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


Q. Is there a free trial?

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

If you are interested in a free trial, please contact our Student Relations team.

*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 Student Relations 3 days before your first charge date.

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:


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:



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 GSA course list?

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.



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 a digital library service where your child will have access to over 9000 phonics-focused books to help your child strengthen their reading skills.

To enjoy the benefit of these Add-Ons, you would pay 2,035 yen worth of GSA coins every month. Details to these Add-On services can be found at the bottom of this page.



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 the icon 1. Schedule.
  2. On the Schedule page, go down to the 2. Your Class Schedule section.
  3. Go to the class you must enter into, and click 3. 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 A. current date's section on the lefthand sidebar.
  2. Click 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. Yes, you can reschedule your class to a later date from your account if you cannot take your class at the assigned time. Please note that you will only be able to reschedule 24 hours before your class up to 2 times within a specified timeframe.


Q. How do I cancel a class? Do I get a refund?

A. You will be able to cancel classes within 24 hours of the class start time. You will be allowed 2 rescheduling times before you will need to cancel your class. Cancelled classes will not be refunded.


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.


    4.



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.