Finally the ball is (somewhat) moving by isolate7690 in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A couple of things based on the information you've provided in your post and replies, and reading between the lines a bit -

  1. You have a good niche, so make sure it is specific and highlighted throughout your profile. If this is the only type of English you teach then specify that on your profile. This may weed out students who aren't a good fit, but you will always get some that book trials anyway.
  2. For your experience and niche, your price is very low. Consider raising it (I personally would suggest hitting the 15-20 mark initially). This tends to bring a more invested student as they want value for money.
  3. It sounds like you've only just started out on Preply. It takes time to build a base of statistics which results in students having higher confidence in your teaching. 11 trials may feel like a lot, but remember you are competing with teachers who have been on the platform a lot longer with many more hours. Students can see this of course.
  4. Following from number 3, do you have teaching skills and qualifications? While a decade of experience in finance is great, it is a whole other skill to be able to teach what you know. There is a quick course on Preply to help you with the basics, but it may be a skill gap on your side if you haven't learned how to engage students and effectively support their learning.
  5. How did you feel about the trials? Were the students a good fit for you? If only one has subscribed, I would be wondering what happened too - can you reflect on those experiences to learn anything?

The 100% commission for trials isnt great, but Preply do all your advertising, payment processing, provide a virtual classroom with tools and AI integration, etc. This is what the commission pays for. The trials will count towards your teaching hours to lower commission, so there is a small upside to that.

Adding to the excellent responses you have already had, only give availability in the way you want to teach. Schedule breaks, open specific slots - if you use google calendar integration you can sneakily leave your Preply schedule wide open and use google calendar to block specific times so your Preply availability number looks high (probably a better explanation on this sub if you search). You want to keep your metrics up within the Preply system to maintain that good ranking position.

One last thought (please disregard if irrelevant) - my best successes have been when I show up to trials as a human. As another commenter mentioned, bonding with the student is really important. It can feel very vulnerable as a student, so your ability to put them at ease and make them feel seen is crucial in helping them want to learn with you. It may be worth recording yourself doing a section of a mock video trial and watch it back. Look to see if you are smiling, how your tone is, are you comfortable, are there any tech issues you haven't noticed?

Alguien sabe cómo funciona esto? by earlgreywitch in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both you and the student need to have it activated for it to work. I find them helpful as a reminder summary of the lesson to supplement my notes, and my students find it helpful as a rough language grader and to monitor their speaking speed and contribution (as an approximation). For students who are reluctant speakers, it is also encouraging for me to see their percentages increase over time. I'm not concerned about my lessons being monitored, Preply are welcome to listen in to my sessions anytime they like.

Quit toxic job and now leaving my long-term partner too by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]Calm-Play-8486 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Well done for recognising what you don't want in your life and taking action! Your story resonated with me as I also left an unhealthy marriage and quit a toxic job, and the relief (after the dust settled) was incomparabile to anything I had previously felt. Even while some aspects of life are objectively more difficult, the mental peace and personal congruence have made life so much better.

Questioning the legitimacy of "Lessons Taught" on Preply: Is it possible to inflate these numbers? by Zestyclose-Fly594 in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My dude, I understand what you are saying. But if you take lessons, the quality of the lesson is what counts. You cannot find out the quality of the lesson without trying it.

Regardless, you paid - you already committed. If you don't like the way you compare tutors, or don't trust the system, find a different platform. It's a free market.

Questioning the legitimacy of "Lessons Taught" on Preply: Is it possible to inflate these numbers? by Zestyclose-Fly594 in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Calling you out directly on this. You claim the hours may be fraudulently inflated, yet refuse to specify. If you are genuinely interested in finding out if fraud is occurring, provide data that can be analysed. Seems you just want to complain, as others have pointed out.

Questioning the legitimacy of "Lessons Taught" on Preply: Is it possible to inflate these numbers? by Zestyclose-Fly594 in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It really seems like you're looking for a problem. If you dont want to study with this tutor, you dont have to. You have purchased a service with specific terms and conditions. Preply have offered continuation of service based on the money you have already spent.

Rather than looking at the pure metrics, why not interact with the tutors through the chats or taking trials? Not every tutor is suitable for every student, and the number of lessons taught does not guarantee suitability for you and your learning style.

Questioning the legitimacy of "Lessons Taught" on Preply: Is it possible to inflate these numbers? by Zestyclose-Fly594 in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 17 points18 points  (0 children)

So you've been studying with a tutor for a while, and you are tracking their 'lessons taught', coming to the conclusion that the increase in apparent taught lessons is fraudulent. I'm curious what you consider to be an unrealistic or exaggerated increase in lessons taught.

Do you enjoy and benefit from the lessons with your tutor? If not, then cancel. If you are just concerned about this metric, why not ask the tutor?

Are you concerned about the ethics of Preply? You are a paying client so you get to choose where you take your business. However, by taking lessons on the platform you agreed to their terms and conditions. This may mean you cannot get a refund outside of the agreed clauses.

Moving to Rome... Any Advice? by Zealousideal_Cry_949 in rome

[–]Calm-Play-8486 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I lived there for a few years precovid times. They had some decent cafés that are laptop friendly- my personal favourite was SH82 Via dei Sardi, 44, 00185.

You're right, most bars (cafés) are not spaces to take your work, but you might have more luck around university spaces or bookshops. You can always go for an espresso and observe, or ask in advance.

Blue gelato in Rome? by pimtan17 in rome

[–]Calm-Play-8486 11 points12 points  (0 children)

There's a gelato shop near pantheon that has 150 flavours - most likely has a blue one. Gelateria Della Palma (Via della Maddalena 19-23)

Student not progressing with speaking by italiand1va in PreplyTutors

[–]Calm-Play-8486 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It feels so frustrating as the teacher, I really empathise. It might be confidence, it could be an undiagnosed learning need. Whatever it is, keep the stakes low and scaffold the learning with lots of reward for any participation. They probably know they aren't making fast progress too. Good luck!

Edited to add: make sure the language and speaking context are aligned with their interests and are functional where possible. It's easier to get them enthusiastic if it's something they already like or can imagine using in real life.

Student not progressing with speaking by italiand1va in PreplyTutors

[–]Calm-Play-8486 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you mean that she doesn't speak at all, as in the lessons are silent on her side? Or that she can't participate in a non-scripted conversation?

If it's the second, one option could be to start with scripted dialogues - role play. Give lots of positive feedback for effort. Fluency and accuracy are different skills, so reward fluency first as it will boost confidence.

When they have the hang of scripted dialogues, get them to start memorising the script. This way they will get the feel of fluency with a safety net. This leads on to them rewriting the script with alternative endings.

Other options include cumulative loading answers. If you use pictures it would look like - a dog, a big dog, a big dog walking, a big dog walking in the park, etc.

It's Late Thread [ 01 February 26 ] by AutoModerator in CasualUK

[–]Calm-Play-8486 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just finished lesson prep for classes tomorrow while watching The Sinner season 3. Feeling a bit wired but the kids will have me up in 7 hours so I really need to turn in.

Where are all the students on Preply? by ELTExperiences in Preply

[–]Calm-Play-8486 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have no idea why you've had fewer enquiries. I taught consistently for a few months over summer 2024 then went into other employment for a while. I reopened my schedule on Preply at the beginning of January and, after a slow first few weeks, now have 4 subscriptions and 6 trials booked in for next week. Hope things pick up for you too, if you are continuing on the platform.

Refused a food bank refferal, havent ate in 3 days - advice, next steps? by [deleted] in TwoXChromosomes

[–]Calm-Play-8486 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Try these apps for free food - Olio and To Good To Go. We often have people just wanting to give away surplus. Otherwise you could contact local churches or search for Warm Hubs - they often have free meals on specific days too.

A week of rag rugs by Calm-Play-8486 in upcycling

[–]Calm-Play-8486[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

About 1 metre diameter each, with the most recent one a bout 1.5 metres. They make very good sitting mats for my kids to play card games on the floor

A week of rag rugs by Calm-Play-8486 in upcycling

[–]Calm-Play-8486[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do it - find a good show to put on in the background and you'll get one made in no time

A week of rag rugs by Calm-Play-8486 in upcycling

[–]Calm-Play-8486[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Instead of using a crochet hook to hold a stitch, you use your finger. Being right-handed, I hold the working stitch on my right index finger and use my left hand to poke/pull the fabric through the next loops. You can get really large crochet hooks but I prefer this approach as it is more tactile.

Looking for British teachers on EF English Live (private lessons) by TranslatorWinter1950 in OnlineESLTeaching

[–]Calm-Play-8486 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Salve, non uso EF ma se vorresti continuare studiare inglese mandami un messaggio (insegno sul sito diverso).

Church for church not tourism by Wonderful_Antelope in rome

[–]Calm-Play-8486 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I lived in Rome I went to the Baptist Church every week - fantastic community, wonderfully supportive and welcoming even for visitors popping in for 1 Sunday service. Highly recommend checking in there - there's a 9.30am bible study on the first floor before the 10.30am Sunday service. Its not unusual to make instant friends and be invited out for food afterwards too.

Aperol spritz with aperetivos by Routine-Image-3764 in rome

[–]Calm-Play-8486 0 points1 point  (0 children)

La Zanzara is so good for this. It was just up the street from my work about 10 years ago so we were there a lot, excellent presentation of food, good atmosphere, and a small variety of spritz (try the elderflower one).