# The Smarty Box > The Smarty Box is an online English school, teaching since 2020. It hand matches each child with the right specialist tutor from a small team, then the parent books a free 25 minute demo lesson. Not a marketplace. A match. Lessons are one on one (or small group), 25 or 50 minutes, live online, for children from age 4, teenagers and adults. Families learn from around the world, including Germany and Poland, and see lesson times in their own timezone. ## How the matching works - [Tutor Match quiz](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/match): 7 questions (who is learning, age, main goal, level, learning style, preferred days and times, session length). The match weighs the goal and tutor specialism highest, then age group, teaching style and availability, and shows the best tutor with 3 reasons plus 2 alternatives. - Booking: choose a session type (free 25 minute demo, 25 or 50 minute class), pick a time from the tutor's open hours in your timezone, and enter your name, email and WhatsApp number. The team confirms the time and sends the lesson link. ## Tutors - [Alexander Tops](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/alexander): Founder and Lead Course Facilitator. Founder of The Smarty Box. Speech and Drama graduate with Level 5 TEFL and over 10,000 hours of online teaching. Helps teens and adults speak up with confidence. - [Sacha](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/sacha): Head of Phonics and Junior Learning. Leads our phonics programme. A Phonics to G6 educator who helps young children fall in love with reading. - [James](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/james): Business English Specialist. Business English Specialist and G1 to G6 educator. Parents and students describe him as humorous, and his lessons keep older kids, teens and adults engaged. - [Barby](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/barby): Head of Writing and Literacy. Head of Writing and Literacy and a G1 to G6 educator. Clear, structured lessons that make grammar and writing click. - [Shelley](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/shelley): Foundation Phase Specialist. Foundation Phase specialist in English, literacy and numeracy for 4 to 7 year olds. - [Marishe](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/marishe): Phonics to G6 Educator. Phonics to G6 educator, from first sounds through to primary school English. - [Trent](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/trent): Drama Teacher and ESL Educator. Qualified drama teacher and ESL educator. Energetic lessons that get learners speaking with confidence. - [Jessica](https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/tutors/jessica): Foundation Phase Teacher. Foundation Phase teacher and Phonics to G3 educator for early readers aged 4 to 9. Founder: Alexander Tops, Founder and Lead Course Facilitator. Degree in Speech and Drama. Level 5 TEFL certification. Over 10,000 hours of online teaching. Background in theatre, script writing, public speaking and performance. ## Programmes - Foundations: Build a strong base with phonics, grammar, and everyday vocabulary for young learners and beginners. - Fluency: Develop practical communication skills and confidence through engaging lessons designed for intermediate students and adults. - Mastery: Refine your language skills by focusing on nuance, tone, and idiomatic expressions, including advanced and professional Business English. - Oxford Phonics World: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6 - Curated G1 to G6 syllabus: Oxford Discover, Smarty Speaking, Grammar, Vocabulary Builders, RAZ Readers - Exam preparation: Cambridge YLE, Cambridge KET, Cambridge PET, TOEFL, IELTS - Adult English: Daily English, Travel English, Business English: meetings, Presentations, Negotiation, Email writing - Optional extras: Wonders, National Geographic Look, Think, Great Writing, RAZ Intensive Reading, Power Up, Wonderskills, Public Speaking and Debating, Free Talk - Goals covered: Learn to read and phonics; Keep up or get ahead at school; Pass an exam: YLE, KET, PET, TOEFL or IELTS; Speak with confidence; Writing and grammar; Business or travel English - Details: https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/programmes ## FAQ ### How do you match my child with a tutor? You answer 7 quick questions about your child: age, main goal, level, how they learn best and when they are free. We score every Smarty Box tutor on specialism, age group, teaching style and availability, then show you the best fit with 3 clear reasons, plus 2 alternatives. You then book a free 25 minute demo lesson with that tutor. ### Can we change tutor? Yes. If the fit isn't right, message us on WhatsApp or by email and we will suggest another tutor from our team. ### How long are lessons? Lessons are 25 or 50 minutes. Younger children usually start with 25 minutes; older learners and adults often prefer 50. The free demo lesson is 25 minutes. ### Is it one on one? Yes. Lessons are one on one by default, with the same tutor every time. Small group classes are also available. ### How do we join a lesson? Lessons are live online. The lesson link is in your booking confirmation email and on your confirmation page, and the Join lesson button activates 10 minutes before the start. Your child can join from a computer, tablet or phone. ### What does my child need? A device with a working camera and microphone, headphones if possible, a stable internet connection and a quiet spot. Join 5 minutes early to test sound and video. ### Which ages do you teach? We teach children from age 4, teenagers and adults: from first phonics and early reading, through the G1 to G6 school syllabus, to exam preparation and Business English. ### Do you prepare for YLE, KET, PET, TOEFL and IELTS? Yes. We offer exam preparation for Cambridge YLE, KET and PET, and for TOEFL and IELTS. ### How do I track progress? After every lesson your tutor adds lesson notes and homework, which are emailed to you, so you always know what your child covered and what to practise next. ### How much does it cost? The first 25 minute demo lesson is free. Your tutor or our team will share lesson prices for 25 and 50 minute classes after the demo, so you only commit once you know the match is right. ### Is there a sibling option? Yes, brothers and sisters can each have their own matched tutor, and each child can have one free demo lesson. Message us on WhatsApp to arrange lessons for siblings. ### Is my child's data safe? Yes. We only ask for what we need to arrange lessons, a parent or guardian must give consent, and we handle data in line with POPIA (South Africa) and GDPR (EU). Children's names are never shown publicly. ## Contact - Email: info@thesmartybox.net - Phone and WhatsApp: +27 82 682 0936 (https://wa.me/27826820936) - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSmartyBoxESL - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmartybox - Contact page: https://the-smarty-box.pages.dev/contact