Free English Trial Lesson: What Happens and What to Watch For
A free English trial lesson helps you judge level, fit and next steps. See what happens in a short Fleydo trial lesson, what a single lesson can and cannot show, and use a before, during and after checklist and follow-up questions with any school.
An English trial lesson is a single live lesson in which a teacher meets your child, looks at their level and goals, and gives you a basis for deciding what to do next. At Fleydo it is a short, free, live one-to-one lesson, followed by a written recommendation.
This guide sets out what Fleydo's trial involves, what a single lesson can and cannot show, a before, during and after checklist you can use with any school, and the questions to ask afterwards.
Key takeaways
- A Fleydo trial lesson is a short live one-to-one lesson with a native English-speaking teacher, followed by a written recommendation, with no payment and no obligation.
- A single trial lesson is a short sample, so use it to judge fit and next steps, not long-term progress.
- If a school lets you stay nearby, notes you take during the trial lesson give you something specific to compare with what the school tells you afterwards.
- After any trial lesson, ask what the level judgement was based on and what would be worked on first.
What happens in a free English trial lesson at Fleydo?
In a Fleydo trial lesson, a native English-speaking teacher meets your child in a short live one-to-one lesson and checks their level, learning style and goals. These are the steps from booking to recommendation.
- You book. The form on the free trial lesson page takes less than 2 minutes. It asks about your child's age and school grade, your location, your goals and how to reach you, including a WhatsApp number. An optional notes field lets you mention your child's level, specific needs or any questions.
- Fleydo arranges the lesson. The team reviews your request within 24 hours and matches a teacher to your child's needs and schedule.
- Your child joins. Trial lessons take place live on Zoom, in a room you are given. At the scheduled time, you open that room, click to join and allow the camera and microphone. If you cannot get into the room, you can message Fleydo on WhatsApp for help.
- You receive a recommendation. A written recommendation follows the lesson. There is no payment and no obligation to continue.
Because the Fleydo trial is one-to-one, it will not show how your child works alongside classmates. If you are considering a group class, ask how the group would be formed. Fleydo's group classes have at most 6 students and are formed by school grade and CEFR level.
What can a single English trial lesson tell you?
A single English trial lesson can show how your child responds to a teacher on the day and give a first view of their level, but it cannot show long-term progress. This table separates what a single lesson can show from what you still need to ask about.
| What you want to know | What a single lesson can show | What it cannot show |
|---|---|---|
| Your child's level | A teacher's judgement from a short sample of English | An exam result, or a full picture of every skill |
| Fit with the teacher | How your child responds to this teacher on this day | How a working relationship with a regular teacher develops over months |
| How the teacher teaches | How the teacher explains, checks understanding and responds to mistakes | How a full course is planned from week to week |
| Willingness to speak | What your child was willing to try in this lesson | Whether a quiet start stays quiet in later lessons |
| Homework and reports | Very little, so ask | How homework is checked and how you hear about progress |
If you are told a CEFR level, it helps to know what the scale is: an international standard for describing language ability, with 6 points from A1 for beginners up to C2. Fleydo's curriculum for children and teenagers runs from Pre-A1 to B2. To see the typical range for your child's age, use the English level by age chart. Children who start later tend to sit lower, and that is normal.
How do you prepare a child for an English trial lesson?
Prepare your child by explaining what will happen, not by practising English. Tell them they will meet a teacher, that the teacher wants to find out what they already know, and that saying "I don't know" is fine. The details change with age:
- Young children: use 1 or 2 simple sentences, and ask the school whether you can stay close by to help with the device. For a child under 7, the guide to online lessons at ages 4–7 lists signs that a child is ready for a live lesson.
- Older primary children: ask what they would like to be able to do in English, and pass that on when you book.
- Teenagers: involve them in the booking and let them state their own goal to the teacher.
If you would like a rough idea of the level beforehand, Fleydo's free English level test takes about 12 minutes, needs no sign-up and gives an indicative CEFR level.
English trial lesson checklist: before, during and after
This checklist works for an English trial lesson with any school. The points under "During the lesson" apply if the school lets you stay nearby, so ask first.
Before the lesson
- Write down the main thing you want to find out, such as "Can my child follow a lesson held in English?"
- Tell the school your child's age, school grade, past English lessons and anything else the teacher should know.
- Ask how long the lesson lasts, who will be there and whether you can stay nearby.
- For an online lesson, test the device, camera, microphone and headphones the day before.
- Choose a quiet place and a time of day when your child is usually alert.
- Tell your child what will happen, in 1 or 2 sentences.
During the lesson
- Stay out of the camera's view if you can, and let your child answer, even when the answer is slow.
- Write down 2–3 things your child said or understood in English, as exactly as you can.
- Note what happened when your child did not understand: did the teacher rephrase, show, wait or move on?
- Note whether the activities suit your child's age and interests.
- Mark where your child seemed at ease and where they went quiet, without stepping in.
- Keep your own questions on paper for the end.
For a closer look at teaching technique, such as speaking time and error correction, use the checklist in our guide to choosing an online English teacher.
After the lesson
- Talk to your child the same day. Ask what they remember, what was easy and what was hard.
- Read your notes beside the school's feedback. Does the feedback mention anything you also saw?
- If the feedback leaves out a level, the reason for that level or a next step, ask for them.
- Find out whether any decision has a deadline, then take the time you need.
- Keep your notes as a starting point, and compare later using the signs in how to tell if your child's English is improving.
What questions should you ask after an English trial lesson?
Ask questions that can only be answered with something specific about your child, so that you have something to act on. These work with any school:
- What level did you see, and what did you base that on?
- What did my child do well? Can you give an example?
- What would you work on first, and why?
- Which lesson format and how many lessons a week would you suggest for our goal, and why?
- Would the teacher from the trial lesson be my child's regular teacher?
- What are the terms if we start and later need to stop or change?
- Can I have your recommendation in writing?
On terms, Fleydo's group-class plans have a 14-day full refund, and one-to-one lessons can be rescheduled with advance notice. For everything else, including withdrawal and early termination, read the terms of service.
Common mistakes
- Answering for your child. If you are nearby, stay quiet and give your child time to answer the teacher.
- Rehearsing English answers the day before. Explain what will happen instead, so the teacher hears what your child can do unaided.
- Treating a single lesson as proof of progress. Treat it as a starting point and compare again after some weeks of lessons.
- Asking only "Did you like it?" Ask what your child remembers, what was easy and what was hard.
- Reading a quiet lesson as a failure. Note it, then ask the teacher what they noticed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fleydo English trial lesson free?
Yes. The Fleydo English trial lesson is free, with no payment and no obligation. After the trial lesson, parents receive a written recommendation and can then decide what to do. Families who want regular lessons choose a plan, and lessons begin after that.
What does the teacher check in a Fleydo English trial lesson?
In a Fleydo English trial lesson, a native English-speaking teacher checks your child's level, learning style and goals, live and one-to-one. A short trial lesson gives a first view of your child's English, not a full assessment of every skill. A written recommendation follows the Fleydo trial lesson.
What does my child need for a Fleydo trial lesson?
A Fleydo trial lesson takes place live on Zoom, so your child needs a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone, headphones and stable internet. Zoom's help page explains that, without the Zoom app, a join link can prompt you to download it, so try Zoom's test meeting beforehand. Regular Fleydo lessons run in the browser, with nothing to install.
Should a parent stay in the room during an English trial lesson?
Whether a parent stays in the room during an English trial lesson depends on your child's age and on what the school allows, so ask before the lesson. A young child may need you close by to help with the device. If you stay, keep out of the camera's view where you can, leave the answers to your child and take notes.
Can a complete beginner take an English trial lesson at Fleydo?
Yes. At Fleydo, complete beginners of any age and children younger than 6 are usually advised to start with one-to-one lessons so the teacher can set the pace, and one-to-one lessons start with a free trial lesson. If your child has no English yet, say so in the notes field on the booking form.
Sources
- Cambridge English: International language standards
- Zoom Support: Joining a Zoom meeting
- Zoom: Join a test meeting
How to book a free English trial lesson at Fleydo
To book, fill in the form on the free trial lesson page and use the notes field for anything you want Fleydo to know. To read about the programmes first, see English for kids or English for teens.
