# Questions families often ask. Source: https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/faq Answers for families living outside Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan — who can join, time zones, school subjects, the next school, university applications, fees and the contract. If your question is not here, ask in a first consultation. ### Getting started **Who are these pages for?** Families living outside Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan. Families in Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan have [their own pages](https://www.eltschool.org/#markets), with fees in the local currency. **Which countries do you accept families from?** We accept families from anywhere in the world. Families in Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan use [their own pages](https://www.eltschool.org/#markets). If you have a question about your situation, ask in a free first consultation. **Are lessons online only?** Yes. Every lesson is one to one and online, so it does not matter where your family lives. **What equipment does my child need?** A computer with a camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection and a quiet place to work. **Can parents sit in on lessons?** You are welcome to join when it helps, for example in the first lessons or before an important test. We do not ask parents to attend every lesson: some children find it easier to concentrate when it is just them and the tutor. **Are lessons recorded?** Only with a parent's consent. **What ages do you teach?** From the primary years to university applications, including students already at boarding school. The youngest age we accept is (to be confirmed). ### Time zones **How do you schedule lessons across time zones?** Our tutors teach from Japan (UTC+9) and the UK (UTC+0, or UTC+1 in summer). Your coordinator combines them to find times that fit your child's school day and confirms each lesson in your local time. See [how we work](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/approach). **What happens when the clocks change?** Your coordinator re-checks lesson times whenever daylight saving begins or ends in your country or the UK, and confirms any change with you in advance. **We are moving to another country. Can lessons continue?** Yes. Lessons are online, so your coordinator adjusts the schedule to the new time zone and keeps the same learning record. (to be confirmed) ### School subjects **Which subjects and curricula do you teach?** English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology for IB, IGCSE, A-Level and UK Key Stages 2–3, where we have tutors. See [Academic Tutoring](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/tutoring) and the [curricula guide](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/learning/ib-igcse-a-level). **Do you teach our country's national curriculum?** No. We teach international and UK curricula — IB, IGCSE, A-Level and UK Key Stages — rather than the national syllabus of a particular country. **Can we choose or change the tutor?** Yes. If the match is not working, your coordinator suggests another tutor and passes on the learning record. **How are tutors checked?** ELT checks each tutor's identity and qualifications before they teach; tutors in the UK also have a DBS check. Profiles show what was checked and when. See [tutors](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/teachers). ### The next school **Our school year does not follow the UK calendar. How does that fit UK entry in September?** Your coordinator matches your child's date of birth and current year to the UK year group, then works back from each school's registration and test deadlines. See the [application timeline](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/admissions/application-timeline). **Where would my child sit UKiset or the ISEB Pre-Test?** (to be confirmed) See the guides to [UKiset](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/admissions/ukiset) and the [ISEB Pre-Test](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/admissions/iseb-pre-test). **Do you guarantee a place?** No. Schools make their own admissions decisions. We prepare your child and support the application. **What does application support include?** Shortlisting boarding schools, the application timeline and documents, test and interview preparation, and the steps to joining. The scope and fees are on the [school applications](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/courses/school-applications) page. **Do you receive fees from schools?** ELT may receive a referral fee from partner schools. We tell you which schools are partners, and this does not affect the order in which we suggest schools. See [school applications](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/courses/school-applications). **Does my child need a guardian at a UK boarding school?** UK boarding schools may require students under 18 whose parents live abroad to have an educational guardian in the UK. ELT does not act as a guardian; we give you a list of providers to choose from. See the [UK guide](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/boarding-schools/uk). ### University **When should we start planning a UK university application?** Usually during the year before the final school year, so that subject choices, the personal statement and any tests fit the UCAS deadlines. See the [UCAS timeline](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/guides/university/ucas-timeline). **What does university application support include?** Choosing courses and subjects, the personal statement (written by your child, with our feedback), interviews and offers, for UK universities through UCAS. See [university admissions](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/courses/university-admissions). **Do you prepare for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT or admissions tests?** Only where we have a specialist tutor. (to be confirmed) **Do you help with universities outside the UK?** We begin with UK universities. (to be confirmed) **Do you guarantee a university offer?** No. Universities make their own admissions decisions. ### Fees and contract **What currency are fees in?** US dollars, for families in every country this section serves. See [fees](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/pricing). **How do I pay?** (to be confirmed) **Who is the contract with?** ELT School is operated by ELT Education Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) and ELT School of English Ltd. (London, United Kingdom). All lessons are contracted with ELT Education Inc. **Which law governs the terms?** The terms of service are governed by the laws of Japan. (to be confirmed) See the [terms of service](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/terms). **Are taxes added to the fees?** (to be confirmed) **How do I cancel or pause?** (to be confirmed) See the [terms of service](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/terms). **Will you contact me with promotions?** No, not without your consent. We use your contact details to reply to your request. ## Still have a question? Ask in a first consultation, or send a general enquiry. - [Book a consultation](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/trial) - [Contact](https://www.eltschool.org/intl/en/contact) --- ELT School — one-to-one online lessons with native English-speaking specialists. Founded in London in 1984. ELT School is operated by ELT Education Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) and ELT School of English Ltd. (London, United Kingdom). All lessons are contracted with ELT Education Inc.