Second Language, LLC
Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How does it work?
You contact us, we ask you your first language, what you know of the desired language, the reason why you want to learn, what days and times you want lessons.
We select the instructor who we feel is most suitable for you.
We arrange a no-obligation meeting of you, the instructor, and us.
The instructor evaluates your current level with the language.
You evaluate the instructor.
You and the instructor come to an agreement on methodology, dates, times, places.
If you decide to start taking lessons, you pay Second Language, LLC, by check or credit card.
We schedule the day and time of your first lesson.
You start learning to speak your language.

2. What are your prices?
Prices

3. Are there any hidden costs?
No. There is no "enrollment fee", "registration fee", "signup fee", or "materials fee". There is no sales tax on language lessons.
Some courses require that you buy a book, generally costing about $25.

4. What's the schedule of classes?
For private instruction (one-on-one instruction), the schedule is what you and the instructor agree upon, generally the same time, the same day each week.

5. I don't see any price for the language that I'd like to learn.
Contact us here: Contact

6. How do I pay?
Checks payable to Second Language, LLC.
Credit cards.

7. Why do I have to pay first?
Our prices are lower than those of other language schools, and we pay our instructors a high percentage and promptly. All other language schools require payment at the start.

8. I want to pay after each lesson.
We must have your payment by the start of your first lesson.
See question 7.

9. I want to wait until the end, then send a check.
See question 7.

10. I don't want 12 hours. Can I just buy 2 hours?
The minimum that we offer is 8 hours.

11. Can I get a refund?
For private instruction: if you cancel after paying, the fee for lessons that you have not taken is eligible for a refund, minus a $18 cancellation fee.
For group classes, there is a $18 early cancellation fee, and no refunds are given after class starts.
Please note that other language schools do not give refunds, or allow you to give the unused portion as a gift, or to apply the unused portion to lessons in another language.

12. What is your policy regarding payments, cancellations, refunds?
See this Word document containing our full policy

13. Where is your office?
Location of Second Language, LLC

14. How long will it take to learn a language?
It depends on,
- your ability. Have you learned other languages? Were they easy?
- how different your first language is from the language you want to learn.
For an English speaker, this is a list of languages in roughly increasing order of difficulty (in our opinion):
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
French
German
Latin
Greek
Polish
Russian
Chinese
Hungarian
Turkish
Arabic
Japanese
- your motivation, your effort, if you try to hear, read and speak the language outside of class.

15. I need to learn Russian by next week so that I can give a presentation on nuclear physics. Can you help?
Surely, you jest!

16. Why are prices higher for some languages?
Because it is harder to get instructors for some languages, and because they want a higher rate of pay.

17. Why are prices higher in some parts of CT?
Because there are fewer instructors in some parts of CT or because an instructor would have to drive a longer distance.

18. I took lessons from you 6 months ago. I'd like to take some more lessons, but your prices have gone up.
If you have taken classes from us, you can re-enroll at the same price within a period of 6 months from the last date on which you took classes from us.

19. I have to work late tonite. My lesson is at 6 PM I can't make the lesson. I sent email at 4 PM. Why are you going to charge me for the hour?
Because you informed us too late. 24 hour notice is required, by phone, not by email.

20. The weatherperson is talking about a blizzard.
Contact your instructor and us and cancel. Watch WFSB Channel 3 News for cancellations.

21. Will I have to pay for the class that was cancelled because of the blizzard?
No, but contact your instructor and us and cancel early in the day. Instructors have been told to cancel when bad weather is expected.

22. Where do you hold classes?
Private one-on-one instruction, small group classes are normally held in Newington, but are sometimes held at the student's office, the instructor's office, a public library, or a coffee shop.

23. I live in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Can you teach me English?
Yes, if you come to CT. What are dates and times of your arrival, what hotel are you staying in, and a local contact person?

24. I live in Ashtabula, Ohio. Can you teach me English?
See question 22.

25. I am coming for an all-day session. Do you have a cafeteria?
No, but there are several restaurants and pizza shops which will deliver to the facility. There is a Subway, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts nearby. And we have a breakroom with snack and soda machines, coffee, a refrigerator, a microwave and a toaster.

26. I can't afford lessons. Do you have any suggestions?
Visit our other site. It's full of links to books, CD's, software and other sites that help you learn languages.

27. I know Spanish. Will Italian be easy?
Yes.

28. I know Russian. Will Portuguese be easy?
Probably, because you had the motivation and determination to learn Russian, so you should have no trouble with Portuguese.

29. Do you have enough parking?
Yes.

30. Are you on a bus line?
Yes. 1/3 of a mile from the P - New Britain, Newington line from Hartford. About one mile from New Britain Ave in Hartford which has a bus line as well.

31. When did the business start?
January, 2005.

32. When did you open your office in Newington?
January, 2006.

33. Where do the teachers come from?
Most were born in the country of their first language. Many have taught at language schools, many have CT certification. If an instructor was not born in the country whose language he/she is teaching, we tell you. We verify their authenticity before we let them teach. We will gladly show you the instructor's resume, CV and/or biographical sketch.

34. The price is too high. Can you do better than that?
No. Two reasons:
1. Our prices are lower than those of other language schools.
2. Because we pay our instructors a percentage of what we charge students. We will not ask our instructors to take a cut in pay.

35. Where are the course descriptions?
We have course descriptions for group classes, but not for private lessons because you and the instructor meet to decide on the subjects which you will learn and what books, if any, you will use.

36. Can you guarantee that I will learn the language?
No. It depends on your ability, motivation and willingness to make the required effort. We guarantee that you will get effective instruction from excellent teachers.

37. How long is your one hour lesson?
60 minutes.