ABOUT US

Who is English Context™?
EnglishContext.com is an online Live Language Learning™ Training Company. We offer a selection of expert English training solutions to individuals and organisations globally by telephone and Skype.

Where are you based?
English Context™ is a global company with offices in Dublin and Cape Town. Our administrative centre is based in Cape Town, enabling us to provide premium quality services to our European and International clients at highly competitive rates.

Who are the Trainers at English Context™?
All our trainers are native English speakers from English speaking countries and are based around the world. Trainers are carefully screened for teaching qualifications as well as corporate and business experience.

Our trainers receive intensive ongoing training in the English Context™ methodology and are continuously assessed for quality assurance. All our trainers are experienced CELTA, TESOL or TEFL certificate holders.

How can I contact English Context?
For general enquiries, please e-mail us

Fill in the Quick Enquiry form and include your Skype name or fixed line telephone number if you would like us to call you.

Please direct all postal mail to:

English Context
PO Box 12545
Mill Street
Cape Town
8000
South Africa

Does English Context™ offer classroom lessons in Dublin or Cape Town?
English Context™ is an online company. We specialise in quality global English language training and coaching by Skype and telephone.

Dublin and Cape Town are however both very well renowned destinations for English studies due to the many English training centres present in both cities.

 

ABOUT OUR STUDENTS

Who are your courses for and who are your students?
English Context™ courses and programs are designed for business professionals and adult learners who already have a basic foundation in English.

Typically our individual students are business professionals or students who need personalised, tailor-made English coaching, guidance and support to improve their English level.

Our corporate students are typically members of a department or a division of a company who have been enrolled by their employer for a customized company-specific program at English Context™.

Is my English level sufficient to take your courses?
If you already use English at work (sometimes over the phone for example) or speak Basic English with colleagues or friends, your English level will be sufficient to start English training with us.

How do I test my level?
Students can do a self-assessment test by making use of the European Language Levels - Self Assessment Grid. (© European Union and Council of Europe). We recommend that students have a minimum level of between levels A2 and B1.

English Context™ can also assess your verbal English level, free of charge, with a quick 2-3 minute Skype call. Please fill in the Quick Enquiry form (on the right hand side of the page) and include your Skype name. We will e-mail you to arrange a test call.

Which world regions do you provide training to?
English Context™ customers and clients are global, but our main market is the European Union. All lessons are conducted in Central European Time.

Where are most of your students based?
Most of our students are located in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Belgium. 

 

ABOUT THE LESSONS

Do you offer Trial Lessons?
Yes, English Context™ offers a 30 minute introductory Trial Lesson for €10 per trial lesson. To read more about Trial Lessons, please visit the Programs Page.

Which training methods do you use?
English Context™ has developed a sophisticated, adaptive training system which perfectly caters for each student uniquely and independently. Our individualised and contextualized training methodology constitutes language coaching. 

We deliver our method of training through a marriage of blended learning concepts and educational technologies with the core element being one-on-one, live, interactive verbal communications by Skype and telephone.

Do you provide resources and learning materials?
Unique resources developed by English Context™ are provided during lessons. English Context™ has its own, independent curriculum, but during lessons our trainers also make use of a wide range of complementary online resources, selected by English Context™. 

What will happen during my first lesson?
During your first lesson at English Context™ you will be interviewed by your trainer who will assess your level and learning needs. Your trainer will then proceed with the first part of your program. After the first lesson you will receive your first lesson report by e-mail with a summary of your interview, resources to work with and instructions for your next lesson.

Will I have more than one trainer or coach?
At English Context™ we believe that our students should be assigned one dedicated trainer at a time. Your trainer will be able to continually assess your individual needs and monitor your progress. This means that courses are highly personalized and opportunities for information loss between trainers are restricted.

When will I be able to take lessons?
Lessons can be reserved between 7am and 7pm CET. Lessons outside of those hours can be accommodated on request. Please contact us directly for further information.

How often should I take lessons?
For maximum effectiveness we recommend that our students take two 30 minute lessons per week or one 1 hour lesson per week or more, but the booking system is completely flexible. It is entirely up to students how often they take lessons. 

How will I make lesson reservations?
Instructions on how to book lessons on the Teacher Availabilities Calendar will be forwarded to students as soon as they have completed the enrollment process.

Will I be able to schedule or take lessons on short notice?
Yes, lessons can be reserved up to 2 hours before the time by sending an e-mail to their trainer, but preferably students should schedule lessons one day in advance.

Will I be able to cancel a lesson on short notice?
Yes, lessons can be cancelled up to 1 hour before the scheduled lesson time by sending a cancellation e-mail to their trainer. Lessons which were cancelled in due time will be re-credited by our administration staff.

When will my program expire?
1 Hour programs expire after 1 month.
5 Hour programs expire after 3 months.
10 Hour programs expire after 6 months.
15 Hour and 20 Hour programs expire after 12 months.

Does English Context™ offer TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC exam practice and training?
English Context™ offers exam practice coaching on request. This needs to be discussed with your trainer at the beginning of your program.

 

ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

What kind of equipment do I need?
The basic requirements are:

• A telephone fixed line connection and a standard internet connection.

Optional requirements are:

• A Skype connection with a good quality microphone.
• A mobile phone connection.
• A fast internet connection.

Which types of electronic communications take place during lessons?
Lessons are given by telephone or over Skype. Participants simultaneously browse the internet, make use of Live Chat messaging and exchange files by e-mail. Learning technologies such as Virtual Blackboards and online File Collaboration platforms are also used.  

Do I need a fast internet connection?
No, a fast internet connection is not necessary, but if you prefer to use Skype for lessons your internet connection should be fast enough to support Skype.

What happens when I do not have internet access during my lessons?
In some cases students who take lessons in meeting-rooms do not have internet access. In those cases students can print out their lesson documents in advance, so an internet connection would not be necessary for those particular lessons.

When students do not have internet access, for example when they are travelling or when they are out of office, lessons can be taken on mobile numbers.

Can I take all my lessons on my mobile phone?
Mobile phone connections are generally of a lower quality. We recommend that students use their mobile phones only as a secondary line or backup line. Mobile phone lessons are ideal for occasional situations when students want to take their lessons away from their offices or when they are travelling or on holiday.

Important: English Context™ cannot guarantee good quality Audio on calls to mobile phone numbers.

Are fixed line call costs included in the price?
Yes, fixed line call costs are included to fixed line numbers in the following countries:
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Russian Federation, Japan, China, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ireland, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

If your country is not listed above, please e-mail us and we will let you know if there will be extra call charges.

Are mobile phone call costs included in the price?
Yes, mobile phone call costs are included in the course fees to mobile phones in the following countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, China, Russian Federation, Ukraine and United Kingdom

If your country is not listed above and you would like to receive calls on your mobile, please e-mail us and we will inform you about extra call charges.

 

ABOUT REGISTRATION, PAYMENT AND BOOKINGS

How do I order lessons and make payments?
Please go to the Pricing Page, choose a lesson or a program, submit the Student Enrollment Form and make your payment from the Students & Interns pricing table.

You will receive confirmation of payment and an English Context™ Welcome Package by e-mail with further instructions.

Special Promotion: Currently all new students automatically qualify for Students & Interns pricing when they enroll for the 1st time in their first program.

What is the step-by-step process?

1. Go to the Pricing Page.
3. Complete the Student Enrollment Form.
4. Choose a Program or a Trial Lesson.
5. Make your online payment from the Pricing Table.
6. Wait for your English Context™ Welcome Package by e-mail.
7. Reserve your lesson/s on the Trainer’s Availabilities Calendar
8. Wait for your first Skype call or telephone call at the reserved time.

Which payment methods are available?
We currently accept PayPal payments and international bank transfers.
Please use PayPal for general credit card payments.
For bank transfers, please e-mail us for details: payments@englishcontext.com

Does English Context™ have a refund policy?
English Context™ has very strict quality assurance procedures to ensure that our students are happy at all times. We are very confident that our new students will be satisfied with their lessons and programs. However, we recommend that students book single lessons initially or order shorter programs at first to test our method and system and then to enroll for more lessons or longer programs.

In a case where a student is completely dissatisfied with their first one or two lessons, we will offer a free credit to them to receive a replacement lesson. In such a case we will then transfer the student to another trainer or coach.

Where can I read your Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy?
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy

Where can I get answers to other questions?
For any other questions, please e-mail us at info@englishcontext.com