You’ll be able to speak the target language from the very first lesson!

Our teaching method is based on the European Framework for Languages that ranges from Absolute Beginner to Proficiency-Mastery level. It is mainly focused on communication. This hands-on, interactive and personalised approach ensures that you will understand and speak from the very first day.

Our method places special emphasis on the development of language skills in the form of oral and written communication, while continuing to pay attention to the theoretical aspects of the language.

The main objective of most of our courses is to improve the student’s communicative skills. Due attention is also paid to grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing skills, and a wide variety of materials are used. All our courses are conducted entirely in the target language. We don’t just want our students to “know a language”; we want them to be able to use it!

Modern ‘communicative’ teaching techniques are used, with students learning the target language through using it, and not just ‘studying’ it passively. Learning a language is a practical skill, which anyone is capable of, and which is best acquired by intensive practise and maximum exposure to the language. At the same time, the importance of grammar is not neglected, with frequent grammatical explanations being given in order to reinforce and deepen the students’ knowledge of and ability to use the language.

 Finally, of course, language learning must be fun and non-threatening if it is to be effective. People learn much better when they are enjoying themselves and so our teachers do all they can to ensure that the lessons are both serious and intensive but at the same time very enjoyable!

The table below is based on recognised language levels used by various academic institutions across the European Union. A highly motivated student attending weekly sessions with their language trainer can expect to move from one level to another after 50 hours providing they also commit to a similar number of hours of self-study. Of course, some people find learning languages easier than others, and some students will have more opportunities to practise the language in the course of their work and leisure, so these factors also need to be considered when trying to assess how long it will take to move from one level to another.

 Level 1 – Absolute Beginner   Council of Europe Framework A1

Zero knowledge of the language

Level 2 Elementary Council of Europe Framework A2

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Level 3 Intermediate Council of Europe Framework         B1

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Level 4 Advanced Council of Europe Framework     B2

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Level 5 Proficiency Council of Europe Framework C1

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Level 6 Mastery Council of Europe Framework C2

Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Language Learning Pathway at Sol

The Language Learning Pathway has been written by Sol Academy, and is based on the Common European Framework specifications. The idea here is to provide you with a clear description of the language skills you will achieve by the end of each level.

— Beginner Language Course

— Beginner Plus Language Course

— Elementary Language Course

— Lower Intermediate Language Course

— Intermediate Language Course

— Upper Intermediate Language Course

— Advanced Language Course

Beginner A1

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases; introduce yourself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know and routines; understand basic instructions; cardinal numbers; colours;
• Grammar – present tenses in spoken and written form, to describe your personal interests; write basic sentences, including date and time and place; recognise different parts of speech and word order;
• Pronunciation – individual and blended key sounds and have an idea of regular speech patterns;
• Cultural awareness – the social norms and customs of the target language, understand how to study the language independently (e.g. online, self-study language centres, study groups, etc); understand your learning style.

Beginner Plus A2.1

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – conversational language about yourself, family and immediate surroundings, interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly; handle telephone calls;
• Grammar -different grammatical structures (past and present) in spoken and written form, describe simple narratives;
• Pronunciation – aspects of connected speech and develop appropriate intonation to express yourself clearly in short conversational interactions;
• Cultural awareness – the body language and gestures of the target language.

Elementary A2.2

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – in familiar and routine matters; understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to familiar areas, (e.g. basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment);
• Grammar -different grammatical structures (past, present and future); describe in simple terms aspects your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need; talk about ideas and plans;
• Pronunciation – appropriate intonation to express yourself accurately in social conversational interactions;
• Cultural awareness – common idiomatic expressions of the target language.

Lower Intermediate B1.1

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken; understand the main points on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc; conduct conversations on topics that you are unprepared for;
• Grammar – more complex grammatical structures to express aspect and modality; produce connected text on topics, which are familiar, or of personal interest; describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans;
• Pronunciation – the appropriate intonation in social and business conversational interactions;
• Cultural awareness – some idioms of the target language.

Intermediate B1.2

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party; understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in my field of specialisation; understand the main ideas expressed on television and radio;
• Grammar – more complex grammatical structures; produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options;
• Pronunciation – strategies to negotiate and clarify your meaning;
• Cultural awareness – some idioms and colloquialisms of the target language.

Upper Intermediate B2.1

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes; produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices; understand nearly everything you hear, see or read on television or the radio;
• Grammar – a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning; be familiar with complex tenses, aspects and modality;
• Pronunciation – expressions to communicate fluently and spontaneously without unnatural pauses and hesitation;
• Cultural awareness – most idiomatic expressions of the target language.

Advanced B2.2

By the end of this course you will be able to understand and use:

• Functional vocabulary – understand virtually everything heard or read; write texts in an appropriate style; understand literary and specialised texts;
• Grammar – information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing and summarising arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; understand study skills and strategies needed to improve your language level;
• Pronunciation – identify and understand different dialects and regional differences in the target language; identify linguistic differences between my level of the target language and a native speaker; express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations; minimal accent;
• Cultural awareness – the social, political and business etiquette of the target language.

Terms & Conditions

We have tried to make the information on the Sol Academy website as accurate as possible.  We accept, however, no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information on this site.

Sol Academy provides Internet links to other web sites and resources as a free information service. Because we have no control over such sites and resources, we cannot be responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and do not endorse any content, advertising, products, or other materials from such sites or resources. Sol Academy cannot be held responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such site.

Sol Academy makes no warranty that:

1. The website will meet your requirements
2. The website will be uninterrupted, up-to-date or error-free
3. The information that may be obtained from the use of the website will be accurate and/or reliable
4. The quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by customers through the website will meet your expectations.

2. Privacy Policy

Sol Academy will keep all records of customers, suppliers and staff carefully, and treat them as strictly confidential.  No information will be passed on to third parties without prior consent.

3. Quotations

All quotations in pounds sterling, unless otherwise stated, are valid for one month.

4. Refunds & Cancellations

* There is no reduction in the course fees where a course includes a public holiday. One-to-one lessons will be rearranged.

    * All course fees are non-refundable, unless the course is cancelled by Sol Academy.

    * Please note that 1-2-1 lessons can only be cancelled within 48 hours notice, given within Sol Academy working hours (Monday to Friday 09:00 am-18:00 pm), or the full fee will have to be paid.

    * Please note that packages of lessons are valid for 6 months from the date of the first lesson. After that time, if no satisfactory attendance has been fulfilled it will be deemed that the client is no longer interested in the course and therefore will have lost the remaining hours and the onus of the decision to be resting with the client.

5. Complaints

All complaints should be first addressed to the person at the point of contact e.g. the trainer, translator, interpreter, consultant, etc.  If the dispute or problem cannot be resolved between the parties concerned, then a letter of complaint or e-mail should be addressed to the Managing Director, Sol Academy giving full details.  All such complaints will be dealt with quickly, courteously and sympathetically.  If it becomes clear that the specification in a quotation has not been delivered e.g. an interpreter arrived late for a meeting, a consultant did not assess all the staff as agreed, and then an offer of compensation will be made appropriate to the degree of reduction in work carried out.

6. Quality Control & Assurance

Although occasional problems do occur, customers can rest assured that stringent quality procedures are in place:

    * qualifications of all staff are checked before employment commences

    * references of all staff are checked before employment commences

    * customers are frequently requested to complete a customer satisfaction questionnaire

7. Staff

Clients must agree not to make any separate arrangements with Sol Academy staff during contracts and for a period of one year afterwards; all negotiations with Sol Academy staff must be made through Sol Academy.  Sol Academy may give full contact details of their consultants and other staff to clients to facilitate communications during contracts, but this is on the understanding that they will only use this information for the purposes of Sol Academy business, and that they will not share this information with third parties.

8. Public Holidays

    * Our working days are from Monday to Friday, although it is possible to get hold of us during the weekend if necessary.

    * Our Staff have time off on Public Holidays as follows:

      New Year

      Good Friday

      Easter Monday

      Early May Bank Holiday

      Spring Bank Holiday

      Summer Bank Holiday

      Christmas Day

      Boxing Day

9. Payment

As all services are individually prepared, full payment must accompany each order.  No orders will be accepted without payment in full.  Large contracts, which are executed over a long period, may be broken down into stages and paid in instalments, normally monthly.

9.1. One to One Tuition

Tuition fees are only payable in advance. However, individual lessons may be paid for on the day of the lesson or in advance with the understanding that any cancellation of less than 48 hours notice, given within Sol Academy working hours (Monday to Friday 9:00 am-18:00 pm) will deem the full amount of the lesson be payable.

Please note that packages of lessons are valid for 6 months from the date of the first lesson. After that time, if no satisfactory attendance has been fulfilled it will be deemed that the client is no longer interested in the course and therefore will have lost the remaining hours and the onus of the decision to be resting with the client.

9.2. Group Tuition

Tuition fees are only payable in advance.

Please note that packages of lessons are valid for 6 months from the date of the first lesson. After that time, if no satisfactory attendance has been fulfilled it will be deemed that the client is no longer interested in the course and therefore will have lost the remaining hours and the onus of the decision to be resting with the client.

9.3. Payments to Sol Language may be made in two different ways:

1. By bank transfer to:

Bank:            Santander

Name:           Sol Language

Sort Code:   09-06-66

Account :     43507594

2. By sterling cheque

*Payments may be made in pounds sterling only.

10. Student Holidays & Absences

Students should notify their tutors if they are not able to attend class.

11. Attendance

    * We expect students to behave well and attend lessons.

    * We do not reimburse funds for students who start their courses late, finish early or miss lessons.

    * We may dismiss a student for improper behaviour without a refund.

12. Liability

    * If you make compensation claim against Sol Academy, our liability is no more than the money we have received from you.

    * We do not accept liability for any loss, damage or misadventure you may suffer as a result of using our services.

Sol Academy reserves the right to cancel, postpone or alter a course or seminar, if we do, we will offer an alternative course or seminar.

13. General

Nothing in these conditions shall affect the statutory rights of any costumer.

If you find these conditions unacceptable, we request that you leave the website and do not use the services of Sol Academy.  If you do choose to use the Sol Academy website, and enter into agreements with Sol Academy, the above terms and conditions are generally applicable, and English law will apply.