FAQ

Breaking the Barrier was founded in 1997 by educators. Series Author John Conner has taught language for over forty years. His instruction has led thousands of students to feel comfortable speaking a new language. They have scored highly on AP examinations and embraced what they've learned about new cultures.

Leading middle schools, high schools, homeschool communities, and colleges in all 50 states choose Breaking the Barrier due to our innovative approach to learning language. We have received numerous awards and recognition from organizations and academic leaders including Fast Company, This Old Schoolhouse, Cathy Duffy, the Revere Awards, the state of Virginia, and many others. Breaking the Barrier's approach is the fastest way to achieve language fluency.

Online Access transforms language learning into a captivating adventure. Interactive exercises provide immediate feedback. Audio by native speakers, flashcards, videos, cultural articles, and captivating imagery engage students. The explanations, exercises, and vocabulary mirror the print books.

Yes - Breaking the Barrier aligns with ACTFL’s World-Readiness Standards, supporting the five goal areas—Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. The curriculum promotes real-world communication, cultural understanding, and balanced development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, helping students advance through ACTFL proficiency levels.

The ¡Vamos! and ¡En camino! titles are ideal for students in grades 6–9. Spanish and French Levels 1–3 are for high school students or advanced middle schoolers (grades 8–12).

You can purchase online or email orders@tobreak.com. You may also call 978-448-0594.

A full list of products with ISBN numbers is available here.

The instructions are delivered via email immediately upon purchase. Please check your spam folder or promotions tab for emails from @tobreak.com.

Yes. The audio recordings provide great practice for students by accompanying the core textbook with native speakers from around the Hispanic/Latino and Francophone worlds. Each level presents new vocabulary, conversation practice, and audio recordings for practice sentences, the adventure series, and the cultural articles.

Yes. You can access the online books from any device.

The exercises are the same. However, Online Access incorporates interactive exercises, videos, audio, vocabulary flashcards, and cultural articles.

The Homeschool Package includes all you need: Student Edition Textbook, Answer Key, Test Program, Vocabulary Quizzes, Online Access (12 months), and the Oasis pocket dictionary.

Each level is equivalent to a full credit of language study.

Yes. We provide a detailed guide and calendar for planning. Tests and quizzes include a straightforward grading rubric.

One Homeschool Package. For each additional child, purchase an extra Student Edition + Online Access.

Yes. We work with many charter schools across the country and accept purchase orders.

Approved in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Focus on key concepts in class and assign exercises for home. Use the "MyStudents" feature in Online Access to track progress.

Orders typically ship out the following business day. Most packages ship via USPS. Standard Shipping will ship out USPS Media Mail and typically delivers between 2-10 business days.

Priority Shipping will typically deliver within 2-3 business days after shipment. We are not responsible for USPS shipment delays.

Breaking the Barrier will only accept returns within 30 days of the original invoice date for a refund/credit.

A 10% restocking fee applies to all returns.

All returned items must have been purchased directly from Breaking the Barrier.

Returns must be received in their original, new, undamaged, unopened/sealed and saleable condition. Breaking the Barrier reserves the right to determine saleable condition. Products returned in non-saleable condition will be rejected and cannot be returned to the customer.

Return freight charges are the customer's responsibility and original shipping charges will not be refunded.

All Digital/Online items are non-returnable.

For partial online items (Homeschool Package, for example), the full price of the online product is non-refundable.

Please send returns to:

Breaking the Barrier
ATTN: Returns Department
63 Shirley Road
Groton, MA, 01450

Free shipping with $75+ purchase.

We charge a flat 10% on all Purchase Orders.

The teacher edition has the answers printed into all of the exercise sections, while the student book has blank spaces.

Our books are kept up-to-date with the latest cultural information. We have new printings roughly every other year. Page numbers do not change. These updates keep our books current and allow us, for example, to list current heads of state and populations on our country maps.

Resellers often sell used, old, or very out-of-date versions. To ensure that you receive the most recent books for the best price, please order directly through us. It helps us stay in business!

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