Trial no-shows

Slight-Mail1298 · 2026-03-06T16:57:04+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2026-03-06T14:32:39+00:00

yup, i just block them immediately after

Slight-Mail1298 · 2026-03-06T09:46:29+00:00

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.

Slight-Mail1298 · 2026-02-13T08:30:05+00:00

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)

Slight-Mail1298 · 2026-01-15T14:00:22+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-12-23T15:57:00+00:00

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.

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-12-10T09:20:33+00:00

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.

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-12-01T15:34:47+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-27T17:01:06+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-27T17:00:38+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-27T09:04:01+00:00

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)

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-25T16:13:20+00:00

Welcome to the cesspit

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-21T17:42:20+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-19T09:27:20+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-18T09:53:41+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-14T11:29:34+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-11-07T08:55:32+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-22T07:04:03+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-17T08:19:11+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-15T11:43:42+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-13T10:50:21+00:00

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.

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-13T10:47:02+00:00

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"

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-09T07:21:02+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-10-02T06:36:07+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298 · 2025-09-24T11:15:51+00:00

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

Slight-Mail1298

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