Language courses for an easy (re-)start

How can I know the best option for me? That’s the question asked by many who want to learn a new language. The range of language courses is so vast – from Duolingo and Babbel (apps) to Lingoda and EF (live lessons) – that many are unsure what would be the best option for them personally. Several senses should be stimulated in the language course. Not all apps accomplish this, nor do all online language courses. At NELA, we not only offer language courses, but also free language consultations on how you learn best. We’re not in it for your money. We care about your progress in the foreign language and that you reach your goals. When you learn a new language, you discover a new world. We want to help make the world a more connected place. NELA thrives on the recommendations of our satisfied customers who have accompanied us for a few months or who have simply booked a free consultation with us.

You are a beginner if you can’t say much in the language. You might be able to introduce yourself and answer a few questions. But that doesn’t make you a professional. You’ve started learning and you can do something. That’s really great. We’ll make sure you keep at it and do well in most everyday situations. You will gain confidence and be able to handle things yourself in the foreign language. You will also be able to understand and relate to people in the culture. Learning a language is more than just learning vocabulary.

You book a language course with us that lasts between 4 and 8 months. But you can cancel at any time. If you have booked an 8-month language course and after one month you realize that it’s not for you, no problem. You can quit at any time. You don’t have to pay for the remaining months. We understand that circumstances can change quickly. We offer languages online so that you can achieve your goal, not for you to sign up for a subscription and just feel tied to it. You will only succeed in learning a foreign language if you stay motivated and don’t force yourself to learn. If that happens, we at NELA will be the first to advise you to stop. We want you to have fun and stay motivated.

Do I need a language consultation from NELA? We think everyone needs a language consultation. The reasons are different. One important reason is that there is a huge range of language learning options available. NELA is not necessarily the best option for you. Another reason is that every person corresponds to a certain learning type. We don’t all learn the same way. What excites one person bores another. We have found over the years that when we help clients achieve their goals, they don’t forget us. There have been times when we have recommended our competitors to a customer. The result? The ex-customer was happy and was able to achieve his goals better and faster. The remarkable thing is that satisfied ex-customers recommend us. Sooner or later, giving means getting. Yes, we at NELA practice an unusual sales strategy. We don’t care about your money; we care first and foremost about your progress and that you achieve your goals. We will discuss with you your learning ability and potential and what your best options are after your NELA language course. We understand that not everyone can afford 70 to 120 euros a month in the long run. We think long term and help find the best and most affordable option for you.

We don’t want to keep you forever to get money from you. We don’t want language learning corpses at NELA. Our clients stay with us between 4 and 8 months, depending on their level and language. You can’t stay with us for longer than a year. Many people ask: Why?

Our many years of experience in the language industry have shown us that a lot of students who stay in a language school for years partly prevent their learning progress. They are “overtherapized,” so to speak. They can express themselves and participate in a classroom context, but in real life they shy away from using the foreign language. The reasons for this vary, but a generally important reason lies in how our brains work. The brain loves input of all kinds, preferably in different contexts. On the other hand, our brain also wants to save energy in the process. It’s happy with comfortable routines that don’t challenge it too much. If I use the foreign language for years only in one room, always in the same learning context, then dynamic language learning will slip into a kind of passive routine. Sure, it may be the most comfortable thing to do, but it’s not the best thing for our progress. Therefore, we recommend our students to constantly try new things. Our students are always fascinated afterwards by how much variety and momentum this brings to language learning.

Martha is learning Spanish with NELA. In less than four weeks she’ll finish her language course with us. Her language coach Jael will have accompanied her for six months. What’s next for Martha? What options does she have?

The answer to this question is simple: you learn a language your whole life, even your mother tongue. What our students often mean by this kind of question is how long you have to learn the language before you feel confident. The answer to this question is not so easy because many factors come into play. If students bring a keen interest, have a clear goal in mind, and commit time regularly, it only takes a few months for them to gain confidence and speak more and more. Soon they are able to handle everyday situations in a foreign country. That is always a great feeling.

You can’t stay with us forever. We advise our students not to study with us for more than a year. Not because we’re not good, but because we don’t want to overtherapize you.