FAQ
Q: This is my first time speaking English, is that okay?
A: Of course, it's okay! I have a lot of experience with beginners. It’s okay to feel nervous, but don’t worry! We can learn at your pace. When you feel more comfortable and confident, we can increase the difficulty of the lessons.
Q: What is the difference from other online English conversation schools?
A: There are four main reasons why people choose I.Am's online English conversation:
① I have over 15 years of experience, and I will always provide high-quality & professional lessons.
② You will learn “usable English” with textbooks that have helped over 1,000 students worldwide.
I have many different textbooks for all English learners that can satisfy your specific goals.
③Free reservation system that can be reserved up to 20 minutes in advance and canceled up to 2 hours in advance. You can take lessons that suit your lifestyle, so you can continue without any difficulty.
④I will provide an environment where everyone from beginners to advanced students can study with peace of mind.
Q: Can children take lessons?
A: Yes, I have an English conversation course for elementary school students, and an English conversation course for junior high school students.
The texts for each course are divided into levels, and we will suggest texts after the trial lesson based on your child's English conversation ability and previous learning experience, not your child's grade. Students of all ages are encouraged to sign up!
Q: When do classes start and end?
A: Open from 18:20 JST to 00:05 JST on weekdays, and Saturdays 09:00 JST to 15:00 JST. Classes are closed on public holidays.
Q: When are classes are closed?
A: Classes will be closed for all Japanese national holidays, and approximately one week for spring break (April 29th - May 6th), summer vacation (August 11th - August 18th), and winter vacation (year-end and New Year holidays: December 25th, December 28th - January 3rd).
Q: How long does one lesson last?
A: One lesson is 20 minutes. It is possible to take two or more lessons in one day. (Note: Normally, one unit of a textbook will be used for one lesson.)
Q: Do I have to use text?
A: Not necessarily.
“I want to have a free conversation, but I also want my grammar and pronunciation corrected.”
“I made a document for work, and I want you to check whether the English I wrote is correct.”
Please let me know if there is anything you would like. It depends on the content, but I can accommodate your wishes as much as possible.
I can also help students with, “I want to improve my English skills, but I don't know how to do so,” or “I want to improve my speaking skills, but I don't know how.” I provide counseling after the trial lesson, and will propose textbooks that match the conversation skills of the students and the desired learning content.
If you need a textbook. each textbook (PDF) is an additional ¥500.
Q: Is it possible to take the course using a smartphone or tablet device?
A: It is possible. You can take the course on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
*ALL LESSONS USE SKYPE OR ZOOM
ZOOM - あらゆるデバイスからの対面ミーティング
DOWNLOAD HERE - https://zoom.us/ja/download
SKYPE - すばらしいビデオ通話を Skype で
DOWNLOAD HERE - https://www.skype.com/ja/
Q: What do I need to take the lesson?
A: All you need is a constantly connected internet environment and a computer, or an iOS smartphone or tablet. If you have a webcam, you can see each other's faces during lessons, but even without one, the teacher's face will still be visible on the screen.
*ALL LESSONS USE SKYPE OR ZOOM
ZOOM - あらゆるデバイスからの対面ミーティング
DOWNLOAD HERE - https://zoom.us/ja/download
SKYPE - すばらしいビデオ通話を Skype で
DOWNLOAD HERE - https://www.skype.com/ja/
Q: Can I take the course from overseas?
A: Generally, there are no problems, but there may be cases where the internet connection will be slow. I will give you the best support that I can.
Q: Please tell me more about the environment required for lessons.
A: Please check the table below.
Windows
(Recommended) Windows 10 Core i3 2.4Ghz
Memory 4G or more Download: 10Mbps or more
Upstream: 10Mbps or more
(If you use wireless LAN, WiFi, LTE, etc., there is a risk of disconnections or delays during the lesson.)
Microsoft Edge - Latest edition
Google Chrome - Latest edition
Firefox - Latest version
Windows 11
Macintosh
(Recommended) macOS 10.13 or higher Core i3 2.4Ghz
Android
Android7 or higher Qualcomm
Snapdragon
801 equivalent or higher
iPhone/iPad
iOS - Latest version
6th generation iPad / iPhone7 or higher - Safari latest version
*Performance may change due to future OS updates.
*Smooth performance is not guaranteed even if the above requirements are met.
*Please enable JavaScript and cookie functions in your browser.
Q: What happens if something goes wrong, or I lose internet connection during a lesson?
A: If the teacher’s internet connection is lost in the first 15 minutes, the student can reschedule their lesson free of charge. If the teacher’s internet connection is lost after 15 minutes, the remaining time of the lesson will be added to the next lesson.
If the student’s internet connection is lost in the first 5 minutes, the student can reschedule the lesson free of charge. If the student’s internet connection is lost after the 5 first minutes 3 times, on the 4th time of a lost internet connection, the student will not be able to get a free lesson due to lost internet connection.
Q: Until when can I take reservations for lessons?
Reservations are accepted until 20 minutes before the lesson starts. Please access the site from your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) to make a reservation.
Q: By when should I cancel my lesson?
Please cancel at least 2 hours before the lesson starts. Please note that if you are unable to cancel and are absent, the lesson will be used up.
Q: Are there any busy times?
It may be a little crowded on weekday nights and weekends, but if you change your time by about 30 minutes, you can usually make a reservation.