The Yorschool Way

HOW DO THE LESSONS WORK ONLINE?

Each lesson is made up of a Power Point containing a lot of visuals and varied tasks, newspaper extracts, speaking topics, grammar practice, etc. We make all the notes and write in your answers during the lesson, so that you can just concentrate on speaking, listening and reading and then we send you the completed Power Point at the end of each lesson.

HOW ARE THE LESSONS STRUCTURED?

All of our lessons take place online, so that we can reach you wherever you are in the world. Yorschool sessions are learner-centred, in that the learner quite quickly develops the confidence to speak, without worrying about every grammar point, pronunciation hiccup or tense confusion. These can all be ironed out gradually as your language speaking builds in confidence.

We use Skype, because this platform is free to download and very user-friendly. All Power Point presentations and PDFs can be easily shared and after each lesson the students receive the used teaching material (with all notes) via the Skype sharing platform, so that they can easily download everything and read it again and again in the future. Some students choose to record the lessons, to refresh their memory whilst revising.

During the lessons our tutors take notes, write down the answers as well as a lot of grammar examples and vocabulary so that the students can concentrate on speaking and understanding the grammar and vocabulary.

For school-age students, parents receive regular, detailed feedback. Some parents also like to have weekly vocabulary lists so that they can also help their children in between sessions. Parents always receive feedback and vocabulary lists in their own language, as well as in English.

WHAT MAKES YORSCHOOL DIFFERENT?

Our sessions are student-led, with your individual needs at the centre of how we plan and deliver them.

For school-age pupils, this means we can offer support for school exams, from helping with every vocabulary test, to helping our students grasp the idea of tenses, verb conjugation, to how to pass exams.

We teach adults who need to learn German for a specific purpose, such as to pass the German citizenship test. Recently a very happy client managed to pass her four tests with flying colours, much to her relief, so that she can remain living in Germany.

Two current English clients have been learning German since February 2020, aiming to move to Berlin later this year.

Over the past couple of years we've worked with a Japanese student living in England. We've taken her through her whole GCSE English language and literature course, as well her IELTS exams and we have coached her for the Oxbridge exam.

Several of our German students have been learning English with us for a year or so, now as we are taking them through to their A Level in English, helping every step of the way. We buy their school text books, as well as every literature book which they have to study and we constantly adapt our lessons, to match with their weekly (or sometimes daily) needs. We also check any written tasks, if required, via email between lessons.

For every Yorschool student, the content and format of the lessons will vary from week to week and depend on what kind of support the student needs at that particular moment.

Through innovative teaching methods and tailor-made lessons, with topics focused on the interest of the students, students at every age can enjoy learning a language.

CAN I BOOK SMALL GROUP SESSIONS?

The lessons can be individual, family or group lessons. For small groups of two to a maximum of five students, it is useful, but not essential, if the students are in the same class or school year. Each lesson can be 30 or 60 minutes long and can take place weekly or as intensive block lessons during the holidays. Here too, the focus is on the individual needs of the students: the lesson times are flexible in order to integrate them into everyday life as efficiently as possible.

Some students have one hour per week, while others prefer 2-3 hours. During the holidays, lessons can take place in the morning if desired, so that the rest of the day is free.

WHAT ABOUT HOMEWORK IN BETWEEN SESSIONS?

This is entirely your choice!

Some of our adult learners request specific tasks and enjoy detailed feedback between lessons. Some prefer just to go through all the notes from each Powerpoint and practise these exercises and activities.

School children have varying needs, from going through homework tasks with us and then trying to improve on their grades, to having weekly vocabulary or grammar tests from us. Again, you are in control; we are here to help you to achieve and often exceed your goals. We’ll set tasks each week to support the topics you cover in sessions.

IF I AM A PARENT, WILL I GET REGULAR FEEDBACK?

Parents receive feedback as often and as detailed as they require, and achievable but challenging goals are regularly set together.

HOW AND WHEN DO I PAY?

Our clients can choose to pay via a direct bank transfer or through Pay Pal. We will send an invoice to cover five or ten lessons in advance (clients can state their preference).

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

In our initial 30 minute introductory chat and taster session we talk about your exact needs, previous learning and goals. We try to gain a better picture of our starting point and then agree on convenient timings for you. Only after our first lesson do we ask you to make a decision about whether or not Yorschool is for you.

Click here to book in for your 30 minute introduction chat and taster session now.