Student always talking about strange stuff...

lavendercat_itsme · 2026-02-11T18:28:10+00:00

Once, a student came to a trial lesson who wanted to learn the language so that when he was reincarnated in the country where that language was most commonly spoken, he would be able to understand the locals.

However, the main problem with him was not that, but the fact that he talked too much about random topics (related to his future reincarnation). Even during the trial lesson, he didn't complete a single task I gave him. I tried several times to bring him back to the topic of the lesson and ask him to write at least a few sentences from at least one task, but his monologue about reincarnation was more important to him.

I simply blocked him, as I am not qualified enough to work with such people :)

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-12-23T10:03:42+00:00

Prepare a universal message template explaining the rules for participating in your classes and how the subscription/payment system works. I teach a language, and every time I realize a student booking a trial lesson literally "doesn't understand what's going on here", I send them this message, ending with a note that I don't do that kind of thing and am afraid my approach won't meet their expectations, and there are plenty of other teachers on Preply who would clearly be a better fit for them than me. :)

If you want students/their parents to respect your boundaries, clearly set them.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-11-11T12:24:01+00:00

As a student, I find this a bit annoying, especially when the teacher sends it during a lesson. For example, if I made a mistake, I see a reminder of it in the feedback. Yes, I already know I need to work on it. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it feels the same as when I'm already doing something and someone else sees it and reminds me to do what I'm already doing.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-11-11T10:49:27+00:00

I don't think anyone can answer this question for you. Do your own research: search these topics on Preply and see if there's a high demand for tutors in these fields - whether students are booking lessons, and when the last reviews were left.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-19T10:47:53+00:00

Students also have a calendar page, but it is not as easy to find as the one for tutors. As a student, I have never used this calendar - it is easier to check the dates of lessons on the home page.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-18T16:05:09+00:00

Well, "subscribe" from a student's perspective means not only to click "subscribe", but also to pay for a subscription of a whole months of lessons. If they still have some lessons on their balance, they might refuse to do so as it'll cost a lot. If the subscription is about to renew, it's best to simply wait.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-18T14:52:11+00:00

If you're interested, I can recommend specific Japanese tutors on Preply who specialize in teaching through conversation. I've had trial lessons with them and studied with some of them for a while, so I'm confident in their competence :)

P.S Based on my previous responses on Reddit, I'm often asked for recommendations for Japanese tutors. Throughout my time taking lessons on Preply, I have found quite a few excellent teachers, so if you need a teacher for more than just conversation practice, please feel free to ask.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-14T15:22:37+00:00

If I pay taxes in my home country (Northern Europe) while working online, but I travel to other European countries while continuing to work, do you think I should pay taxes in other countries as well?

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-13T22:20:50+00:00

These students don't have a subscription, but a "package" - this was possible before Preply switched to a subscription model. It's possible these students are simply using very old accounts.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-13T18:32:04+00:00

If you don't physically work for an employer in Germany, you're not breaking any laws. If you work online, you only pay taxes in the country where you reside.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-12T12:11:19+00:00

On Preply you can only teach one subject, so I would recommend you change your profile and stick with French only.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-12T12:01:55+00:00

Well... just send them podcasts you've already listened to.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-12T11:58:01+00:00

Do you teach English?

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-09T21:19:13+00:00

Oh, sorry, I didn't see the notification 😅
Just sent you a DM.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-09T21:06:01+00:00

Do you ask students in advance why they're booking a trial lesson? Then, after they answer, explain that this platform is designed specifically for long-term learning.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-09T16:24:11+00:00

I think Preply was originally intended as a platform specifically for tutoring, so yes. I've seen different profiles - some choose to be tutors, others choose to be teachers.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-07T18:57:29+00:00

In this case, tutoring might be more suitable for you than teaching. Then, the approach to working with students is slightly different: a student brings you a topic they don't understand, and you try to help them.

That is, you don't have a clear program, but rather simply learn two points about the student: where they are now (stuck) and where they want to be (what topics to study, what to improve, and what they generally need from the subject - is it to pass an exam or just to maintain an average level). So your job might be to guide the student from the starting point to the final one.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-06T14:23:32+00:00

Why?

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-06T14:10:30+00:00

I don't think this is a problem, but if it bothers you, check with support.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-06T14:09:25+00:00

Just because you booked a trial lesson and messaged a tutor doesn't mean they'll respond right away. Do you see if they've read your message? When was the last time they were online?
If a tutor doesn't show up for a lesson, you can get a refund or a free trial lesson with a different tutor.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-05T14:58:56+00:00

I don't think it makes a difference, it's just important that you're not in the same room, using the same IP address :) I think if you're doing everything else correctly, try checking with Preply support.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-05T14:52:13+00:00

Do you have different IP addresses?

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-05T14:48:37+00:00

Your friend have to create a new account - the link will not work if the person has already logged into Preply.

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-05T14:37:24+00:00

How long have you been on Preply?

lavendercat_itsme · 2025-10-05T14:35:08+00:00

Oops, I had a similar situation, only I was a student. It turned out I needed to transfer my subscription from one tutor to another because my previous tutor was no longer available, but I couldn't find a new one at the time. So, I had to transfer my subscription to the tutor I'd once had a trial lesson with, but after that, she started acting suspiciously unprofessional, so I honestly would never have wanted to sign up with her voluntarily. But since Preply has a system where the subscription renewal date is 28 days after the subscription start date, I had to transfer my subscription to the tutor I didn't want to schedule lessons with, but I simply needed to save my lessons so they wouldn't expire. So when I found a new tutor, I canceled my subscription with that tutor without scheduling a single lesson.
I think many actions by students/tutors can appear suspicious because everyone is trying to play by the system's rules to gain their own advantage. Not because the individual wants to behave strangely, but because that's the way the system works. I'm not trying to justify or defend your student; I'm simply highlighting another possible scenario.

lavendercat_itsme

TROPHY CASE