Short version: we don't ask for your name, email or any account details, and our tools run inside your browser. Advertising and affiliate partners, and our web host, may collect some technical information as described below.
What we don't collect
- We have no user accounts, sign-ups or forms.
- Practice answers, essays and typed text stay in your browser. They aren't sent to us.
- Speaking recordings stay in your browser's memory so you can play them back, and are deleted when you leave or reload the page. They're never uploaded.
- Speaking feedback (start time, pauses, speaking time) is calculated in your browser from the sound level of your microphone. Nothing is sent anywhere.
What may be collected, and by whom
Our web host. Like almost every website, our hosting provider automatically keeps server logs (for example, IP address, browser type, pages requested and time). These are used for security and keeping the site running. We don't use them to identify you.
Advertising (Google AdSense). When ads are shown, Google and its partners may use cookies or similar technologies to show ads and measure them, which can include ads based on your visits to this and other sites. You can manage ad personalisation at Google's ad settings and learn more at how Google uses information from sites that use its services. Where the law requires it (for example, for visitors in the EU or UK), you'll be asked for consent first.
Affiliate links (including Amazon Associates). If you click an affiliate link, the partner may set a cookie to record that you came from us, so we can earn a commission. That partner's privacy policy then applies. We don't receive your personal details from them.
Flashcards. If you turn on "Remember my progress", your flashcard progress is saved in your browser's local storage on your own device, never sent to us. Turn it off or press "Reset my progress" to delete it.
Pronunciation speaking check (optional, off by default). If you turn it on, your browser's speech recognition listens to the word you say, and in some browsers (for example Google Chrome) the browser maker processes that audio. We never receive it.
Writing practice and the essay checker. Your essays and summaries are marked by code running in your own browser. They are never sent to us or stored. The spelling dictionary is downloaded to your browser to do this.
"Check my words" (optional, off by default). If you switch it on, your browser's built-in speech recognition converts your speech to text so we can show content feedback. In some browsers (for example Google Chrome), the browser maker processes that audio on its own servers under its own privacy policy. We never receive the audio or the text.
Saved progress (on your device only). By default, the site saves a record of the activities you complete (the date, which page, your points, points by question type, writing score estimates and speaking timings, never your answers, writing or recordings) in your browser's local storage on your own device, so you can see your progress on the My progress page. It is never sent to us. You can turn this off at any time on that page, delete everything with one button, or clear it in your browser settings. It may also be deleted automatically if you clear your browsing data, use a private window, or (in Safari) don't visit for 7 days.
Read-aloud features. "Hear it" buttons and listening questions use your browser's built-in speech feature. Some browsers send the text to be read (not anything about you) to their own online voice service.
Anonymous usage counts. To show how many people use the site (for example "2,000+ tests completed"), your browser sends us the name of an activity when you finish it, such as "a PTE mock test was completed" or "an essay was marked". Nothing else is sent: no answers, scores, recordings, IP addresses, cookies or anything that could identify you. We only keep running totals per activity and per month. We also count one visit per browser per day: your browser remembers only today's date on your device, and sends a plain "+1 visit". englishcoaching.co and englishcoaching.co are two editions of the same service and share one counter. Clicks on the home page "Today" tiles are counted the same way (tile name only), and kept for 10 days to show the most popular practice first.
Moving your progress between editions. On the My progress page, "Take my progress" opens the other edition (englishcoaching.co or englishcoaching.co) with your saved activities in the part of the web address after the # sign. Browsers never send that part to any server, so your progress goes straight from your browser to your browser, and you choose whether to add it.
Edition reminder (englishcoaching.co only). If your device's clock is set to an Australian time zone, the global edition may show a small note pointing to the Australian edition. Only your device checks its own time-zone setting; nothing is sent to us. If you close the note, your browser remembers that on your device so it isn't shown again.
Advertising consent. If advertising is switched on, visitors in the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland are asked for consent first, through Google's consent message.
Analytics. We either use no analytics or a privacy-friendly, cookie-free service that counts visits without identifying you.
Email. If you email us, we receive what you send and use it only to reply. We don't add you to mailing lists unless you ask.
Newsletter (optional). If you subscribe to our weekly email, your email address (and, if you choose, the test you're preparing for) is sent directly to our email service provider, which stores it so we can send you the newsletter. This website itself doesn't store it. We use it only to send the newsletter, never sell it, and every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link. You can also ask us to delete your details at any time.
Fonts and images
Our fonts and images are hosted on our own server, so loading a page doesn't send your details to font services.
Your choices
You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, use your browser's private mode, or use an ad blocker. The site's tools will still work.
Children
This site is meant for adults and older teenagers preparing for English tests. We don't knowingly collect information from children.
Changes and contact
We may update this policy as the site changes. The date at the top shows the latest version. Questions? Email hello@englishcoaching.co.