Below you will find the most frequently questions asked about French tutoring lessons and my policies.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.
How old does a student have to be to learn French?
I don’t believe there’s a minimum age to learn a foreign language. French lessons for younger students are centered around play, focusing on sounds, stories and songs. While some parents are concerned that exposing young children to another language than their mother tongue will confuse children or delay their speech development, so study has shown this was the case. In fact, the younger children are exposed to a foreign language, the easier it is for them to learn.
Do you offer playgroup classes?
Yes, I do offer classes for playgroups (minimum size 4, maximum size usually 12, up to 20 in a large room). Classes are held at my home office in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a private home owned by one of the parents in the playgroup class, or a library in Montgomery County. To schedule recurring playgroup classes (e.g. once a week), a minimum number of participants is required. Please contact me if you are interested in putting a French playgroup class together.
Do you offer tutoring contracts?
Yes, I do have a tutoring contract available if you prefer to complete one before starting lessons. Most of the contract’s content is displayed below.
What types of payment do you accept and when does payment have to be made?
I accept several methods of payment, including cash, Paypal, company and personal check. Payment is due at the time of each lesson, unless you prefer to prepay for several lessons (e.g. for the month). There will be a $50 fee assessed on all returned / non-sufficient fund checks. Payment for the unpaid lesson(s) and fee will be expected before any further lessons are offered. Only advance cash or Paypal payment will be accepted for all future lessons. For online lessons, payment is due before the lesson starts.
What is your cancellation policy?
Students may cancel tuition by giving at least 24 hours prior notice by phone or email and receiving confirmation from me, in which case no tuition fees will be incurred. Lessons not attended by the student without giving 24 hours prior notice shall be charged at the full rate, including for online lessons.
I may cancel lessons by giving 24 hours prior notice to my students in which case no fees shall be incurred. Where a lesson was prepaid, I will reschedule the lesson at a time agreeable to both parties, failing which the student will be issued a credit on a future lesson if the cancelled lesson was prepaid.
What if I’m late for our face-to-face or online lesson?
If you know you’re going to be late, please call me or email me as soon as possible to let me know. Tutoring fees are calculated according to the times stipulated in the schedule agreed upon, and no adjustment will be made for time lost because of late arrival by the student. Any lost time because of my late arrival will be compensated for by extending a lesson by mutual agreement and by such amount of time that was lost.
Do you have a termination policy, including for group lessons?
Tutoring lessons may be terminated by either party at any time by giving the other party (30) thirty days prior written notice. If a student’s behavior jeopardizes the safety and well-being of other students in a group or my well-being, the student may be asked to leave the tutoring program, and the 30-day notice may be waived for immediate termination. Any lessons paid in advance will be forfeited and not reimbursed.
Do you keep my information confidential, including student progress?
I keep confidential all information on my students and will contact other parties involved in his/her education only if given written permission to do so.
How often do your rates increase and do you give notice?
My fees may be adjusted from time to time and will become effective after having given my students (30) thirty days written notice.
Adventures in French 