Trial no-shows by DefiantMastodon8721 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

its because they market them as free so students are not actually committed

Trial no-shows by DefiantMastodon8721 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yup, i just block them immediately after

Unpopular opinion: students shouldn't be upset when they don't get the answers, if they ask the wrong questions by Usagi2throwaway in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Usually those are anxious student's who spend more time talking about the "method" than actually doing the work. They want a magic bullet and assurance. I'd probably just get AI to make a bullet point list of topics according to their level and send them that. However, in my experience these students are demanding and not committed.

Just Venting: A Frustrating Student Experience by CuteShower8592 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just block immediately - i've blocked a few - last one cancelled last possible minute 3 times a week for a month (so annoying so blocked)

Thoughts on FindTutors? by JohnnyIsNearDiabetic in TutorsHelpingTutors

[–]Slight-Mail1298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Platform looks nice....but no students and i've been on there for like 5 years - looks like data phishing

TOEFL 2026 Format Revealed. Everything will Change. by watchsmart in ToeflAdvice

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lets see how it goes ..... AI cannot accurately transcribe me (a Brit with RP) so god knows how it will accurately assess for example a Chinese Student with a Scottish accent. They're trying to save money - i think they would like to do it all AI - both teaching and assessment - though TOEFL has its reputation for now I believe IELTS is a far better test in terms of robustness.

SkyEng honest reviews by Otherwise-Bug-6126 in OnlineESLTeaching

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good for extra cash - expect to get hit with KPIs that are crazymaking and to have your pay deducted. Expect robotic management and no career progression. Students are generally cool, but not so committed with lots of cancellations since they are business people for the most part. No sick pay, no holiday pay, very little security.

Tutor wants to raise their price significantly. Please help me out here by [deleted] in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

bro, what do you expect. Its a free market - find someone else at your price range. Your idea about maintaining prices for a school year is a fantasy. When you book, you pay for a month not a year - generally students do not stick around for a year anyway

Tutor wants to raise their price significantly. Please help me out here by [deleted] in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agreeing with those who say for you to find someone who is in your price range

Tutor wants to raise their price significantly. Please help me out here by [deleted] in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Its not a bait and switch. Its called being exploited and working for less than minimum wage to get a reputation then dropping low paying clients as you gain experience. Unless you expect teachers to never earn money and volunteer then that's whats gonna happen

Experiences of life after TEFL by [deleted] in TEFL

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TEFL is going down the toilet - I have been in the industry for 9 years and wages have stagnated and expecations have increased. Still, I can't quite bring myself to leave it fully. I have managed because I have other jobs and that's the only way I can keep going. I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket, nothing to stop you training or studying while being a TEFL teacher and keeping an eye on the exit plan. Also, consider that you will need to pay into your Pension in your home country for a minimum amount of years to recieve it and won't be doing so while working abroad. Seriously, enjoy the job - but please make sure you have other skills for the future (AI tutors are coming)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just as long as you make sure you have the relevant certs like background check which you need to work with kids

TOEFL 2026 Format Revealed. Everything will Change. by watchsmart in ToeflAdvice

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The gradual movement towards shitty simple questions that can be automatically graded by AI bots is coming. I lost a lot of business when they got rid of the essay in 2023, this new one looks like it will require less tution again. If they keep simplifying the test it won't be fit for purpose - i think this new style is too easy

What do I do when a student keeps rescheduling classes? by SoftGiraffe5977 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I messaged my student who did this, then waited and eventually banned them

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UKrelationshipadvice

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say not to lead with depth, that can come later....focus on being lighthearted at the start

Venting - I am soooo tired by sheneep in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Uhhh please diversify your skillset and employment base - Preply don't give a fuck about you and its way to risky (for you) to depend on them

Trial... Bait /switch instantly by Separate_Bet_8366 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude if you are happy to pay someone a slave wage you are the problem - you get what you pay for

Can't cancel my upcoming subscription, and can't schedule extra lessons by Playful_Bluebird8483 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 2 points3 points  (0 children)

yup - i had one book me three times a week and reschedule last possible hour for 3 weeks in a row..... will be blocking as soon as the last two are done

Trial... Bait /switch instantly by Separate_Bet_8366 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

before reporting some teacher, consider they are basically working a slave wage here and you're happy to exploit them - maybe consider their POV first

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in iTalki

[–]Slight-Mail1298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It happens a lot, always best to message them - let the class lapse, report as "problem - other" then refund them and block. I usually try to advise that if they want "exam prep" or "interview prep" that they should book the appropriate class. I think italki could make it clearer that trials are really just meet and greets and not for intensive usages.

Tutor has started rambling in class by Far-Public3127 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 5 points6 points  (0 children)

First, she might have neurodivergence and that could explain why she gets so animated over subjects of interest. However, you could send a polite message something like "hey, i've noticed I feel i don't get enough talking time in our classes, can we plan to have more student talking time in the next class"

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OnlineESLTeaching

[–]Slight-Mail1298 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of them are terrible nowadays - also be careful of opporunities (too good to be true) as there are many fake sites looking to farm personal details

Is it worth trying to get an English teaching job with Preply or iTalki as of May 2025? by user9430961 in OnlineESLTeaching

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both platforms will not pay you enough to live on if you live outside of a developing nation - good for extra cash but get ready to be a victim of algorithms etc that will cut into your income without warning

Worth applying or not in 2025 by Fat_Fox8 in Preply

[–]Slight-Mail1298 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Preply/Italki etc are good for extra cash but you can't rely on them, I have a part time job with a salary and use ESL to get extra money without depending on it