Shine's Story
I started Shine in 2013 with two friends who had a vision for an online English company. We were excited to build a company that was focused on providing highly relational and customized English instruction. I met my first student, “Jena,” when she was 10 years old. I saw her go from a boarding school in China, to high school, to studying like crazy for the Gaokao exam, and now she’s thriving at her university, studying law.
Each Shine teacher, whether teaching a 3-year-old or a CEO at a large company, believes that a good student-teacher relationship is key to language improvement. A genuine connection fosters trust. This trust creates a safe environment to practice English, to make mistakes, to laugh, and to gain confidence in one’s English ability. Even though Shine originally started as a Business English company, we’ve found that the same principles apply whether students are young or old.
We are committed to providing professional, and relationship-centered English instruction through certified teachers who teach with integrity, joy, and dedication. We hope each student and teacher will be a bright light in this world and shine in their communication.
Best regards,
Jennifer Gerth
President, Shine Language School
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I work with Shine?
Shine teachers prioritize building a good relationship with students. We customize our classes, care deeply about our students, and have qualified, professional teachers. We guarantee that your teacher will provide effective and personal English instruction. At Shine, you are treated like family!
What are your teacher credentials?
- Master’s degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- TESOL Certificate (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- U.S. or Canada teaching license for kindergarten through 12th grade
- One or more years of full-time teaching experience
- Oversight by a university professor
- Several of our teachers are bilingual.
- All teachers are native-English speakers
What curriculum do you use?
We primarily use National Geographic curriculum. Your teacher will determine the best National Geographic textbook
and correct Level to optimize your learning. If you prefer to have a literature or conversation class, your teacher will
plan accordingly. Shine teachers are versatile and will custom design the best course according to the students’ learning goals.
How much do lessons cost?
Pricing varies depending on the class type, teacher, length, and size. There is usually a curriculum fee to access the National
Geographic curriculum, which typically costs between $40.00 - $50.00 per level. Contact us for a free trial class and personalized quote.
How do I pay?
You can pay through WeChat Pay, Alipay, Wise, a domestic or international bank transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or check payment. There is a 3% fee for any international payment sent to Shine outside of the U.S.A.
What video platform do you use for online classes?
We use whichever video platform works best for the student and teacher. This can change based on availability. Currently, most teachers are using Zoom or VooV (Tencent meeting), but we are open to learning what works best for you.
What other services does Shine offer?
College and high school advisors - For students who want to study in the U.S.A.
Shine advisors provide application assistance to American high schools and universities, including interview preparation and essay writing guidance. Shine advisors have proven experience of helping high school graduates get into their preferred U.S. school.
Travel the U.S.A. with an English teacher - For groups who want to learn English through traveling, exploring, and having fun. Come with Shine on a trip of a lifetime. Shine Travel advisors will custom design an educational and beautiful trip to your favorite places in the U.S.A. Traveling with a Shine teacher is one of the best ways to learn English and American culture and see some of the most famous places in the U.S.A. including university tours and National Parks.
Translation Services - For companies or individuals that want translation or transcription done from Chinese to English or English to Chinese. Our Shine translators have been doing professional translation since 2010 and have native proficiency in both Chinese and English. Past translation projects include legal documents, business contracts, business manuals, quality control documents, medical surveys, interviews, electrical engineering documents, food production documents, and educational curriculum. Get More Information
Free English Conversation Group - For individuals who want an informal way to practice English. Conversation groups are taught by native English speakers. Get More Information
Editing Services - For companies or individuals who want professional written communication. English is important for your business, and using English well will make a good impression on your customers and peers alike. Whether sending an email, writing a brochure for marketing, putting together a newsletter, or creating a manual for your company, using correct English matters. Shine's goal is to help you communicate in a professional and accurate way, whether you are connecting with English-speaking colleagues or reaching out to customers.
