Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
How do I join your group?
All of our events are free and open to everyone. You can just drop-in to any program, at any time! No registration is necessary.
The best way to stay up-to-date with our programs is to click the “Join Us” button on the home page and enter your name and email to sign up on our Meetup.com site. It’s free and your information will be kept private and not sold to any lists. By signing up on Meetup, you will receive ELLA reminders and emails when new events are organized.
Where are you located?
We do not have our own building or office. Each event that we host is held at a location listed on our website. Please check our ELLA Schedule page, then click on the event you’d like to attend for more information and a map.
How can I find you when I arrive?
We have ELLA signs on the tables. The Tuesday Conversation group at Crossroads Mall will be sitting indoors at the food court, at tables near Boba Express.
The Wednesday Evening Conversation group at Bellevue Square is NOT inside the shopping mall, but is located inside the Lodge, which is next to the Crate & Barrel store & PF Chang restaurant. You can find us near the large fireplace located in the Lodge at Bellevue Square, in between the Starbucks & PF Chang’s restaurant (please see a map and photos of the location on our webpage)
Is there parking available?
There is free parking available at all of our meeting locations. Buses also have convenient stops near all of our locations.
I’m nervous about attending for the first time. What if my English is not good enough?
Don’t be afraid to give it a try! There are always new people coming each week, so you will not be the only newcomer. Everyone is learning English and all are there to help one another. Everyone is very friendly and helpful, so please don’t be nervous. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you!
My mother is visiting and she’s an absolute beginner. Can she still attend?
Since we are a conversation group, most people are at a high-beginner level or above. Of course, beginners are welcome to attend, but they might have difficulty understanding and communicating. There are other classes in the area which are more specifically geared for absolute beginners. (You can find information about these classes on our Helpful Links webpage)
I’m on a tourist visa. Can I still attend?
Yes! We have no visa requirements. Everyone is welcome.
Can I bring my child with me?
You may bring your child along with you to our Conversation Practice groups and to the Parent/Child Playgroup on Thursday mornings and the Song & Story Hour on alternating Tuesday mornings.
The Wednesday morning “English for Everyday Life” class is for adults and it is quite large, so we ask that children do not attend.
What age does my child need to be for the Song & Story Hour or Parent/Child Playgroup?
All ages, even babies, are welcome at our Song & Story Hour and Parent/Child Playgroup.
Do your classes run all year?
Our Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening Conversation Practice groups run all year, even in summer, with a brief break at the winter holiday season. Our Wednesday morning class and our Parent/Child activities will have a summer break from June thru September.
How big are the classes?
Our Conversation Practice groups usually have 20-30 people. Our Wednesday morning English for Everyday Life Class is generally quite large. It is typically 40-50 people. Despite the large size, we are able to give lots of hands-on activities to make learning fun and interesting.
If it’s a large group, will I have a chance to speak during the Conversation Practice group?
Do you take turns speaking?
Don’t worry! You will have plenty of opportunities to speak, as we do not go around a circle taking turns. Everyone is chatting together in small groups and you will be speaking with one another as much or as little as you like. We do not have a specific topic each week; it’s real-life conversations. It’s just like meeting up with friends at a coffee shop… you don’t have discussion questions, you just chat and make small talk and find common ground. It’s a great way to make new friends while practicing English!
What level is the “English for Everyday Life” class?
The English for Everyday Life class is geared for Intermediate level and above, but anyone is welcome to come and give it a try.
Is there a placement exam for the class?
There is no placement exam for the class. Everyone is welcome.
How do I register for the class?
There is no registration required, but please visit Meetup.com, join our page, and RSVP for the Wednesday class there. We usually meet every Wednesday morning, but some dates there will not be class, so please be sure to check the schedule.
Do I have to sign up on the Meetup site?
No, you do not have to sign up on Meetup, if you do not wish to. However, it is helpful for us to know how many new people are coming each week. Also, we send useful information about activities in the area and newcomer tips via Meetup. It is a good way for us to stay in touch with you and keep you informed, so we prefer that you join our Meetup group.
I get too many reminders from Meetup. How can I limit the amount of reminders I receive?
The Meetup.com site automatically sends reminders, but you can click on My Profile in the upper right corner of our ELLA Meetup.com page, then select Emails & Notifications and where it says Meetup Reminders, you can select Never.
We hope we have answered all of you questions, but if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us and let us know what other FAQ's we should include on this page!
All of our events are free and open to everyone. You can just drop-in to any program, at any time! No registration is necessary.
The best way to stay up-to-date with our programs is to click the “Join Us” button on the home page and enter your name and email to sign up on our Meetup.com site. It’s free and your information will be kept private and not sold to any lists. By signing up on Meetup, you will receive ELLA reminders and emails when new events are organized.
Where are you located?
We do not have our own building or office. Each event that we host is held at a location listed on our website. Please check our ELLA Schedule page, then click on the event you’d like to attend for more information and a map.
How can I find you when I arrive?
We have ELLA signs on the tables. The Tuesday Conversation group at Crossroads Mall will be sitting indoors at the food court, at tables near Boba Express.
The Wednesday Evening Conversation group at Bellevue Square is NOT inside the shopping mall, but is located inside the Lodge, which is next to the Crate & Barrel store & PF Chang restaurant. You can find us near the large fireplace located in the Lodge at Bellevue Square, in between the Starbucks & PF Chang’s restaurant (please see a map and photos of the location on our webpage)
Is there parking available?
There is free parking available at all of our meeting locations. Buses also have convenient stops near all of our locations.
I’m nervous about attending for the first time. What if my English is not good enough?
Don’t be afraid to give it a try! There are always new people coming each week, so you will not be the only newcomer. Everyone is learning English and all are there to help one another. Everyone is very friendly and helpful, so please don’t be nervous. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you!
My mother is visiting and she’s an absolute beginner. Can she still attend?
Since we are a conversation group, most people are at a high-beginner level or above. Of course, beginners are welcome to attend, but they might have difficulty understanding and communicating. There are other classes in the area which are more specifically geared for absolute beginners. (You can find information about these classes on our Helpful Links webpage)
I’m on a tourist visa. Can I still attend?
Yes! We have no visa requirements. Everyone is welcome.
Can I bring my child with me?
You may bring your child along with you to our Conversation Practice groups and to the Parent/Child Playgroup on Thursday mornings and the Song & Story Hour on alternating Tuesday mornings.
The Wednesday morning “English for Everyday Life” class is for adults and it is quite large, so we ask that children do not attend.
What age does my child need to be for the Song & Story Hour or Parent/Child Playgroup?
All ages, even babies, are welcome at our Song & Story Hour and Parent/Child Playgroup.
Do your classes run all year?
Our Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening Conversation Practice groups run all year, even in summer, with a brief break at the winter holiday season. Our Wednesday morning class and our Parent/Child activities will have a summer break from June thru September.
How big are the classes?
Our Conversation Practice groups usually have 20-30 people. Our Wednesday morning English for Everyday Life Class is generally quite large. It is typically 40-50 people. Despite the large size, we are able to give lots of hands-on activities to make learning fun and interesting.
If it’s a large group, will I have a chance to speak during the Conversation Practice group?
Do you take turns speaking?
Don’t worry! You will have plenty of opportunities to speak, as we do not go around a circle taking turns. Everyone is chatting together in small groups and you will be speaking with one another as much or as little as you like. We do not have a specific topic each week; it’s real-life conversations. It’s just like meeting up with friends at a coffee shop… you don’t have discussion questions, you just chat and make small talk and find common ground. It’s a great way to make new friends while practicing English!
What level is the “English for Everyday Life” class?
The English for Everyday Life class is geared for Intermediate level and above, but anyone is welcome to come and give it a try.
Is there a placement exam for the class?
There is no placement exam for the class. Everyone is welcome.
How do I register for the class?
There is no registration required, but please visit Meetup.com, join our page, and RSVP for the Wednesday class there. We usually meet every Wednesday morning, but some dates there will not be class, so please be sure to check the schedule.
Do I have to sign up on the Meetup site?
No, you do not have to sign up on Meetup, if you do not wish to. However, it is helpful for us to know how many new people are coming each week. Also, we send useful information about activities in the area and newcomer tips via Meetup. It is a good way for us to stay in touch with you and keep you informed, so we prefer that you join our Meetup group.
I get too many reminders from Meetup. How can I limit the amount of reminders I receive?
The Meetup.com site automatically sends reminders, but you can click on My Profile in the upper right corner of our ELLA Meetup.com page, then select Emails & Notifications and where it says Meetup Reminders, you can select Never.
We hope we have answered all of you questions, but if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us and let us know what other FAQ's we should include on this page!
