Last updated: 3 November 2026
This policy explains what information Oscar Lessons (https://oscarlessons.com) collects when you visit, how it is used, and the choices you have. Oscar Lessons is run by Oscar and Ruth, two English teachers who share lesson plans and teaching materials. In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Oscar Lessons.
Summary
- You can read and download our free materials without creating an account or giving us any personal information.
- We collect personal information only when you choose to give it to us, for example when you subscribe to our newsletter, leave a comment, buy a product or contact us.
- Like most websites, we use cookies and similar tools for advertising, analytics, security and to keep the site running.
- We do not sell your personal information.
Information you give us
- Newsletter: if you subscribe, we store your email address (and your name, if you provide it), the date you subscribed, and whether you open or click our emails. We use this only to send you new lesson plans and site news. Every email has an unsubscribe link.
- Comments: when you leave a comment, we collect the name, email address and website you enter, your IP address and your browser’s user agent string. Your comment and name are shown publicly; your email address is not.
- Purchases: paid products are processed by PayPal. PayPal handles your payment details; we never see your card or bank information. We receive your name, email address and the details of your order so we can deliver your download and keep records.
- Messages: if you contact us through our contact form, we receive your name, email address and message by email, and a copy is stored on the website. We use them only to reply to you. Messages are checked for spam by Akismet.
Information collected automatically
When you visit the site, our hosting, security and analytics services automatically receive technical information such as your IP address, browser and device type, the pages you visit, the page that referred you and the date and time of your visit. We use this to keep the site secure, fix problems, and understand which lessons are most useful.
Cookies and third-party services
Cookies are small text files stored in your browser. Some are essential for the site to work (for example, remembering your shopping cart or your comment details). Others are set by the services listed below. Visitors in the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland are asked for consent before non-essential advertising cookies are used, and you can change your choice at any time using the privacy or cookie settings link shown by the consent message.
- Google AdSense (advertising): we show ads from Google to cover the costs of running the site. Google and its partners may use cookies to show ads based on your previous visits to this and other websites. You can turn off personalised advertising at Google Ad Settings, and learn more at How Google uses information from sites that use its services. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ personalised ads at aboutads.info.
- Google Analytics (via Google Site Kit): helps us count visitors and see which pages are popular. Google Privacy Policy. You can opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
- Microsoft Clarity: helps us understand how visitors use the site (for example, where people click and scroll) so we can improve the design. Clarity may record anonymised interactions with pages. Microsoft Privacy Statement.
- Jetpack and WordPress.com (Automattic): provide visitor statistics, faster image delivery and site features. Automattic Privacy Policy.
- Gravatar (Automattic): if you comment, a scrambled code made from your email address (a hash) may be sent to Gravatar to check whether you have a profile picture.
- Akismet (Automattic): checks comments for spam, using the comment content, your IP address and browser information.
- MailPoet (Automattic): stores our newsletter subscriber list and sends our emails.
- Wordfence: protects the site from hacking attempts and may log IP addresses and set security cookies.
- Cloudflare: delivers the site quickly and blocks malicious traffic. Cloudflare Privacy Policy.
- Bluehost: hosts the website and its server logs.
- PayPal: processes payments. PayPal Privacy Statement.
- YouTube: some pages include embedded YouTube videos. YouTube (Google) may set cookies when you play a video.
- Social sharing buttons: share buttons for networks such as Facebook and Pinterest are plain links. No information is sent to those networks unless you click one.
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. If you block all cookies, some parts of the site (such as the shopping cart) may not work.
Why we use your information
We use your information to run and secure the website, send newsletters you asked for, deliver products you buy, reply to messages, show ads, and improve our content. Where the law requires a legal basis (for example, under the GDPR), we rely on your consent (newsletter, personalised ads, non-essential cookies), on the need to fulfil a purchase you make, and on our legitimate interests in running a secure and useful website.
Who we share it with
We share information only with the service providers listed above, to the extent they need it to provide their services, or when required by law. We do not sell or rent your personal information to anyone.
How long we keep it
- Newsletter subscriptions: until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete your details.
- Comments: for as long as the comment is published.
- Purchase records: for as long as needed for tax and accounting purposes.
- Messages: for as long as needed to deal with your enquiry.
- Analytics and security logs: according to the retention settings of each service, usually no more than 14 months.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access the personal information we hold about you, correct it, delete it, receive a copy of it, object to or restrict how we use it, and withdraw your consent at any time. California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected and to request its deletion; we do not sell or share personal information for money. To make a request, contact us. If you are in the EEA or UK, you also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.
International transfers
Our service providers may process information in the United States and other countries. Where required, they use safeguards such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses or the EU–US Data Privacy Framework.
Children
This site is intended for teachers and adult learners. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA). If you believe a child has given us personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when our site or the services we use change. The date at the top shows when it was last updated.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this policy or your information, please use our contact page.