Frequently Asked Questions

► WHY CHOOSE LLT&T?

With LLT&T you can customize your language course to best suit your needs at an affordable price. Luisa will go above and beyond to adapt the content to your specific requests. One unique feature of LLT&T is a direct line to your instructor: Luisa will provide homework, self-study tasks, and personally answer your questions in between lessons. This personal approach will enable you to immerse yourself into the target language even more. ​ Luisa Says: I want to build a personal connection with my students and keep in contact for life! ​ Don't forget to read our student reviews on Thumbtack and on Facebook . Thumbtack showcases Luisa LT&T as one of the top pro language teaching companies for 2020; over 50 students left a 5 star review on the website describing our services.



► WHAT KIND OF STUDENTS DO YOU WORK WITH?

Luisa has worked as a language instructor in Italy, Japan and the United States. LLT&T customers include American military members, military spouses, retired citizens, university students, high school students, professionals of various industries, and people with Italian heritage who want to reconnect with their family and culture. Thanks to the experience accumulated with such a diverse clientele, we value the importance of adapting courses to the single learner. Everyone is different, but anybody can learn with LLT&T!



► HOW IS THE COURSE SET UP?

LLT&T courses are extremely flexible and can be adapted the course to the learner's needs as much as possible, but there are some fixed components such as:

  • Lessons are managed through video chat platforms, such as Skype, Zoom, and Google Meets.
  • All learning materials are included in the price.
  • All textbooks can be printed at home.
  • Luisa regularly assigns homework and tasks.
  • Movies, songs, and other interactive materials are incorporated in the course.
  • LLT&T courses include of self-study guidance that will help you become an autonomous language learner.
  • Specific to Italian lessons: LLT&T courses are based on textbooks published and printed in Italy.
  • Specific to Japanese lessons: LLT&T Japanese contents are based on the official material requested for the JLPT ( Japanese Language Proficiency Test).



► HOW DO I BOOK A LESSON?

Please feel free to contact us

Lessons are available Monday through Saturday, from 7:45 am to 10:30 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time).



► WHY LEARN JAPANESE FROM A NON-NATIVE?

It is objectively difficult to analyze and describe your own culture to others, and this is particularly true for Japanese native speakers. Japanese culture and way of thinking are unique, and follow a strict code of societal norms difficult to represent from within. For this reason, you will benefit immensely from Luisa's international perspective on living in Japan as a foreigner. ​ Luisa Says: I have lived in Japan for years. I attended Yokohama National University, where I received a formal education in Japanese art, history, religion, philosophy, and literature. Then, I moved on to working for the renowned Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute in Tokyo. I want to use the knowledge and first-hand experience acquired during that period to teach you how to connect with native speakers, and help you develop invaluable intercultural communication skills.



► HOW DO I SET MY OWN TARGETS?

Establishing your priorities and expectations at the beginning of a language course is very important. It helps you feel motivated and it prevents you from hitting a plateau and getting a culture shock. When listing your priorities, you might want to ask yourself:

  • For how long do I want to study? Is this a lifetime commitment, a one-semester class, or a crash course?
  • What is the most important skill that I want to acquire? Do I want to be able to communicate with people in a professional setting, or do I want to relax and enjoy everyday conversations with the locals during my trip?
  • Do I want to become fluent in my target language, or do I want to grasp the basics?
  • Do I want to learn modern expressions and slang, or do I prefer to focus on the formal aspects of the language so I can enjoy literature and other more classical means of communication?
It is important for your teacher to know about your targets in order to choose the right materials and methods for you.



► HOW DO I STAY MOTIVATED?

Luisa Answers: This is a very personal topic, but I can give you some advice based on what has helped me in the past.

  1. Keep your targets where you can see them. In order to do so, you might consider creating a vision board (either a physical one or a digital version to set as your desktop background).
  2. Create a meaningful link between your target language and your preexisting passions. This works for most free time activities: music, cinema, video games, sports, gardening, cooking and so on. It could be a direct link, like watching content related to your passion in your target language, or a cultural connection, such as learning about the art and the cuisine of your target country.
  3. Surround yourself with your target language. You can set your devices or your GPS to the new language, listen to podcasts and free radio channels, and use apps and websites to find language partners. I, for one, like to keep my grocery list in my target language!
  4. Record yourself while you read and listen to your old messages frequently. It can be easily done by sending yourself a vocal message every once in a while. This will give you concrete proof of your improvements over time and it will allow you to notice the difference without the help of an instructor. If you have a strong echoic memory, this will also help you retain information.
  5. Do not underestimate the power of a good old colorful layout. Markers, crayons and drawings are not just for children - they actually help many people memorize concepts and vocabulary, especially those students who have a strong visual memory and muscle memory.



► HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE?

Before talking about the factors involved in the time needed to learn a language, we need to debunk a common myth. Many people have heard, at some point in their lives, that age is a critical factor and it is not possible to learn a language past a certain point in life. We can tell you that this is absolutely not true. Age is a factor that influences your learning style, this much is true. Most children learn easily through repetition and rythm, while most adults want to know all the "hows" and the "whys" involved in grammar rules and language systems. This is not an obstacle, but rather a difference in thought process that your instructor is well aware of. Luisa will implement teaching strategies that are suited for your needs and learning style. If you want to learn more about this, click HERE to read an interesting article! Some of the factors that actually contribute to the time required to learn a language are very personal. For example:

  • How often you take lessons with an instructor.
  • How much free time you can dedicate to your target language outside of the classroom.
  • How motivated you are.
  • How well the learning materials and the teaching methods suit your needs and learning style.
  • How many languages you know already and at what age you learned them.
  • How often you have been exposed to the target language already.
Other elements are rather objective and apply to everyone. For example, how close your target language is to your mother tongue. Many languages use a different writing system, and if you choose one of them, for example Japanese, you will spend a considerable amount of time learning how to read and write. Pronunciation can be a challenge too if the sounds are very different to the ones present in your mother tongue.



► WHY SHOULD I LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE?

There are many practical reasons for wanting to learn a new language. Being multilingual can lead to considerable advantages in your career, it helps you communicate effectively when you go abroad, and it keeps your brain active. What most people tend to overlook is the overall improvement in your personality. The European Council official website states that one of the ultimate targets in language education in the European continent is allowing students to develop empathy and multicultural skills. In other words, languages teach us how to coexist peacefully and widen our perspective; they help us understand others.​ Want to know more? Try this article written by Leonardo De Valoes, Adjunct Professor at Trinity Washington University. It contains a list of 25 of reasons why you should learn a new language compiled by Doctor Renate Latimer of Auburn University.



► WHY TAKE CLASSES ONLINE?

Among many other reasons, consider:

  • No need to commute. All you need to do is start the video call on your device.
  • Overall lower cost. All materials are accessible online and included in the price.
  • Flexible schedule. You can take lessons during lunch break or late in the evening.
  • Personalized curriculum. Luisa will edit the lesson plan to meet your specific needs.