What is WebSpanish?
What is WebSpanish?
WebSpanish is an innovative way to study Spanish one-to-one via the internet. Teacher and student speak live using voice software and a shared desk top solution that allows the teacher to display the class on the student’s computer screen.
How is WebSpanish different from other online options?
WebSpanish does not rely upon CD’s or videos, but instead offers live classes and live teachers so that student and teacher are able to communicate freely and continuously. Each student is assigned a private teacher who has been specially trained to teach in an online environment.
What benefits does WebSpanish offer me?
WebSpanish will allow you to study from the comfort of your home, office, or indeed from any place where you can connect to the internet. Your private teacher will be able to address your own particular needs much more easily and thoroughly than you could expect from a group class.
Why study online instead of in class?
Studying online eliminates the time and effort that traveling to and from conventional classes usually requires. It is also cheaper than most conventional courses. WebSpanish offers you a great study-alternative that complements your overall study program, which might include group classes in your hometown, an immersion program abroad, or individual work with books, CD’s and videos.
Study Requirements
How do I get started?
The first step is to register on the WebSpanish webpage. Within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) you will receive a welcome email from WebSpanish confirming your registration details and providing you with instructions on how to connect to WebSpanish, pay for and take your trial class. The trial class lasts for one academic hour (50 minutes) and costs only US$5. Within 48 hours (Monday to Friday) of receiving your payment you will be contacted with the schedule of your trial class. If you enjoy it you can then define your permanent schedule and a private teacher will be assigned to you.
How soon can I get started?
You can register immediately and expect to have defined and implemented your regular schedule within 24 – 72 hours of registering (Monday to Friday).
Do I need to know a lot about computers in order to take the course?
No, as long as you have a basic computer user level (Internet Explorer, Word, email) you should experience no problems with WebSpanish.
What technical requirements do I need?
You will require a computer with a Pentium 3 upwards, or equivalent, processor. (You can check your processor specification by opening ‘My PC’ from the Start Menu. Once the new window has opened, click it with the right hand mouse button and select ‘Properties’. A new window should open up in which you need to select ‘General’, if it is not already selected. You should then be able to verify what type of processor you have.) You will also need a broadband internet connection and headset (microphone and earphones) or microphone and speakers. You will not experience optimum results with a dial-up internet connection because some images will be slow loading.
Do I need a web cam?
Web cams are optional for students, but WebSpanish teachers do not use them because we find they distract our students.
Do I need to install special software?
The only program you will need to install, if you haven’t already done so, is Skype™. This is a free program which is simple to download, simple to install and simple to use. Just follow the instructions provided at http://www.skype.com or click the direct download link on your WebSpanish interface. We also use a shared desktop solution called, ‘Share It Now’, that allows the teacher to display the class on the student’s computer screen. You won’t need to download any software in order to use this solution. All you need to do is to access a web page that your teacher will give you in your class. ‘Share It Now’ works best with Internet Explorer or Java™. (If you wish to download Java please follow the instructions at http://www.java.com/en/ or use the direct download link on your WebSpanish interface)
Will I need to buy materials such as books or CD’s?
No, all the materials you need are included in the program and are fully accessible via the internet.
Will I need a dictionary?
We encourage our students to use a bound dictionary. However, there are also some good online dictionaries available, such as WordReference.com (http://www.wordreference.com), and you will also find an instant translator on your personal WebSpanish interface to help you during class and with your homework.
Do I need to know any Spanish in order to start?
No, WebSpanish is suitable for students at any level. Our teachers use English as a bridge language when necessary.
Are there any age restrictions?
There are no official age restrictions, but WebSpanish is designed for the adult learner (approximately 15 years upwards) so may not be practical for children, who require different teaching and learning styles. There is certainly no upper age limit – even if you do not intend to travel, WebSpanish makes for a stimulating and enjoyable pastime.
Can I study from anywhere in the world?
WebSpanish allows you to study from anywhere with access to a broadband internet connection. Remember that you will be able to apply yourself to your studies far more easily if you work in a place that’s distraction free.
Can I study at any time?
Yes, but please bear time differences in mind; not all of our teachers are able to give classes during their nighttime. If your chosen schedule involves night classes it may take WebSpanish longer to assign a teacher to you.
Course Details
What courses do you offer?
We run a general Spanish program, as well as designing special programs for medical, business and legal Spanish. Naturally, made-to-order classes cost more than general Spanish lessons because they take much longer for our staff to prepare. If you require a particular type of program, please notify WebSpanish when defining your personal schedule and we will contact you regarding the exact price of your classes.
Can you tailor-make a course?
Yes, WebSpanish designs special programs for medical, business and legal Spanish. Naturally, made-to-order classes cost more than general Spanish classes because they take much longer for our staff to prepare. If you require a particular type of program, please notify WebSpanish when defining your personal schedule and we will contact you regarding the exact price of your classes.
What can I expect in an average class?
You will be connected to a private teacher who will use a combination of grammar exercises and oral practice to conduct your class. Reading comprehensions and writing practice will usually be set as homework rather than being included in class time in order to maximize the level of interaction between student and teacher during the class. You will be given plenty of opportunity to respond to your teacher’s questions and to ask questions of your own. Course material will be at your level and you will be given homework which will be reviewed in the following class.
How long is each class?
Students can choose to study classes of up to 4 concurrent academic hours. Each academic hour lasts 50 minutes and you will receive 10-minute breaks between the end of one academic hour and the beginning of the next. Due to the dynamics of the programs, academic hours cannot be split. If you are at basic level, WebSpanish strongly recommends that you study for no more than 2 academic hours per day and a minimum of 3 and maximum of 10 academic hours per week in order to obtain optimum results from your course.
How long does the program last altogether?
Naturally, the length of the program depends on each student’s particular progress. It may take one student much longer to master the basics than another. However, you can expect each level of general Spanish to take between 40 and 60 hours. Seeing as there are 5 levels, the program in total should take approximately 200 to 300 hours. The length of tailor-made programs depends upon the individual design and content that the student requests.
Can I use my own material in class?
If you have purchased a tailor-made program, there will be no problem with incorporating your own materials into your classes, for example, personal grammar books or other course materials.
Will I be given homework?
Yes, you will be given a manageable amount of homework after every class, depending on your course intensity.
What type of Spanish do you teach?
All our teachers employ a standard, international Spanish in their classes, free of colloquialisms and local slang.
What time zone do you use?
WebSpanish office hours are from 9am – 5.30pm GMT-5, but classes can be scheduled outside of these times. Please contact us with your personal schedule and we will make every effort to find you a teacher for the times you require.
Where are your teachers from?
WebSpanish is based in Lima, Peru, so, naturally, most of our teachers are Peruvian. Peruvians are recognized as having clear Spanish enunciation and our teachers always adapt their speed, tone and clarity of voice to the pace of the student.
Study Options
Will I be the only student in my class?
Yes, WebSpanish specializes in offering one-to-one attention to our students. Each class will provide you with plenty of opportunity to practice your Spanish and to receive feedback on your progress.
Will I need to purchase the whole program in order to study WebSpanish?
No, you can purchase multiples of 10 academic hours, for example, 10, 20 or 30 academic hours.
Can I choose my schedule?
Yes, WebSpanish makes every effort to implement our students’ personal schedules.
Can I view my progress?
Yes, you can access the “My Progress” area on the WebSpanish interface in order to review previous work, see how far you have advanced and plan what your next steps will be. Being able to access previous work and teachers’ assessments is one of the greatest benefits of WebSpanish, for it enables students to resolve problems and improve weak areas.
Academic Credibility
Can I preview the syllabus?
Yes, via this link: WebSpanish Syllabus
Can you guarantee that I will learn to understand and to communicate successfully in both written and spoken Spanish?
Each student’s personal learning progress depends on his or her natural language ability and dedication to study. However, WebSpanish has proven effective for all of our students so far. View our students’ testimonials here.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of the program?
Yes, students are constantly evaluated by their teachers and at the end of each level you will take an examination. If you pass the examination you will receive a certificate to prove that your Spanish has reached that particular level. If you pass the advanced level examination you will receive an advanced certificate in Spanish.
Will I receive university credit for taking the program?
Although WebSpanish itself is not a credit-issuing institute, we provide our students with all the support they need in order to negotiate credit with their institute of higher learning.
What qualifications do your teachers have?
Our teachers are university graduates, usually from the fields of translation, education or linguistics, and have been specially trained to teach in an online environment.
Is WebSpanish associated with a language institute?
Yes, WebSpanish teachers are trained by El Sol Escuela de Español. (http://elsol.idiomasperu.com/), located in Lima, Peru.
Payment Options
How much does the program cost?
Please click here to view course fees.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payments can be made via PayPal or by bank transfer.
What currencies do you accept?
PayPal accepts multiple currency options. Please check their website for more information (http://www.paypal.com). If you wish to make a bank transfer WebSpanish’s bank account is in US Dollars.
Can you guarantee that payments are secure?
PayPal provides one of the most secure payment systems available. Although WebSpanish has never experienced a problem with previous bank transfers, we cannot guarantee their safety because the transactions are controlled by the banks involved and not by the account holders. We suggest that you contact your bank for more information on their transfer security policies.
Will I be required to pay in advance?
Yes, all WebSpanish classes must be paid for in advance. Once you have begun taking your classes you will receive payment reminders every time you have only 5 paid academic hours remaining. Payment for your next set of classes must be received 24 hours before the first of these classes is due to begin.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, please check our fee page for current offers.
Will you respect my privacy?
Yes, WebSpanish takes the privacy of our student's personal details seriously and will not give, sell or rent your details to third parties.
Rescheduling, Cancellation and Refund Policies
Can I reschedule my classes?
Yes, you may reschedule your classes with at least 24 hours notice without penalty. If you fail to notify us with at least 24 hours notice you will be billed for the class as normal.
What if my teacher is absent, for example if he/she is on sick-leave?
WebSpanish considers it important that students’ learning schedules are not interrupted and therefore makes every effort to find substitute teachers in cases of teacher absence.
Can I change teachers if I’m not satisfied?
All our teachers are trained in a number of bridge languages, such as English. However, if you feel that you do not understand your teacher, or are experiencing any other problems, WebSpanish will organize for another teacher to take over your classes.
What if I decide I don’t like WebSpanish?
To date, all our students have enjoyed their WebSpanish courses, but if for any reason you are not satisfied with your classes, you may withdraw from the program at any time. Refunds are subject to our terms and conditions.
What happens if there are communication problems during the class?
WebSpanish cannot be responsible for breaks in communication arising from technical issues outside of our control. In the event of a fault with our system your teacher will arrange for you to be credited with extra time if necessary.
How can I contact you?
Once registered, students’ suggestions and concerns can be directed to their teacher, their teacher’s supervisor, the WebSpanish technical team, Student Services, the registrar or WebSpanish management via their personal WebSpanish interface.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WEBSPANISH AND WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE CONTACT: INFO@WEBSPANISH.COM, or sign up today for an introductory lesson.
