Some Frequently Asked Questions

Student FAQ

What is Squarko?

Squarko is language website with a difference! We provide one-on-one and group language tuition lessons via the internet. Through a web-cam, headset/speakers and a microphone you and your tutor can be anywhere in the world and still talk as if you were in the same room.

Why should I learn a language online with Squarko?

Learning online means you won’t waste a second travelling to your tutor. You can learn at home, in the office or from abroad. Anywhere with an internet connection. Lessons can be scheduled to fit around your commitments; having tutors in all time-zones means there will almost certainly be someone available to teach you at any time of day or night.

What do I need to do to start learning?

Just find a tutor or a course, sign up and book in for a free trial. Once you’ve found a tutor you like simply book in for lessons online and pay-as-you-learn. No monthly fees, no joining costs. Simple. Register now or search tutors.

How do I register?

It only takes two minutes to sign up and then you can book your first lesson straight away. Click Register now, fill out a few details, choose your language and away you go.

How do I find a tutor?

It’s easy to search for tutors. Just search by language and then look at full profiles and video introductions so that you can choose the best tutor for you. If you are interested in learning with a tutor, see if they offer a free trial to get a real feel for their teaching style. Alternatively, send them a message with your learning goals to see if they can help. Watch a demo video. Watch video

What happens in a free trial?

This is a chance for you to get to know your tutor and discuss what you want to learn. You’ll get a feel for how they teach and can then go on to book full lessons with them easily online, although you are not obliged to do so. The free trial is just that, free! Register to book a free trial or browse tutors.

How do I book a free trial?

Log in to your Squarko account, find a tutor you are interested in learning with and click ‘Free Trial’. When it is time for your lesson, log in to Squarko, go to your ‘Lessons’ page and click on the ‘enter classroom’ link. You will be taken to the online classroom where your tutor will be waiting. Watch a demo video. Watch video

What is the online classroom?

An online classroom connects you and your tutor. Using webcams and headsets you can learn wherever you are based. You can share documents, pictures and videos as if you were in the same room. The online classroom gives you the best of both worlds, an experienced tutor and all the resources the internet allows to make language learning fun and effective. Have a look at our demo class video. Watch video

How do I use the online classroom?

To use the classroom you will need a microphone headset, the latest version of flash and a webcam. Your internet connection also needs to be reliable, check your internet speed. Just before your lesson or free trial, log into your Squarko account, go to your ‘Lessons’ page and click ‘enter classroom’.

What are classes like?

Classes are entirely tailored to you. You choose your tutor and they'll work with you to draw up a plan of exactly what you want and need to cover. Alternatively you can buy courses for specific subjects e.g. "Conversational Arabic" or "Basic Business Chinese". Tutors are free to teach in the style that suits them and the student best, but all our tutors are enthusiastic and lively!

All classes are different but why not watch a quick demo class video. Watch video

What do lessons cost?

The prices of lessons vary and are set by the tutor. You can search all our tutors by price so that you can find one that matches your budget. Start browsing tutors.

How exactly do I pay?

When you book your lesson, you will be taken to a secure online payment form. You will be asked for your billing address and then pay via Paypal, exactly as you would on Ebay. You can pay with most major credit or debit cards, or with existing Paypal funds. Payment is quick, easy and secure.

The language I want to learn isn’t listed. Can I still learn with Squarko?

Yes! Let us know which language you’d like to learn via the contact page and we’ll do our best to find you a tutor.

What's the difference between group and individual classes?

Individual classes are one-to-one sessions between you and your tutor. Group classes occur with a small number of other students.

Tutor FAQ

What is Squarko?

Squarko is a language site with a difference! We provide one-on-one and group language tuition lessons via the internet. Through a web-cam, headset/speakers and a microphone tutor and student can be anywhere in the world and still talk as if they were in the same room.

Why should I teach a language online with Squarko?

Teaching online means you won’t waste a second travelling to your student. You can teach from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Lessons can be scheduled to fit around your other commitments; having students in all time-zones means there will almost certainly be someone wanting to learn the language you teach at any time of day or night.

Do I need any special software to teach with Squarko?

No. All you need to be a Squarko tutor is a computer, web-cam, headset/speakers and a microphone and an internet connection.

What do I need to do to start teaching?

You can start teaching once you have registered and been approved. Registration is quick and easy. Complete a full profile, video, set availability and state your lesson fees (see questions below) and click on send for approval. The Squarko team will then view your profile and get in touch about getting your profile live.

How do I get paid?

In order to teach on Squarko your need to have a Paypal or Moneybookers account, Squarko collects payments from students and once a month remits the funds net of 19% commission to your Paypal/Moneybookers account. Just put the email address associated with your Paypal or Moneybookers account into your profile under the payment section.

Can I change my video/profile/lesson fee/availability at another point in time?

Yes you will be able to change details including your videos, lessons fee and profile picture at any time.
Watch a video demo. Watch video

What is the online classroom?

An online classroom connects you and your student. Using webcams and headsets you can teach wherever you are based. You can share documents, pictures and videos as if you were in the same room. Have a look at our video of a class in action. Watch video

How do I use the online classroom?

Basic use

Other classroom functions

Can I practise using the online classroom?

Yes. If you would like to practise using the online classroom, please ask a friend to register and sign up for a free trial with you. That way, you can concentrate on really getting to grips with the classroom before your first real class. If you are still struggling after the free trial, please email us and we can organise a time to show you around the classroom.

How much should I charge for lessons?

Again, that is up to you. There are no rules and you can charge what consider is a fair amount. Experienced tutors typically will charge more and new tutors tend to keep their prices low until they are teaching enough hours.

Should I offer a free trial?

We suggest you offer a free trial to potential students. This is an opportunity for you to get to know your students and their learning goals. The more they feel they get to know you, the more likely it is that they will book more lessons or even a full course with you.

Do I use my own resources for teaching?

Yes. You can use whatever your want to prepare and teach your online class. If you are using third party videos please make sure you have permission. However feel free to upload things such as YouTube videos to the class as that is already granted.

How often do I have to teach with Squarko?

Squarko tutors are free to teach as little or as often as they like. All we ask is that all classes you do teach are lively and enthusiastic!

The language I want to teach isn’t listed. Can I still teach with Squarko?

Yes! Let us know which language you’d like to teach via the contact page and we’ll set you up as a tutor of that language.

Why can't I see my profile in the list of Squarko tutors?

Firstly, thanks for registering with Squarko! Your profile will not appear among the Squarko tutors until it is complete. Remember to upload a short video introducing yourself to your students, fill in your professional experience and write a bit about yourself.