Phonics · Reading · Speaking · Writing
Online English foundations for kids
Your child knows lots of English words by heart, then stops at a new word and can't work out how to read it? That's where foundations begin. One-to-one lessons teach them the letter sounds first, then vocabulary and reading, and build up to speaking and writing at the pace that suits them.
- A free trial lesson is available with each teacher, in every section and subject
- Lessons are one-to-one: one teacher per student
- Female teachers are available, with a dedicated section for women
- Lessons last 30, 40, 60, 90 or 120 minutes
Who this program is for
We teach every stage from kindergarten to secondary, but foundations start from your child's level in English, not from their grade.
A child starting English
In kindergarten or the early grades, they get to know the letters, their sounds and their first words at a gentle pace, and get used to hearing and saying English without fear of getting it wrong.
A student who struggles with reading
They read slowly and guess a word from its first letter, or finish a sentence without knowing what it means.
A student who understands but doesn't speak
They follow what they hear in class, but go quiet when asked to speak, or build English sentences in Arabic word order.
A student who has moved to learning in English
They've moved to a private or international school, or some of their subjects are now taught in English, and they need a foundation to catch up with their classmates.
What your child learns in lessons
We build skills in a clear order: sounds, then words, then reading, with listening, speaking and writing alongside them at the right level.
Letters and their sounds (phonics)
The student learns the names and sounds of the letters, then blends the sounds to read short words and learns to tell similar sounds apart.
Vocabulary
Words from the student's daily life and familiar topics: what they mean, how to say them and how to use them in a sentence.
Reading and comprehension
Reading aloud, from words and sentences to short texts, with questions that check understanding. We also cover common words that aren't pronounced the way they're spelled.
Listening and speaking
The student listens to clear sentences and responds, and practices expressing themselves in everyday situations, with sentences that grow longer as their level improves.
Writing and spelling
From writing letters and words to full sentences and then short paragraphs, along with spelling the words they've learned.
Grammar in context
The basics of building a sentence, such as word order and simple tenses, explained through examples the student reads and says, not lists to memorize.
How your child progresses
Every student moves at their own pace, and we go on to the next step once they've mastered the one before.
We find their level
In the trial lesson, we see what the student already knows of letters, words and reading, and decide where to start.
We build sounds and words
They master letter sounds and how to blend them, and build up core vocabulary they use in short sentences.
They read and speak
They read and understand short texts, and speak and write sentences about familiar topics.
We build further and review
We regularly review what they've learned and take their reading, speaking and writing further at their level, linking it to their English lessons at school when needed.
How lessons work
- 1
Full attention for your child
Lessons are one-to-one: one teacher per student, so your child never waits for a turn as they would in class: they read and speak themselves, and their pronunciation is corrected as they go.
- 2
A length that suits their age
Lessons last 30, 40, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. We choose the length with you, based on your child's age and attention span.
- 3
From home, at a time that suits you
Lessons run on whichever available online platform is easiest for the student. Lesson times are flexible for each student and set in their country's time zone, so you can pick whatever time fits their day.
- 4
Progress updates for parents
We keep parents updated on their child's progress, so you know what your child has mastered and what they'll work on in the next lessons.
Questions about English foundations
At what age can my child start English foundations?
Children can start English foundations from age 4. We decide where to start once we've seen your child's level in the trial lesson.
My child goes to school but can't read in English. Are foundations right for them?
Yes. We start from the skill they need, even if that's the letters and their sounds, then move on together to reading words, sentences and short texts. We teach every stage from kindergarten to secondary, so foundations can start in any grade.
Does my child learn to speak, or only to read and write?
The student practices listening and speaking from the start, with short words and sentences, and their speaking and writing grow as their level improves. One-to-one lessons also mean your child gets to speak in every lesson.
What language does the teacher explain things in?
We teach in the language the student needs, so explanations can be in Arabic at first, with more English in the lesson as the student progresses.
Do you prepare students for IELTS?
Yes. This program builds a solid foundation in reading, vocabulary and writing, both for school and for language tests such as IELTS. We prepare students for the tests themselves in our test prep program.
Are female teachers available for girls?
Female teachers are available, with a dedicated section for women. If you'd like a female teacher for your daughter, just mention it when you book.
Start with the right foundation in English
Tell us your country, your child's age and their English level. In the trial lesson the teacher hears them read and speak, and tells you where to start.