The first hour, done properly

The first hour of a language decides whether you come back for a second. Apps are good for vocabulary, but most people never say a word out loud to another person until they are standing at a counter abroad, and then the words do not come.

Phrase Club is that first hour, done properly: a live class on Zoom, a small group, and the handful of phrases you will actually use, said out loud many times. Greetings, introducing yourself, numbers, ordering at a café, and what to say when you do not understand.

One hour will not make you fluent, and we will not pretend it does. It will get you speaking. If you have a question or a complaint, write to me. The address is below.

Tom, Founder

How a class works

Every class is a live Zoom meeting of an hour, for at most 12 people who are all starting from zero. It is taught in English. The teacher says each phrase slowly, the class repeats it together, and then you use it: answering in the chat, saying your name, and in the last part of the hour, practising in breakout rooms of 2 or 3.

The hour always covers the same things, because they are what you need first: greetings, introducing yourself, numbers to ten, ordering at a café, and what to say when you do not understand. For Japanese and Korean there is also a first look at the writing. Each class page shows its hour minute by minute.

Afterwards your phrase sheet stays in your account: every phrase from the class, how to say it, and what to practise that week.

What we won't do

• Promise fluency. One hour is a start.
• Record the class. Nobody will see you getting it wrong.
• Sign you up to a subscription. Each class is one payment.
• Invent reviews or student numbers.

Questions? Get in touch.