Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Why online classes instead of in-person?

We exclusively offer online classes because:

Flexibility for busy schedules – Students can request recorded lessons if they miss a class
Time and cost savings – No travel time, petrol costs, or parking fees
Optimal learning environment – No disruptions from late arrivals, phone calls, or early departures
More affordable – Lower costs compared to in-person classes
Interactive virtual classrooms – Real-time lessons with teachers and classmates, not pre-recorded content like Duolingo or Babbel

2. What platform do you use for virtual classes?

We use Microsoft Teams for all our virtual classrooms.

User-friendly and compatible for students of all ages
Interactive features with virtual split screens
Real-time interaction with teachers and classmates
Ability to record and share lessons if you miss a class

3. When do group classes start and what are the schedules?

Group Class Schedule:

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays OR Tuesdays & Thursdays
Times: 18h00 or 19h00
Occasional Saturday classes: 09h00-11h00, 11h00-13h00, or 12h00-14h00
Process: Once a class is full, enrolled students vote on their preferred time slot
Duration: 24 lessons over 12 weeks (3 months)

TEACHING & METHODOLOGY

1. Who are your teachers?

Our teaching team includes:

Native Spanish and Portuguese speakers
Highly qualified and experienced professionals
Degrees/diplomas in teaching languages or Latin linguistics
Years of success teaching from beginners to advanced levels
Customized teaching approaches for adult learners

2. What teaching methodology do you use?

Our unique approach focuses on:

Thinking in the language rather than just repeating phrases
Thorough understanding of grammar and pronunciation
Professor-crafted materials specifically for adult learners
Published materials enhanced by our teaching experience
Interactive, real-time virtual classrooms

3. What course materials do you use?

We provide:

Course materials written by a linguistics professor
Specifically designed for adult learners
Published materials that we have enhanced
Digital materials emailed to students (can print as needed)
Option for hard copies via collection or courier

LANGUAGE DIALECTS & LEVELS

1. Which dialects do you teach?

We offer flexible dialect options:

Spanish:

European Spanish
Latin American Spanish (easier dialect for beginners)
Teachers highlight differences between dialects

Portuguese:

European Portuguese (focus in group classes)
Brazilian Portuguese (available in private lessons)
African dialects (Angolan/Mozambican) available in private lessons

2. What level will I achieve after the beginner course?

Language proficiency progression:

Level	Description	Timeframe (part-time)
Level 1	Basic comprehension & simple conversations	12 weeks
Level 2	Limited working proficiency	24 weeks
Level 3	Minimum professional proficiency	36 weeks
Level 4	Full professional proficiency	48 weeks

99% Of students complete at least 4 levels in group format.

3. How do you determine my starting level?

Assessment process:

Complete beginners start at Level 1

Students with prior experience undergo assessment

We never mix different levels in the same class

Private lessons available for precise level placement

PAYMENT & ENROLLMENT

1. How do your payment plans work?

Our flexible payment options:

You purchase a package of 10 or 20 lessons

Option to pay over several months – not a monthly subscription

Group classes: R2,990 (or from R499/month over 6 months)

Private tutoring: R3,600 (10 lessons) or R5,999 (20 lessons)

Payment plans include 3, 4, 5, or 6-month options

2. Can I take a break from my studies?

Yes, we offer flexibility:

6-month interruption period available
Resume lessons within 6 months of pausing
Extension requests possible within the 6-month period
Recommend continuing to ensure spot availability

3. What if I need to cancel or get a refund?

Our cancellation policy:

Lessons must be cancelled before course start
Teachers are paid in advance when packages are booked

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

1. CIPLE Exam Preparation

About our CIPLE program:

Experience: Over a decade of CIPLE exam preparation

Accreditation: Only accredited Portuguese school for CIPLE prep

Resources: Access to past exam papers

Timeline: 9-12 months for complete beginners (part-time)

Success rate: 100% success rate to date

2. IEB School Preparation

About our IEB program:

Registration: Only school registered with Dept of Education for IEB
Experience: Decades of experience with hundreds of scholars
Timeline: Start in Grade 10 for Grade 12 success
Success rate: Never had a student fail
Schools: Work with most private and public schools

3. Golden Visa Portuguese Preparation

About Golden Visa preparation:

Preparation: Both written and oral exam preparation

Timeline: 12 months with 2 lessons/week, 24 months with 1 lesson/week

Resources: Access to latest exam information and past papers

Success: 100% success rate with hundreds of families

Teacher access: Includes teachers who work at Portuguese embassy

COURSE COMPARISON

1. What's the difference between group and private classes?

Aspect	Group Classes	Private Tutoring
Class Size	7-10 students	1-on-1
Schedule	Fixed evenings (Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu)	Your availability
Dialect Focus	European Portuguese/Spanish	Choice of European, South American, or African
Cost	R2,990 (24 lessons)	From R3,600 (10 lessons)
Pacing	Fixed curriculum	Customized to your goals
Rescheduling	Recorded lessons available	Flexible make-up options

SCHEDULING & ATTENDANCE

1. What if I miss a class?

We accommodate missed classes through:

Lesson recordings available upon request
Access to recorded sessions via WhatsApp or other platforms
No falling behind compared to in-person classes

2. Private Lesson Rescheduling Policy

Flexible make-up options for private lessons:

24 Hours advance notice: Reschedule via email or WhatsApp

4 Hours advance notice: Emergency rescheduling via WhatsApp only

Less than 4 hours notice: Lesson will be forfeited

Make-up lessons: Scheduled based on teacher availability

Communication: Always notify us as soon as possible

3. Group Class Missed Sessions

For group classes:

Recorded lessons provided upon request
No rescheduling of group sessions
Access to materials and lesson summaries
Teacher support for catching up

4. Can I change my class schedule?

Scheduling flexibility:

Group classes: Fixed schedule once voted on by class

Private lessons: Flexible scheduling around your availability

Rescheduling requests: Processed within 24 hours

Multiple time preferences can be provided

CERTIFICATION & ACCREDITATION

1. What certification do you provide?

Our certification includes:

SAQA accredited through Wits University partnership
Internationally recognized certificates
Skills-based certification reflecting actual proficiency levels
Used by students worldwide for employment and education

2. How are you different from university language programs?

Key distinctions:

We focus on practical language skills
Universities offer degrees in foreign languages
Our certificates prove proficiency for employment
Faster, more focused on actual language use

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

1. What if I'm moving to another country?

We support students relocating:

Continue lessons from anywhere with similar time zones
Satellite branch in Valencia, Spain
Online platform accessible worldwide
Recommend continuing to avoid language barriers abroad

2. Do you offer corporate training?

Corporate program features:

Customized training for businesses and teams
Online or in-person at your office
Industry-specific vocabulary and scenarios
Flexible scheduling around business hours
Custom quotes based on team size and requirements

3. Can two students share a private lesson package?

Shared lesson options:

Initial discount for multiple students
Can convert to individual packages if schedules conflict
Payment plan adjustments available
Lesson transfer between students possible

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. What do I need for online classes?

Technical requirements:

Computer/laptop/tablet with camera and microphone
Stable internet connection
Microsoft Teams application
Email access for course materials
Ability to print materials (optional)
WhatsApp for emergency communications

SUCCESS TIPS

1. How can I maximize my learning success?

Recommendations for best results:

Consistent attendance and participation
Regular practice outside of class
Communication with teachers about challenges
Utilize all provided materials
Apply the language in real-life situations when possible
Plan ahead for any schedule changes

2. Communication Guidelines

How to stay connected:

Email: For general enquiries and 24-hour rescheduling
WhatsApp: For urgent communications and 4-hour emergency rescheduling
Microsoft Teams: For classroom interaction and materials
Response time: Within 24 hours for all communications

IMPORTANT POLICIES

1. Attendance & Punctuality

To ensure the best learning experience:

Join classes 5 minutes early to troubleshoot technical issues
Consistent attendance maximizes learning progress
Communicate absences as early as possible
Utilize rescheduling options for private lessons when needed

2. Emergency Situations

For unexpected circumstances:

WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach us for emergencies
4-hour window for emergency rescheduling
Documentation may be required for repeated emergency reschedules
We understand that genuine emergencies happen

3. Lesson Cancellations

If you need to cancel a lesson please read or Lesson Cancellation Policy.

CONTACT & SUPPORT

1. What support is available outside of class?

Additional support includes:

Teacher accessibility for questions
Lesson recordings for review
WhatsApp communication for quick queries and emergencies
Email support from administrative team
Progress assessments and feedback
Technical support for platform issues

2. How do I request a lesson recording?

For missed group classes:

Email or WhatsApp your request within 24 hours of missed class
Recording link provided within 48 hours
Available for 7 days after sharing
Download option for personal review

3. Emergency Contact Information

For urgent lesson cancellations and emergencies:

Email: admin@languagemicasa.com (24/7 monitoring)
WhatsApp: +27 72 189 0506 or +27 82 301 5481 (24/7)
Address: International House, 5 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town

For any other questions not covered here, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via email or WhatsApp! We’re here to ensure your language learning journey is successful and enjoyable.