Looking for a Novakid Alternative? How to Choose an Online English School for Your Child
Many parents compare several online English schools before enrolling. This guide gives you a seven-point checklist to judge any provider — class size, teacher continuity, curriculum, exam support, parent visibility, flexibility and risk — and shows exactly how Fleydo English School answers each one.
If you have typed "Novakid alternative" into a search engine, you are probably doing what every careful parent does: comparing a few online English schools before committing your child's time and your budget. This guide will not tell you anything about other providers. It gives you a clear checklist for judging any online English school for kids or teens, and then shows, point by point, how Fleydo English School answers it. Use it to compare us with whoever else is on your shortlist.
1. How many children are in a class?
Class size decides how often your child actually speaks. In a group of fifteen, a 45-minute lesson gives each child about three minutes of talking time. In a group of six, it is closer to eight, and the teacher can hear and correct every sentence. One-to-one lessons give the most speaking time of all, but many children aged 6 to 12 learn best with a few peers: they imitate, compete gently and lose their fear of making mistakes in front of others.
At Fleydo: group classes never exceed six students. Families who prefer a private teacher can choose one-to-one lessons, and many combine both.
2. Will my child keep the same teacher?
Young learners build trust slowly. A teacher who knows that your daughter loves horses and struggles with the "th" sound teaches a better lesson than one who is meeting her for the first time. Continuity also means someone is accountable for progress across the whole year, not just for a single booked slot.
At Fleydo: each group has one native English-speaking teacher for the entire 48-week year, and the classmates stay the same too. In one-to-one lessons you choose a teacher and stay with them.
3. Is there a real curriculum behind the lessons?
Ask any provider two questions: "Which level is my child in now?" and "What will they be able to do in six months?" A serious school answers both with reference to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) — the Pre-A1 to C2 scale that schools, universities and employers use worldwide. If the answer is vague, lessons may be enjoyable but unconnected.
At Fleydo: our methodology follows a CEFR-aligned 48-week plan from Pre-A1 to B2 and beyond, with level checkpoints along the way. Groups are formed by school grade and level after a free assessment lesson.
4. Does the school help with school exams?
For most families, "better English" also means "better English grades". General conversation practice helps, but a child facing a test on the past perfect next Tuesday needs targeted preparation on exactly that topic, in the exact format the test will use.
At Fleydo: every group plan includes Exam Boost: before each school English exam, your child receives one-to-one sessions with a personal exam analysis, targeted practice and a timed mock exam, followed by tracked homework. Read more about how it works in our article on Exam Boost.
5. What will I, as a parent, actually see?
You are paying for progress, so you should be able to observe it without interrogating your child after every lesson. Look for attendance records, homework status, written teacher feedback and periodic progress reports — ideally in one place you can check from your phone.
At Fleydo: the Zolinex parent dashboard shows attendance, homework, teacher feedback and progress reports after every lesson, and you can message the school directly. See how Fleydo works for a step-by-step walkthrough.
6. How flexible is the schedule — and how consistent?
Flexibility and consistency pull in opposite directions. Booking lessons whenever it suits you is convenient, but children progress fastest with a fixed weekly rhythm they can count on. The best setup offers both: a fixed group timetable for steady progress, plus flexible one-to-one slots when life gets busy or an exam approaches.
At Fleydo: group classes meet at a fixed time twice a week (2×45 minutes) for 48 weeks a year, with weekday and weekend options. One-to-one lessons are scheduled around your availability.
7. What happens if it is not the right fit?
No school is right for every child. Before you pay, check how you can test the experience and what the exit looks like: Is there a free trial with a real teacher? Is there a refund window? Can you switch formats?
At Fleydo: you start with a free trial lesson with a native teacher and an honest level recommendation. Group plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee, and you can combine or switch between group and one-to-one lessons at any time.
Who Fleydo is a good fit for
- Children aged 6–10 who need a playful, speaking-first start — see our page on online English for kids.
- Teenagers aged 11–17 who want fluency, better school grades and preparation for Cambridge exams or IELTS — see online English for teens.
- Parents who want a school, not a booking app: the same teacher, a real curriculum and visible progress.
How to decide in one afternoon
- Write down your child's age, current level (even a guess) and the one goal that matters most this year.
- Run the seven questions above past every provider on your shortlist. Note the answers side by side.
- Book free trial lessons where they are offered and watch your child, not the screen: Did they speak? Did they smile? Would they go back?
If Fleydo makes your shortlist, we would be glad to meet your child. Book a free trial lesson — no payment, no obligation, and a clear recommendation afterwards.
