Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is “intermediate” defined for this course?

A: You have a good deal of vocabulary to formulate sentences. You can engage in a basic back-and-forth conversation but need to practice going deeper into topics. You know how to conjugate verbs in the most common tenses, and if you do it incorrectly, you realize that you did it wrong and you can fix it.

Q: What if I have to miss a class or two?

A: The sessions are not progressive and are independent of each other so missing one of them will not make you less ready for others. This course is offered as an 8-session package but you may attend fewer sessions if you are unable to make them all.

Q: What will class be like?

A: There will be a variety of activities to elicit speaking and practice listening comprehension from the teacher, classmates, and audio materials. The activities are designed to spark discussions in small groups and as a whole class. Students will be encouraged to talk about topics of personal and general interest, respond thoroughly, and to ask follow-up questions.

Q: Will there be homework or preparation required before each class?

A: In order to have meaningful conversations, students will be asked to come to sessions having done some light research on topics they want to discuss, such as reading an article or watching a video. This helps generate the vocabulary and grammar necessary to have the conversation.