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Showing 78 of 78 FAQ entries
How can I make up for missed lessons in my group?
One way you can make up for missed lessons is to participate online via Zoom. Every participant will receive a Zoom link to their course and can use it for any course appointment. All of our courses are hybrid, which means all of them can be attended online if needed.
We cannot compensate for missed lessons, but if you miss your group lesson, you can look on the extranet and see what homework the teacher assigned, and what was done during the lesson you missed. In this way, you can keep up with the group.
In some cases, after missed lessons, your teacher will send you an email with worksheets or other documents you might need. If they know in advance that you are going to be absent, you can agree on a plan.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Missed lesson | Zoom link | Hybrid | Online
Can I get good speaking practice in a small group class?
Yes, because the group has three to maximum six people, you get maximum speaking practice.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Speaking | Small group | Maximum
How many teachers will I have in my small group course?
You will have one teacher who teaches the entire course, certainly for half a year, sometimes for one year or two years or even longer.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Small group | Teacher
Can I do a trial lesson in my course?
Yes and no. If you want to have a place in one of our courses, you have to book it and pay for it online. However, if after the first appointment you are not satisfied for any reason, and you write us an email within one day, we will reimburse you for all but the first appointment. You also have to pay for the book you received.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Online | Reimbursement | Trial lesson
What does hybrid mean?
All our courses are hybrid courses, meaning you can participate in person whenever that is possible for you, and when it isn’t possible, you can participate online via Zoom.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Hybrid
When do small groups take place?
Small groups take place once a week, either in the evenings, or at lunchtime. Different course times are available. Small groups have 3 to max. 6 people.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Small group
When I have finished A1 in my evening course, can I go right on and start A2?
Yes, you can.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Integration / evening course
What if my level is different from the others in my group?
If your level is different from the others in your group, please contact us so that we can help you find a new group that is better matched to your level. Sometimes people learn faster than the others in the group, and you can change groups.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Level
If I can no longer attend my evening course, can I switch to a Saturday course?
If you can no longer attend your evening course, you can switch to a Saturday course. Please contact us.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Saturday | Integration / evening course
My group is going on through the summer, but I’m going on holiday for three weeks. what can I do?
Different people go on holiday at different times, so your group will take place, even though you are on holiday. You have different options. One option is to take part online while you are on holiday, if that is convenient for you. Another option is to work with the teacher to get some assignments to do while you’re on holiday, if you wish. In this way, you will keep up with your group. A third option is just to relax, knowing that you’re going to miss a few appointments. Everyone misses appointments here and there, and it’s usually not a problem.
With private lesson courses, you have the full flexibility to cancel appointments whenever you need to, but in group courses, the group always takes place. if you can’t attend, you might lose a lesson now and then.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Summer | Holiday | Teacher
I have to drop off my child at school, and I will sometimes be late for my course. Is this a problem?
It could be a problem if you are always going to be late, or if you are very late. If it happens once or twice, it’s not a problem. One solution is to choose a different course type, which starts later. Another possibility is to speak to the teacher and let them know you’re going to be late.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Child | Late
How long will my course last?
Most courses last one semester, half a year, 20 weeks.
Intensive courses last four weeks.
Semi-intensive courses, running three times a week last 14 weeks.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Intensive | Semi-intensive | Semester | How long
How long will it take me to finish A1 in an evening course twice a week?
This will take 10 months.
Category: Group courses
Tags: How long | Integration / evening course
Will my course take place during the Basel school holiday?
Semi-intensive courses follow the Basel school holiday calendar. Semi-intensive courses do not take place during the Basel school holidays. All other courses take place during the Basel school holidays.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Semi-intensive
What time do the evening courses take place?
İntegration courses take place from 6:30 until 8 o’clock twice a week. Some courses are Mondays and Wednesdays, others are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Twice a week is better than once a week when you are learning a language.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Integration / evening course
How many people will there be in my group?
Most courses have six to maximum 10 persons.
Small group courses have three to maximum six persons.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Small group | Maximum
What if my course has more than the maximum number?
Group courses may run with one person below the minimum or one person above the maximum.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Minimum | Maximum
I don’t have much time, so which is the best course for me?
Maybe a small group course would be the best choice for you. Small groups take place only once a week, either at lunchtime, or in the evenings. Small group courses have three to maximum six people for getting the most speaking practice.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Speaking | Small group | Maximum | Integration / evening course
What is the minimum age for language groups?
The minimum age is 16, because our learners are almost all adults and their choice of conversation topics is not always interesting for young learners.
Category: Group courses
Tags: Minimum | Age
Can I get a certificate when my course is finished?
Every participant gets a certificate when their course is finished or on request. Many organizations require 80% attendance, and your attendance will be noted on your certificate. Making sure that your attendance is 80% or higher is your responsibility.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Certificate | Attendance
I need an internationally recognized certificate for the authorities. Which one should I get?
Which internationally recognized certificate you need for the authorities depends on different factors, including: which Canton you live in, which country you come from, which permit you currently have, which permit you seek to obtain, and how long you have been here so far. Please check with the authorities to find out which level certificate you need. We offer telc certificates which are accepted by the authorities.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Certificate
Can I take an exam at your school?
We offer exams here at our school at all levels. You can take one of these exams on many different dates throughout the year. We advise that you finish the level, and then take the exam for that level. We also offer specialized training courses to help you prepare for the Exam.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Exam
When will I be ready for my A2 exam?
You must first finish level A2 in your course. Then you can take the A2 exam. If you wish, or if your teacher recommends it, you can also sign up for the telc A2 preparation course.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Recommendation | Exam
Why don’t I get exam preparation in my German course?
Not everyone learning German needs to take an internationally recognized exam. Therefore, we do not mix the exam preparation with standard German learning.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Exam
What is your students’ success rate on the telc exams?
In 2024 their success rate was about 90%. We offered exams at A1, A2, A2/B1, B1, B2 and C1.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Exam | Success rate
Why is there no C1 exam listed among your exam dates?
C1 can be taken as a private exam at our center. This means you can choose the date of your exam and work out the details with our telc exam coordinator.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Exam
What method is used in your courses?
We are an Inlingua school and we use the Inlingua method in many situations in many of our courses. This method emphasizes learning through speaking. The focus is on communication. Students do most of the talking and students are able to use creativity in the classroom. It’s fun learning a language with the Inlingua method, but we also use other methods. All of our courses are hybrid, meaning most people are sitting in the classroom together, but some people are on the screen participating online. The teacher is challenged to make the people online speak directly with the people sitting at the table. The technology works well and it’s fun, but it’s a new way of learning. We also use all manner of games, quizzes, and other interactive tools on the Internet in the classroom to help motivate our learners and make learning fun.
Category: Exams, tests and certificates
Tags: Hybrid | Online | Method | Speaking | Together
Is my course guaranteed to run?
All courses will run, provided they have the minimum number of participants. Approximately 95% of our starting dates are successfully fulfilled. If your course start is postponed, you will be notified by Email or phone approximately 5 days in advance.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Minimum | Guarantee
How long will it take me to reach B2?
If you are a beginner at A1.1, you can finish B2 in 9 months in our intensive courses. If you are a working person and can only attend courses in the evening twice a week, it will take approximately 10 months for each level, A1, A2, B1, B2, so 40 months or approx. 3.5 years.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Level | Intensive | How long | Integration / evening course
What if I get a new job and can’t attend my intensive course any longer?
You can change to a different course, no problem. The only rule is you must let us know in writing, by email, one week before the change then we will use your remaining credit balance for lessons in a new course, for example an evening course. Since not all courses cost the same, we will do a calculation to calculate how many lessons you get in the new course.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Intensive | Integration / evening course
What if my course has more than the maximum number?
Group courses may run with one person below the minimum or one person above the maximum.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Maximum
What are the teachers’ qualifications?
All of our teachers are native speaker or native speaker equivalent, have experience as teachers, and have the required certifications or qualifications.
All intensive courses have two or three teachers working as a team together, for example, one teacher Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the other teacher Tuesday and Thursday. They coordinate their strategies and work together as a team. You benefit from hearing different accents and getting to know two different teachers.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Qualification
What if I’m in an intensive course, and it’s too much for me. It’s too intensive.
If the intensive course is too intensive for you, you can switch to a semi-intensive course, or an evening course. This is no problem, and we have courses at all levels in each of the different course types.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Intensive | Semi-intensive | Integration / evening course
In the intensive courses, why does B2 take three months?
When people are starting B2, they have finished A1, A2, and B1, and they still have gaps in their knowledge and skills. Plus, B2 is full of new topics in grammar and vocabulary and is very challenging for all learners. Therefore, we take three months in the intensive courses for B2, to ensure that everybody is mastering the grammar and vocabulary and skills at B2 level by the end of the course.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Level | Intensive | Grammar | Vocabulary
Why does inlingua Basel take 160 lessons for A1 when other schools take 80 or 100 lessons?
We analyzed the requirements for A1 very carefully, and we have a curriculum and syllabus showing everything we teach in A1. It is impossible to cover all the topics in 80 lessons. German is a systematic, grammar-heavy language, and doing well in levels A2 and B1 and beyond is highly dependent on building a solid foundation in A1. We stand by our assessment and we think our learners are served well.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Level | Grammar | 160 lessons
Why does inlingua Basel take 240 lessons for B2 in an intensive course but 160 lessons for B2 in an integration course or semi-intensive course?
Because Integration courses and semi-intensive for the whole level B2 or C1 (10 months) are stretched out over a far longer time than intensive courses (3 months). This means learners have much more time in between the appointments for self-study and real-world practice than is the case in intensive courses.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Level | Intensive | Semi-intensive | 160 lessons | 240 lessons | Integration / evening course
My intensive course lasts four weeks, and I’m going to miss two days of it. Is this a problem?
If you are in an A1 course, or A2, it could be a problem. We learn a lot every day. Either you must be ready to do extra work to make up for the missed days, or you should choose a starting date next month.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Intensive
Which would you recommend, intensive courses or semi-intensive courses?
With the intensive courses, you will make the fastest progress by far. You are in the course every morning from 8:30 till 11:50 and you have 2 – 3 hours of homework every day. So, intensive courses are for those who have enough time for all that and who want or need to progress as fast as possible. Semi-intensive courses are for people who have many other duties such as childcare, regular doctor’s or therapy appointments, work responsibilities, family responsibilities.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Recommendation | Intensive | Semi-intensive | Child
Will my course take place during Basel school holidays?
If you are looking for a German course that does not take place during Basel school holidays, choose a semi-intensive course. These are cancelled during Basel school holidays.
Category: German intensive groups
Tags: Holiday | Cancel
Can I cancel my private lesson appointments?
You can cancel private lesson appointments until 4 PM of the day before the planned appointment at no charge. We will add the canceled appointment to the end of your list of appointments.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Cancel | Private lessons
How can I arrange new appointments in my private lesson course?
After the first appointment, which is arranged when you set up the course, you can arrange the rest of your appointments directly with your teacher.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Arrange | Private lessons
My son or daughter needs tutoring in French in school, what can you propose?
Some of our French teachers specialize in tutoring courses based on your son or daughter’s school materials and tests. Whether it is speaking and listing skills, or writing, or preparing for an exam, our teachers can help. We will test your son or daughter and propose a set of private tutoring lessons that will help him or her reach their objective. One tip concerning tutoring courses: do not wait till the last minute.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Tutoring | Child
Can I get preparation for the Cambridge Advanced at your school?
Yes, we offer Cambridge Advanced preparation courses in private lessons.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Advanced | Private lessons
Can I get preparation for a DELF or DALF exam at your school?
Yes, we offer DELF and DALF preparation courses in private lessons.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Exam | DELF | DALF | Private lessons
Can I get preparation for a CELI exam at your school?
Yes, we offer CELI preparation courses in private lessons.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Exam | CELI | Private lessons
Can I learn Chinese at your school?
Yes, we offer Chinese in private lessons (online only).
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Chinese | Private lessons
Can I learn Russian at your school?
Yes, we offer Russian in private lessons.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Russian | Private lessons
Can I learn Portuguese at your school?
Yes, we offer Portuguese in private lessons. It is Brazilian Portuguese.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Portuguese | Private lessons
Can I learn Basel Dialect (Swiss German) at your school?
Yes, we offer Basel Dialect in private lessons. We recommend that you learn high German up to level B2 before starting your Swiss German course.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Recommendation | Swiss German | Private lessons
We are two people who would like to learn together. How can we sign up for a course with you?
If there are two of you, there are two options: 1) we can put you both in one of our existing groups at the appropriate level, please go ahead and choose your group here online; 2) you can set up a course of private lessons for two together (please go to private lessons).
If there are three or more of you, and you all have the same level and objectives, then we can start a group just for you. It will be an open group, meaning more people may join afterwards. Please contact us for more details.
Category: Private lessons
Tags: Online | Together | Private lessons
How many levels are there?
There are six levels, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
Category: Levels, testing
Tags: Level | Testing
How many sublevels are in each level?
At Inlingua Basel, we calculate four sublevels for each level. at the end of each sublevel, we test your abilities in all five skills, speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar and vocabulary.
Category: Levels, testing
Tags: Level | Testing | Grammar | Vocabulary
How many lessons do I need per sublevel?
At Inlingua Basel, we calculate 40 lessons per sublevel.
Category: Levels, testing
Tags: Level | Testing
How can I pay for my course?
Most courses are paid online by credit card. If you need us to send you an invoice, or send an invoice to someone else, like your company, we can do this. Please contact us.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Online | Payment | Invoice | Company
Can I get a discount price on my course?
Your discount price is already calculated if you book and pay for the course online. That is our lowest offering price.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Online | Payment
Can I pay for my course in installments?
Yes, you can. There is a fee of Fr. 15 per installment. Each installment must be paid in advance for the part of the course that it covers. With intensive courses, installments can be done monthly. If you wish to pay in installments, please make this selection in your online registration.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Payment | Installment
Can I get an invoice for my course?
Yes, we will be happy to send an invoice on request.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Invoice
Can I pay for my course with a Basel Voucher?
Three kinds of courses can be paid with a Basel Voucher: Intensive courses, Semi-Intensive courses and Integration courses.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Payment | Voucher
What if I pay for my course, and then I realize I can’t do it after all?
If your course hasn’t started yet, we will refund your money. If we have already organized your course, we will charge a handling fee of Fr. 300, and reimburse the rest to you.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Payment | Reimbursement
What if I am dissatisfied with my course after two weeks?
If you are dissatisfied with your course, we want to hear the reasons, so we can learn from this. We will look together with you for a solution, for example, switching to a different course. If we cannot find a solution together, we will refund your money for unused lessons.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Reimbursement | Together
Can I get a Basel Voucher if I live in Basel Land?
No, Basel Vouchers are only provided to people with a B permit living in Basel-Stadt.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Voucher
What is my deadline for using my Basel Voucher?
You must start your course by the expiration date on the voucher. And you must be registered to live in Basel-Stadt on the date your course starts.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Voucher
Can I cancel my course and get a reimbursement?
Yes, you can cancel your course, and yes, we will reimburse money for unused lessons. However, we will deduct a handling fee of Fr. 300.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Cancel | Reimbursement
Can I get a payment confirmation?
Yes, we will be happy to send a payment confirmation on request.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Payment | Confirmation
I’m leaving Basel and my course isn’t finished yet, what can I do?
We will stop your course on your request and reimburse the credit balance to you, less a handling fee of Fr. 300.
Category: Payments and terms
Tags: Reimbursement | Leaving
Where will my course take place?
Your course will take place in the city of Basel at one of our addresses. We have four locations around the city if you would like to request one of these locations, please let us know.
Category: Course location
Tags: Location
Where can I park my car near your school and how much does it cost?
There are public parking garages near all of our locations. The ticket costs approximately Fr.2.50 per hour in the public parking garages. We recommend that you take public transportation if possible.
Category: Course location
Tags: Recommendation | Location | Parking
Who will be my teacher?
One of the teachers from our team will teach your course.
Category: Teachers
Tags: Teacher
What are the teachers’ qualifications?
All of our teachers are native speaker or native speaker equivalent, have experience as teachers, and have the required certifications or qualifications.
In your course you will have one teacher for the entire course. Only when your teacher is on holiday or ill, will you have a substitute teacher.
All intensive courses have two or three teachers working as a team together, for example, one teacher Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the other teacher Tuesday and Thursday. They coordinate their strategies and work together as a team. You benefit from hearing different accents and getting to know two different teachers.
Category: Teachers
Tags: Holiday | Teacher | Together
How can I get extra speaking practice?
If your level is A2 or higher, you can sign up for Inlingua online conversation. This is a great way to get extra speaking practice.
Category: Online conversation and my.lab (Inlingua online learning)
Tags: Online | Speaking | Conversation
How does online conversation work?
In our Inlingua online conversation courses, the group size is one to five persons. A teacher is always present, leading the conversation. We have Inlingua online conversation for English and for German.
Category: Online conversation and my.lab (Inlingua online learning)
Tags: Online | Teacher | Conversation
What is the price of Inlingua online conversation?
If you are currently enrolled in any other Inlingua course, your Inlingua online conversation will cost just Fr. 234. for 12 sessions.
Category: Online conversation and my.lab (Inlingua online learning)
Tags: Online | Conversation
I have problems in grammar and vocabulary, but my speaking is actually quite good. What can I do?
In this situation, Inlingua online learning, also known as my.lab, is a great solution. Inlingua my.lab costs only Fr. 99 for a six-month subscription. You can go online anytime you wish 24/7, as often as you wish, for as long as you wish, and practice grammar and vocabulary. We have Inlingua my.lab for German, English, and several other languages.
Category: Online conversation and my.lab (Inlingua online learning)
Tags: Online | Grammar | Vocabulary
I need you to write an offer for my course for the RAV, is that possible?
Yes, contact us and let us know what courses you would like to have in the offer and we will send you the offer.
Category: Offers
Tags: RAV | Offer
I need you to write an offer for my company and it will take some time for the approval.
Yes, this is no problem. Contact us and let us know what course you would like to have in the offer and we will send you the offer.
Category: Offers
Tags: Offer | Company
I need you to write an offer for my organization, is that possible?
Yes, contact us and let us know what courses you would like to have in the offer and we will send you the offer.
We are a company and would like to offer training to our staff in Basel. How can we get started?
Please contact us directly by phone or email, and we will help you set up an in-house training program for your staff. We have 30 years of experience setting up language training programs at companies around Basel. Our teachers will come to you.
Category: Companies
Tags: Location | Offer | Company | Integration / evening course
Advantages for Companies
Company courses are the cheapest training solution. We charge a flat rate for the whole group, so if we can have 6 – 10 people per group then the cost per staff member is reduced to the maximum. Also, our teacher can adapt the content of the training to your company’s needs. Your goals are our goals. Additionally, you can set the schedule for the trainings at a time when it best for your people, whether lunchtime, early morning, early evening, whatever. Finally, our teachers come to your location, so your staff members do not have to journey to the city for their training.
Category: Companies
Tags: Location | Company | Integration / evening course
Further Questions
Do you have a question that is not yet answered in the FAQ? Please contact us and let us know about it.
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