![Future English Academy - Online!](https://feaonline.co/wp-content/uploads/feaonlinelogopng.png.webp)
OPEN 800-18:00 PST Monday - Friday
To provide the best experience possible for taking lessons online you will need the following tools:
- A fast and reliable computer: This can be a desktop, laptop or tablet. We don’t recommend doing this with your smartphone. Skype recommends that your computer has at least a 1 Ghz processor and a minimum of 256 MB of Ram for Windows machines and for Mac, at least a 1 Ghz Intel processor (Core 2 duo) and a minimum of 1 GB of Ram. But remember, these are minimums. The faster your system is, the more reliable your connection will be.
- Broadband/high-speed internet: At least 400 kbps (standard Cable or DSL connection should work just fine - no dial up). If you want the best video chat experience, plug your computer directly into the wall. Test your connection here (Note: 1 Mbps = 1000Kbps)
- Video Chat Software: All Any Time Lessons and Private lessons that teachers teach their online students are done through our Skype video lesson rooms. It's free and easy to use. We will send you a link to our anytime lesson room or private lesson room that you just need to click on. You can join via the web version for FREE or if you prefer you can download Skype and join through your own personal account. Download Skype for free here.
- Webcam: Preferably HD- you will notice a big difference. If your computer or tablet was purchased within the last 5 years, your camera is more than good enough.
- Microphone: Most laptops or tablets have great mics built in, but if you are teaching something like singing you may want to invest in a USB external microphone.
We also suggest the following, although they are not required. These add-ons will help enhance the lesson experience for both you and your teacher.
- Headphones: Many students use their computer or tablet's built in speakers, but headphones can enhance the experience and allow you to clearly hear yourself with less interference.
Check your video & audio before a Future English Academy - Online! lesson:
Before you join a lesson, you can self-check to check your appearance and audio.
On your computer, go to your Any Time Lesson or Private Lesson room. Click on join/start call. Before you join the call, there will be a video and audio check that you can do.. Please allow audio and video access if necessary.
If you see your video in the preview tile, your camera works.
To check your audio and microphone that you will be using, click on audio and video settings. You can choose which microphone to use under to the right of microphone. If you see blue dots on the screen, your microphone is working. You can also choose to also automatically adjust your microphone settings or use noise cancellation if you are in a noisy area.
To check your audio, scroll down to where you see speakers. to the right you can choose which speakers you want the audio to play from or have it chosen by Skype automatically.
To test audio, click on the TEST audio button. You should hear the Skype tone when dialing someone if it is working correctly.
When ready to join the lesson, click JOIN/START CALL.
If you are a student who has not purchased Any Time Lesson minutes or Private lessons and you would like to check your microphone, video and audio to make sure that it meets the requirements before doing so or the lesson room in general to see how it works, please click here. This room is never used by any admin or teacher so please leave the room once you are finished testing. This room will be cleared by of all users at the end of each day.
We have English conversation, Reading and Writing, Business and Test Preparation Lessons available to be taken online. (Though there is always the possibility of adding more in the future!)
Learn more about our online lessons by clicking on the lesson's link that you are interested in taking below:
Many! Here are a few examples:
1. You can always have the same teacher that you like as they will be booked for ONLY your lesson.
2. No-one can take your time slot that you booked.
3. You receive 1% of the cost of the lessons that you pay for in points.
4. You can have makeup lessons for lessons that are missed during makeup days.
5. Your own page! Information about what you will be doing in the lesson will be posted prior to the lesson.
Originally the point system was started because we wanted to do something different that noone else has done in the English conversation school business.
There are alot of other online English schools and English schools in Japan, but we never heard of any that offered a point system, Most people love using points from online stores, credit card companies and others, so we thought to give it a shot.
We also thought it would help out others who who may not currently be able to afford private or group English lessons. With this system, you can register for free and get lessons without spending a dime or you can purchase lessons by the month and earn points that you could use later for lessons.
This helps not only the students but also helps us out because we gain exposure to our other channels on the web which in turn may help us get more students.
It's a win-win for everyone!
As many as you want as long as there is a teacher available to do it!
The point system is a type of credit system. It allows you to earn points that act as currency when purchasing lessons by doing different things such as subscribing to Future English Academy related channels, etc.
It depends on the type of lesson.
You can find the lesson fees listed under our English Conversation, Reading and Writing, Business Conversation, and Test Preparation pages.
All online lessons are currently held in our online video lesson rooms. Links to the teacher video lesson rooms will be available and shown once you book any time minute lessons or private lessons. One online lesson is a 30-minute session.
If you or your teacher has a technical problem, you should try to fix it and reconnect as soon as possible, If you are unable to connect, you should take a screen shot of the said error and send us a message.
If it is found that the error is our fault, such as your teacher, has technical problems, you will be allowed to do a makeup lesson with a teacher during makeup weeks/spring break.
Please make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements before trying to connect to a teacher:
Of course! If there is a teacher available that can be booked at your desired time, you can book a lesson.
All one-time sessions must be paid by credit. debit card, or Google Pay.
Yes!
When you purchase an online lesson from us, you will earn a certain amount of points depending on the amount of money you purchase. You can also earn points by doing various things online at FEA. If you don't buy monthly lessons, you can register and earn points! Then, if you have enough points, you can "exchange" them for a free English lesson. Think of a loyalty system like any other credit system. For example, there are Rakuten points, Amazon points, etc. in Japan. You can spend money, earn points and get free stuff from businesses. This is the same type of system ... earn enough points and take free lessons!
Some teachers have a certificate of education, but it is not required. All teachers will be checked for English proficiency during the interview before hiring and before training begins.
No. All sales are final. We do not offer refunds for any reason including emergencies, technical problems or general unhappiness with a class or teacher.
We do not give refunds for the following reasons:
1) If you have an emergency, are absent or have technical problem, you will be allowed to do a makeup lesson a s a private student. If you are on the Any Time lesson plan, you can have a lesson anytime after the said problem.
2) Teachers and classes are chosen by students and they can choose to change the teacher at anytime using our booking page or not continue to have lessons with us at any time.
For teacher FAQ's click here.
Any other questions? Feel free to contact us.