FAQ > How to Get Started

How to Get Started

This is where you will learn about how to use on your GSA account, including how to enter classes, how your child's level is determined, and more.

Getting Started with GSA

• Is there a free trial?
• How is my child's level determined?
• What is a screening class?
• What do I need to get started for GSA classes?
• I want more than one child to sign up. Is that possible?
• Can multiple people join in one class?
• Where can I find the GSA course list?
• Can I still take classes if I live in a rural area or overseas?
• Are there services I can try other than classes?
• Can I take classes on my smartphone or tablet?
• How do I enter into my class?
• Can I take classes without a textbook?
• I am late for my class. Can I still take my class or will it be cancelled?
• Can I reschedule my class?
• Is there a penalty for missing a class without a notice?
• Can I check my child's progress?

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Q. Is there a free trial?

A. You can sign up for a free trial and experience up to 2 weeks of classes.

Click here to signup for 2 weeks free trial

*Please also note that the free trial will be terminated after 2 weeks. You will receive an email notification 5 days prior to the trial end date. If you wish to not continue with GSA after the trial period ends, please contact the Student Relations 3 days before your first charge date. Please note that the free trial is available to those who have not previously signed up for this free trial and you're only eligible for one free trial per student.

Charge date:

After two weeks from when you begin your first class, you will automatically become a paying member and your credit card will be charged monthly. You will be billed on the same day every month thereafter. For example: First class date: March 2 → First billing date: March 15, thereafter you will be billed on the 15th of every month.

Q. How is my child's level determined?

A. Your child's level is determined by an accumulation of information gathered: the details of your child's past English experience and knowledge helps to determine some of the foundational skills and helps us determine the screening level in which your child can take their screening test. Then when your child takes the screening test, we are able to establish where in our curriculum and courses that your child can begin to take classes.

Q. What is a screening class?

A. Screening classes are classes that help determine your child's level and where to start in our curriculum. During a screening class, your child is asked a series of questions that cover the foundational core skills to determine where your child is at in their English level.

Q. What do I need to get started for GSA classes?

A. To become a student at Global Step Academy, all students are required to have:

• Internet Connection
• PC or tablet
• Zoom (free application)

For more details about System Requirements and Troubleshooting, please check the details on our System Requirements page.

If you have not registered as GSA student yet, please go to the Registration page where you can start creating your account.

If you have already registered as a GSA student, make sure you have completed the following:

• Confirm your child's English experience
  • In order to properly begin determining where your child should start, please provide information on your child's English experience
• Confirm your child's English knowledge
  • After you confirm your child's English experience, we ask for your child to answer a series of basic questions to determine their foundational understanding of the core skills
• Create your schedule
  • After you submit your child's English experience and knowledge, you will be asked to fill out the dates and times in which you wish to take classes
• Confirm your Learning Plan
  • After you have set up your schedule, you will need to finalize your payment plan and your Learning Plan will be completed

Q. I want more than one child to sign up. Is that possible?

A. It is required that each GSA student has their own GSA account. You will be required to use another email address for a second or third child to take GSA classes.

Q. Can multiple people join in one class?

A. Students are required to take private classes on their own to maintain their own properly assessed level as each student has their own Learning Plan and requirements in terms of level and learning progression. Group classes will have multiple students depending on the maximum seats set for each group class.

Q. Where can I find the list of private courses?

A. Please check the Course page for more details about each Course. You will find specific prerequisites for each Course, including level and age.

Q. Can I still take classes if I live in a rural area or overseas?

A. GSA welcomes students from all around the world. As long as you have proper internet connection, you are able to become a GSA student.

Please note that we do not offer Engineering courses to students residing in countries where shipping of STEM kits is restricted. Furthermore, ELA Standard and Math Standard course textbooks may need to be prepared locally in countries where shipping is restricted.

Q. Can I take classes on my smartphone or tablet?

A. You are free to take classes on any device as long as it meets the necessary system requirements. For more details, go to the System Requirements page to confirm your device is usable for your classes.

Q. Are there services I can try other than classes?

A. Your child can tune into our free daily live programs that can be accessed from your student home page. There are no prerequisites and booking of the live programs are not required, although you can reserve a live program if you would like to be reminded of a specific live program via a notification.

Our Missions and Challenges are free educational content with printable worksheets available at any time. Your child will be able to work on improving their phonics, vocabulary, and writing, as well as obtain English exposure by keeping track of how many live programs they've watched each month.

Oxford Reading Club is available to Global Step Academy students for a monthly fee of 2,035 yen (tax included). Oxford Reading Club is a digital library service where your child will have access to over 9000 phonics-focused books to help your child strengthen their reading skills.

Sign up to Oxford Reading Club here

Q. How do I enter into my class?

A. To enter into your classes, there are 2 ways you can enter your classes.

Follow these steps:

1. Click A. Home
2. On the B.Schedule page, go to the class you must enter into.
3. Click C. Go to Class.

You can also enter into your classes by using the lefthand side bar:

1. Your upcoming class will always show at the top of the current date's section on the lefthand sidebar.
2. Click D. Go to Class

Q. Can I take classes without a textbook?

A. You can take classes without a textbook, however, students will need the textbook to complete the homework (please note that homework is optional, but highly recommended to do alongside classes).

Textbooks are needed only for ELA Standard and Math Standard. Textbooks for ELA Advanced can be accessed from your student account.

*Textbooks will be shipped after you have started your paid membership. If you have any questions regarding textbook shipment, please contact us for more information.

Q. I am late for my class. Can I still take my class, or will it be cancelled?

A. If you are late, your teacher will be available during the entire time you booked for.

*Please note that class times will be extended only if the start time is delayed by the teacher.

Q. Can I reschedule my class?

A. Group lessons cannot be rescheduled.

Private lessons can be rescheduled through your account up to 24 hours prior to the lesson start time by following the instructions below. We recommend that you reschedule as early as possible.

a. How to reschedule a fixed class on your Lesson Plan

1. Find the class you wish to reschedule from the right side bar of your Student Account or from your Lesson Schedule page and click “Reschedule”

2. Select the date and time you wish to reschedule to and click “Book” button. You can only reschedule up to 2 times.

b. How to reschedule a class booked using your coins

1. Find the class you wish to reschedule from the right side bar of your Student Account or from your Lesson Schedule page and click “Cancel”

2. Click “Cancel Class” and your coins will be returned to your Student Account.

3. Book a class again on the date and time of your choice. To book a class using your coins, please see Q. How do I book classes using my coins?

Q. Can I cancel my class? Will I get a refund?

A. For classes booked on your Learning Plan: Classes that will happen within 24 hours can be canceled by clicking the “Cancel” button. Please note that you will not be refunded for canceled class. You may also reschedule a class up to 24 hours prior to the class start. For more information about rescheduling, please see Q. Can I reschedule my class?

For classes booked using your coins, cancellations made at least 24 hours prior to the lesson start time will be refunded. For more information regarding your coins, please see Q. What is the coin system

Q. Is there a penalty for missing a class without a notice?

A. Your coins will be consumed for any classes that were missed and were failed to be rescheduled on time prior to the class start time.

Q. Can I check my child's progress?

A. To view your child's overall progress, you can go to your Student Dashboard.

To go to your Student Dashboard, follow these steps:

1. Log into your GSA student account.
2. Go to the left sidebar and click on the Clock icon at the very left.
3. This will lead you to your Student Dashboard, where you can view your child's entire English progress, which includes non-GSA related English activities.

With your Dashboard, you can log all English activity from the past and present to add English hours to your child's total English progress.

To learn more about how you can use your Dashboard, click here for more information.