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PLANET ITALIA
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PLANET ITALIA
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

E-mail: Planet Italia

PLANET ITALIA - LANGUAGE TUITION

Professional, effective and friendly private and corporate language tuition.

Welcome.

Planet Italia is a leading Italian tuition company and arranges Italian lessons in Houston (USA) and Monterrey (Mexico) for corporate and private individuals on a one-to-one basis or in small groups.

Our Italian tutors teach at some of the world's largest companies as well as in hundreds of homes across Houston/Monterrey to students learning Italian for pleasure or looking to gain a qualification.

Our team of professional Italian tutors are all native and qualified and will get you speaking Italian quickly and in a friendly environment.

Our Italian Lessons.
We arrange Italian lessons in Houston and Monterrey to all types of students from small children to large corporates. Our qualified Italian tutors can teach you at your home, office or other suitable location wherever you are in Houston or Monterrey and possibly further afield.

Private Italian tuition can be arranged for students learning on their own or for groups of colleagues or friends. Students can do as many lessons as needed per week and tuition can take place from early morning to the evening.

Our tutors use a variety of materials depending on students' levels and also why they want to learn Italian.

Browse through some of the options for Italian lessons below to see which one would best suit you.

One-to-One Italian Lessons.
One-to-one tuition is the quickest and most flexible way to learn a language.

When you embark on a course of one-to-one Italian lessons your tutor can tailor the tuition to meet your needs, whether you are learning Italian for business, leisure or academic reasons.

One-to-one lessons offer the student the maximum amount of flexibility and choice. We'll discuss with you your aims and reasons for wanting to learn Italian. We can then arrange for a qualified tutor to teach you at your home or office at a time of your choosing.

Tutors are available throughout the day, during the evening and also at weekends.

The standard lesson length is 1.5 hours although longer lessons can be arranged. We understand that due to time constraints a shorter lesson may be required so students are also able to have 1 hour sessions.

Depending how quickly you want to learn the language, students can take as many lessons per week as required and we can also arrange for intensive tuition.

Two-to-One Italian Lessons.
Similar to one-to-one lessons, but you learn Italian with a friend or partner, with the bonus that it will work out cheaper than learning on your own!

It is a great way to learn as you'll be able to practise your Italian together and encourage each other to do your homework!

Whether you are learning Italian for business, leisure or academic reasons, your tutor can tailor your lessons to meet your needs.

We'll discuss with you your aims and reasons for wanting to learn Italian. We can then arrange for a qualified tutor to teach you at your home or office at a time of your choosing.

Tutors are available throughout the day, during the evening and also at weekends.

The standard two-to-one Italian lesson is 1.5 hours but lessons of 2 hours or longer can be arranged.

Depending how quickly you want to learn the language, students can take as many lessons per week as required and we can also arrange for intensive tuition.

Italian Lessons with Friends or Colleagues.
Taking lessons with friends or colleagues is a fun and cost effective way to learn Italian.

We can arrange for a qualified tutor to teach your group at your home or office from as little as USD15.00 each for a 1.5 hour lesson in a group of six students.

Group lessons are perfect for families, friends or work colleagues who are looking to learn Italian.

We'll discuss with you your aims and reasons for wanting to learn Italian. We can then arrange for a qualified tutor to teach your group at a time of your choosing.

Tutors are available throughout the day, during the evening and also at weekends.

The standard group Italian lesson is 1.5 hours but lessons of longer duration can be arranged.

So why not still take advantage of our cheap group rates by finding some friends or colleagues and starting your own group!

If your keen to learn Italian in a group but don't have enough people for a classs click here to see group classes in your area.

Where We Teach.
Private Italian tuition can be arranged anywhere in Houston or Monterrey and possibly further afield. We have a comprehensive network of qualified tutors ready to travel to your home, office or other suitable location during the day, evening or at the weekend.

Our flexible approach means that you can have Italian lessons at a time of your choosing and at a pace you want wherever you live. Our flexibility is the key to our success.

Our prices include travel and basic materials.

Intensive Italian Tuition.
Travelling to Italy in a few weeks for business or pleasure and need a crash course to get by?

Maybe your moving to Italy in a month or two and need to gain a level of proficiency in Italian. Or you might find yourself with some extra time on your hands and feel like putting it to use learning or advancing your language skills.

Whatever the reason we can arrange private tuition with a qualified native tutor at a time and frequency you want at your office or home. Intensive lessons could be classed as doing anything from one hour per day for a week, right up to studying several hours a day for a period of time.

Learning intensively immerses you in the language and students make rapid progress in a short space of time.

Prices depend on the intensity of tution. Get in touch for more details.

Italian Classes for Children.
Our tutors teach Italian to children of all ages throughout Houston or/and Monterrey.

Children learn new languages quickly and getting them started early is one of the best gifts you'll ever give them.

We can arrange for one of our qualified Italian tutors to teach your children at your home either individually or in a group with friends which makes the lesson even more fun and interactive.

Our qualified Italian tutors will use a range of materials including games and music to make the learning experience as enjoyable as possible.

Italian in schools -- why not speak to your child's school regarding setting up a Italian after-school club for children. We can arrange for one of our tutors to teach the group at a very reasonable cost.

Our Italian Tutors.
Our tutors are our greatest asset and we are proud to collaborate with a team of highly professional and efficient individuals. To be able to teach for Planet Italia, all candidates undergo a rigorous selection procedure.

All our teachers are native Italian speakers. Being a native speaker doesn't make you a language teacher so we make sure that all our Italian tutors have been instructed with the latest techniques in Italian language training.

They are all qualified language trainers, degree educated and have significant teaching experience. Many of our tutors have dedicated their professional life to teaching while others have found their vocation while living in a foreign country. Their academic backgrounds are varied and interesting and may include an MA in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language or degrees in Psychology, Drama, Law, Business Studies, Translation, Art or Journalism for example.

All have something in common: they love teaching their mother tongue and have been instructed to do so using modern teaching techniques in a friendly, efficient and fun way. Unlike many other organizations we keep in constant touch with our teaching force to ensure they are providing our clients with the best service. We hold monthly meetings for all our tutors to discuss and exchange new ideas and improve their teaching.

We also provide our teachers with materials to ensure they are using the latest textbooks and methodology available.

Most importantly, apart from the key part academic background plays in the selection process, we make sure by having a long and personal interview with each one of them, that we also choose the most likeable, personable and professional teachers in Houston and Monterrey. We are very happy to work with them and our students benefit from learning in a friendly and professional environment

Italian Business Language Training.
We can arrange bespoke Italian tuition designed to target the specific needs of your business. A tailored approach means your tutor will work closely with you and your company and implement a course to meet your requirements.

Before embarking on tuition your language background will be assessed and specific goals which need to be achieved will be detailed. We'll then draw up an action plan and advise on the intensity and duration of lessons.

Our trainers are the key to our success and ensure that pupils get the most from their learning experience. All are native and qualified and have significant experience teaching all levels of Italian. Tutors are not just selected for their teaching skills but also for their professionalism, flexibility and efficiency.

Tutors will be as flexible as possible to work around your schedule. Training can be arranged from early morning through to the evening and tutors will do our best to accommodate changing schedules from week-to-week.

Conducting business overseas is not just about speaking the language but also knowing what is expected and what to expect. Cultural awareness is as vital in the business world as knowing the languag and our tutors are well placed to guide you through the cultural maze.

Levels of Italian.
We arrange Italian tuition for hundreds of students of all levels throughout Houston and Monterrey. Private tuition is highly flexible so lessons can be tailored to exactly what the student requires whether they want to learn Italian for business or pleasure.

Before taking any course with Planet Italia we can gauge your level to ensure that you get the most from your Italian tuition.

Basic user: Students can communicate and understand basic everyday situations. E.g. giving and asking for personal information, ordering a meal etc. They can express themselves in the present, past and future.

Independent user: Students are able to express themselves accurately and fluently. They can understand and interact in complex conversations.

Proficient user: Students are able to communicate spontaneously using a variety of idioms and colloquial expressions in a natural way. They understand nearly everything they read or hear.

Our Philosophy.
Communication for the real world: From the very first day, our aim is for students to start expressing themselves in modern useful Italian. The focus is on providing students with the tools to enable them to communicate effectively in practical, everday situations, with tasks and activites carried out within a meaningful context. The four key skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing are all catered for, although emphasis for most students is placed on speaking and listening.

Learner centred: A learner centred approach means tutors adapt lessons to your way of learning making the whole experience more personal, rewarding and efficient. We rely on our team of qualified and experienced native tutors to support you throughout your period of tuition and help you to reach your full potential.

Practise makes perfect: Time with the tutor is used to the maximum benefit and focuses on practising oral and listening skills and introducing new structures. Written work is generally carried out at home and will help consolidate what's been covered in the session with the tutor.

Our most important asset -- our tutors: We pride ourselves in collaborating with capable and professional tutors. We all have the means to learn a language, we just have to find the best way to learn. Your tutor will get you speaking Italian from the very first day and tailor tuition to meet your needs.

Flexibility: Before allocating your tutor, we'll first assess your needs and what you want to achieve and discuss the best way to go about it. Throughout the course students are free to suggest new methods more appropriate for their needs or likes. Our tutors are all encouraged to be flexible, open-minded and see students as individuals.

The material used in the lessons will be, when possible, from real sources, such as newspapers, magazines or the Internet. This is especially vital in conversation classes.

When learning or improving a language it is important to be aware of a little history, culture and current affairs of the country where it is spoken. Students will be able to suggest any subject of discussion, books, films, etc. that might be of interest. All new ideas are welcome.

So if the Not-Just-One-Method method appeals then Planet Italia was made for you.

Our Prices.
All prices below are for private Italian tuition and include travel costs and basic materials. Your tutor will be able to recommend a textbook for you to purchase if necessary.

We can cater for larger groups and for any length of lesson so if you need something that you can't see below then please get in touch.

One-to-one tuition at your home or office:
USD50.00 per 1.5 hour lesson.
USD42.00 per 1 hour lesson (we recommend minimum 1.5 hours).
USD65.00 per 2 hour lesson.

Two-to-one tuition at your home or office:
USD60.00 per 1.5 hour lesson.
USD78.00 per 2 hour lesson.

Groups for 1.5 hours at your home or office:
Group of 3: USD66.00
Group of 4: USD76.00
Group of 5: USD85.00
Group of 6: USD90.00

Groups for 2 hours at your home or office:
Group of 3: USD87.00
Group of 4: USD96.00
Group of 5: USD105.00
Group of 6: USD110.00

How do I pay?
Please note that we only accept payment by way of a cheque made payable to Planet Italia. We find this the safest way to receive payments and to protect our clients' security.

How to contact us.
Planet Italia
6693 DeMoss, Houston, TX.77074, USA.
Tel: (713)988-5581 (Houston)
Tel: (818)330-2200 (Monterrey)
Email: planetitalia@sbcglobal.net
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am until 6:30pm
(Excluding national and public holidays).

Terms of Business

Fees.
Planet Italia acts as an agent for tutors by providing introductions with clients and vice-versa. Planet Italia collects fees from clients on behalf of tutors as well as its commission which is included in the quoted tuition rate.

Fees are agreed between Planet Italia and the client on behalf of the tutors prior to tuition starting. In most cases these fees will be in line with standard published rates which can be found on the Planet Italia website. Reasonable travel expenses are included in the published rates, but in the event that a tutor is required to travel significant distance then it may be necessary to add a travel cost to the published rate.

Payment for tuition.
Most students are required to purchase lessons in advance in blocks. Typically students purchase an initial block of 3 lessons and subsequent lessons are usually purchased in minimum blocks of 6. For students taking multiple lessons per week it might be easier to pay for larger blocks in advance.

Once tuition has started no refunds are made if the lessons are cancelled by the client before the end of the course. Lessons can be rescheduled for alternative dates at no charge as long as the client provides 24 hours notice.

The tuition course will continue even if the client comes to the end of their pre-paid lessons, unless one-week’s notice is given to both the tutor and Planet Italia. If required notice has not be given then it is assumed that you wish to continue your tuition at the usual agreed time slot and sessions will be charged at the full lesson rate.

Cancellations.
If you need to cancel a lesson due to illness, holiday or other reason, then please get in touch with your tutor directly. Note that lessons cancelled within 24 hours for whatever reason will be charged at the full lesson rate.

Stopping Tuition.
If you are going to stop tuition please give at least one week’s notice to your tutor and Planet Italia. If a tutor has to stop tuition mid-course then Planet Italia will endeavour to arrange for an alternative tutor to begin as soon as possible. If this is not possible for some reason, then a refund of the balance of any fees paid for the remaining unused tuition will be made.

Tuition.
The great benefit of private tuition is the ability of tutors to personalise the tuition for each client. Tutors have different teaching styles and methods and there are no set course materials for private tuition. Tutors will provide handouts for lessons and will be able to recommend textbooks to clients.

In the case of minors please ensure a responsible adult is on the premises at all times. Tutors are not responsible for chaperoning minors or looking after premises.

Tutor qualifications.
Tutors are all interviewed by Planet Italia and hold relevant language teaching qualifications. Many tutors have Qualified Teacher Status and are CRB checked although if the latter is required it should be stated when contacting Planet Italia.

Italian Tuition - Enquiry.
If you have decided that you would like to arrange private Italian tuition at either your office or home then please fill our enquiry form. We can then check availability and get you speaking Italian soon.

If you are not definite you want to go ahead and have some additional questions then please get in touch with us via our contact page.

PLANET ITALIA
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
E-mail: Parliamo Italiano!