1. Which language courses can I take?
2. How do I know if the introductory course is of benefit to me?
3. Can I try the language course for free?
5. Which level can I expect to reach at the end of the introductory course?
6. How is a language course structured?
7. How long is the course? Is there a fixed time schedule?
8. What is the teaching method?
11. What is the difference between 'Standard Course' or 'Lessons' and the tutorial services?
12. Can I receive a certificate at the end of the course?
1. Which language courses can I take?
At the moment LearnPlus offers two introductory courses: Español 1 (Spanish language) and Deutsch 1 (German language). We are working to produce more advanced courses in these two languages (elementary and intermediate levels). Courses in other languages (Italian, French, Japanese, and English as a foreign language) are also being developed. To be kept up-to-date with our future courses, you can join our e-mailing list.
2. How do I know if the introductory course is of benefit to me?
Our introductory courses have been conceived for beginners
and for those who already have some knowledge of the language but need
to review the basic grammar.
If you do not have any knowledge of the language, these language lessons
are ideal to get you started.
If you have studied the language before, you may be a little "rusty"
because of lack of practice or you may need to strengthen your knowledge
of the basics. In this case, the introductory course is the perfect way
to brush up on your language skills and improve your confidence.
We also offer a very popular service that is completely free of charge,
the LearnPlus Level Check. The Level Check is a free language assessment
that you can take to see if the lessons suit you.
3. Can I try the language course for free?
Yes! Without any obligation to enroll, you can take a quick tour of the course and learn about the learning method and all the features. If you have the latest Shockwave player, you can also enjoy a complete interactive demonstration and try the course activities first-hand: you can take all the parts of a language lesson, see how the tutorial services work, and start learning!
4. What is the Level Check?
The Level Check is a unique language assessment that LearnPlus offers completely free of charge. If you have some knowledge of the language, our Level Check puts your grammar, vocabulary, and listening comprehension to the test. You receive an evaluation of your language skills and a complete correction of your performance. You are also advised of the course best suited to your ability.
5. Which level can I expect to reach at the end of the introductory course?
Español 1 and Deutsch 1 lay the foundations of
the Spanish and German language by introducing basic grammatical concepts and useful vocabulary
step by step. The courses also aim at building good oral communication
skills that are essential in the language learning process.
If you successfully complete an introductory course, you will be able
to manipulate basic language skills and apply them in actual conversations:
for instance, you will be able to ask for directions, place an order in
a restaurant, pay the bill, buy a ticket at the train station, and generally
communicate on a basic level with a native speaker.
6. How is a language course structured?
Each course is divided into chapters, and each chapter
is further divided into various lessons, a role-play, a review quiz, and
a pronunciation check. The course also provides a vocabulary section.
• In the lessons you learn the main grammar points of the language
while practicing all language skills (listen, speak, read, and write).
All the language lessons provide interactive explanations, examples, exercises, and
learning games. There is also a language test that you can use to revise
what you have learned.
• In the role-plays you learn idioms and common expressions. There
is a 'situation and acting' section where you practice by taking part
in a real-life dialog. A language test is also provided.
• The quizzes test your active knowledge at the end of a chapter.
You must fulfill a series of interactive tasks within a set time limit.
Your language tutor will correct the quiz and send you a report on your
progress.
• The pronunciation checks allow you to test your pronunciation at
the end of a chapter. You can send a voice message to your language tutor
who will assess your pronunciation skills.
• The language vocabulary contains all the words taught in a course. You can
search for a word in German or Spanish and in English, hear the word
spoken by native speakers, see a picture which relates to the word, and
read a sentence that shows the correct use of the word in a given context.
You also find a reference to the lesson or role-play where the word was
first introduced.
NB: Some of the features described above are part of the tutorial services. Please refer to the course you wish to take to learn more.
7. How long is the course? Is there a fixed time schedule?
The average time spent to complete our language program
is about 50 to 60 hours. For best results, you should devote four to
five hours a week to the course. Avoid long breaks between the lessons
and study regularly, even in short sessions, to ensure a more effective
progress. A 90-day time period has been allotted for taking the course,
to encourage a pace that will produce satisfactory results. If you need more time, you can easily renew your enrollment on a monthly basis.
LearnPlus language courses offer complete flexibility. You can take the
lessons whenever you have time, and from wherever you have access to a
computer: home, workplace, school, Internet cafe... There is no fixed time schedule,
which means that you can take the language lessons at your own
pace, in an environment of your own choice.
8. What is the teaching method?
LearnPlus has developed a reliable method that takes
advantage of the flexibility and communication capabilities provided by
the Internet to give you:
1. A clear understanding of how the language works and a useful vocabulary;
2. Many entertaining ways to practice and reinforce your language skills;
3. Constant feedback to correct your performance and get the greatest
benefit from your studies.
The method ensures that you gain confidence and fluency with the language.
You listen, speak, read, and write the German or Spanish language from the very beginning
and throughout the course.
One key principle of LearnPlus language courses is interaction. We believe that you learn best when interacting with experienced tutors and well-organized material. For this reason, our language courses offer a unique benefit: qualified language teachers who answer all your questions about grammar and vocabulary; correct tests, quizzes, and pronunciation checks; supply personalized exercises when necessary; and monitor your progress throughout the course. There is no better way to learn a foreign language online!
To support the work of the language tutors, we create excellent multimedia language lessons. As opposed to the linear (one-way) method broadly provided by materials such as books, audio/video tapes, and CD-ROMs, the Internet is an excellent medium for providing interactive learning tools. You acquire not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills because our online courses combine sounds, graphics, and texts in the most efficient way.
Also, our material is divided into small units that can be taken separately to optimize the time available. Grammatical explanations are concise, easy-to-read, and supported by extensive drills and exercise sections, learning games, and tests to check your progress. These language courses provide solid educational content in an entertaining way, because learning is more effective if you enjoy it!
9. Is what I study useful?
Yes! Our courses have brief grammar sections that give
you the basis you need to start building your knowledge of the language.
These foundations are indispensable if you want to become proficient and
then step up to the next level. The core of the grammar is broadened gradually
so as to ensure a stable progress.
You also learn vocabulary and expressions used in everyday dialogs. Thanks
to the focus of our courses being on oral practice, you steadily expand
your conversational skills and can apply what you learn to real-life situations.
This is essential if you want to actually speak the language and become
fluent.
10. Are results guaranteed?
There is no magic way to learn a foreign language and
signing up for a language course is not enough to become multilingual! We provide
you with the best learning tools available and give you the possibility
to make this experience a real asset. If you devote enough time and practice
to the course, you will get results.
Make an effort to take the course regularly, follow the instructions given,
practice throughout every part, gain confidence by drilling and testing
your progress. Most of all, be persistent, and do not be reluctant to
speak aloud while taking the lessons.
If you are serious about learning a foreign language and commit yourself
to this goal, then results are guaranteed.
11. What is the difference between 'Standard Course' or 'Lessons' and the tutorial services?
The 'Standard Course' or 'Lessons' educational material
includes grammatical explanations, interactive lessons, role-plays, learning
games*, exercises*, and a multimedia course vocabulary.
The tutorial services include the direct support of a qualified language
tutor, the correction of language tests, review quizzes, and pronunciation
checks.
* new program (Deutsch 1)
NB: Please refer to the course you wish to take to learn exactly which features are included in each enrollment option.
12. Can I receive a certificate at the end of the course?
Yes! You can request a proficiency certificate if you enroll in a course, sign up for the related tutorial services, and pass all the language tests. Once you have successfully completed a course, the certificate will be prepared by your language tutor and sent to your address.
13. Can I get academic credits through these courses?
We are working to obtain credits for
our language courses in the US. It is not easy to obtain credit for new
courses, especially in foreign language departments, and the whole process
takes time. However, there are high schools, colleges, and universities that give credits to their students who take our online courses. Our language programs have also been successfully incorporated in the curricula of many homeschooled children.
Remember that you will receive a proficiency certificate if you enroll in the Complete Course and pass all the tests. We can also send additional documentation if you have any specific requests of credential requirements. Talk to the people responsible at your school or college, and see if they are willing to give you credits for our language courses. It may be easier that you think to arrange this with our help.
14. Are the courses available in other formats?
Not yet, but we plan to publish our language course as CD-ROM soon. We will keep you posted with the latest LearnPlus news if you join our free e-mailing list.
