classes is the most important thing.
We only have time for one class a week right now. Is that enough?
While we suggest a minimum of two classes per week, we know that there are times during the year that only one class a week is possible.
Our suggestion is to never stop completely. You can go up or down in number of class hours per week as needed!