
Frequently asked questions
Our interactive video courses are designed for complete beginners up to lower‑intermediate learners. Step 1 and Step 2 cover A0–A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). A0/A1 is the true‑beginner level - learning greetings, numbers and basic grammar- while A2 moves you into everyday conversations and simple narratives. One‑to‑one tutoring, however, can be tailored to any level and aligned with specific qualifications (GCSE, A‑level, IB etc.).
No – in fact, starting from scratch can be an advantage because we won’t need to “unlearn” any false friends or bad habits. Our courses focus on metacognitive strategies so you understand how language works rather than just memorising phrases. If you plan to book tutoring sessions, it’s usually more cost‑effective to begin with Step 1 (or Step 1 and Step 2 combined) to build a solid foundation and then use tutoring time for speaking and writing practice.
The good thing is that the Online Spanish Video School gives you access to both Spanish Step 1 and Spanish Step 2, so as long as you're within one of those levels, you're fine!
Think of Step 1 as the first year of Spanish at school: it introduces essential grammar and vocabulary in bite‑size lessons (you can see the full breakdown on the course page). Step 2 continues where Step 1 leaves off, consolidating the basics and adding more tenses and practical topics - roughly equivalent to a second year. And the combined Step 1 and Step 2 course covers both. If you’re unsure where to start, drop us a message and we’ll steer you towards the right starting point.
Learning to communicate takes a mix of vocabulary, grammar and listening practice—and nothing beats real‑life exposure. As a guide, completing Step 1 and Step 2 and adding a few tutoring sessions (about 60 hours total study time) should give you enough confidence to hold basic conversations. Of course, if your goal is just to ask for “un helado, por favor,” you could get by with two set phrases! Going beyond basic conversation will take more speaking practice, but the foundations in the Step 1 and Step 2 courses should give you a fast-tracked route to being able to have basic communication.
Buying one of the courses unlocks high‑quality video lessons along with interactive activities for reading comprehension, listening practice and grammar drills. You can also check out the Sample, where I've included 4 scaffolded lessons, so you can see how I teach. Tutoring sessions for speaking and writing are optional add‑ons, perfect if you want personalised feedback or exam preparation, but are not included in the online video courses.
Yes, you can access an optimised version of the course through the Wix Spaces app. Frustratingly, the courses come pre-populated with that link, so I can't do anything about it, but it is legit.
Absolutely. As long as you have a stable internet connection, you can access our courses on desktop, tablet or mobile. We also offer an enhanced Android app on Google Play for an optimised experience, and an iOS version is on its way.
Tutoring sessions last one hour and are fully flexible. Before booking, please let us know where you are in your learning journey so we can plan something targeted and enjoyable.
Yes! I am enhanced DBS‑checked and specialise in teaching teenagers. Whether your child wants to explore the language for fun or needs structured exam preparation, I can help. I have taught GCSE, IGCSE, A‑Level and IB and serve as an experienced IGCSE examiner. Adults are equally welcome, I have many years teaching adults of all levels! Learning has no age limit!
Life happens! You can cancel or reschedule a tutoring session free of charge up to 48 hours in advance. With less notice it’s harder to fill that slot, so please give us as much notice as possible.
All materials are developed in‑house, drawing on years of classroom experience. The interactive courses include reading passages, listening exercises, grammar explanations and short videos. During tutoring sessions we also focus on speaking and writing, tailoring activities to your goals.
Payments are processed securely through our website via Wix, so you might see “Wix” on your bank statement. Once payment is complete, you’ll receive immediate access to your course.
With so many devices and browsers in the world, occasional glitches happen. Please email contact@languagesonaplate.com with the subject line “Glitch LoaP” and describe exactly where and what the problem is. We’ll fix it as soon as possible.
Visit our Independent Learner area for guides and recommendations on Spanish‑speaking films, music, books and travel. Our blog is also packed with ideas, cultural insights and tips to push your learning further.
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