In a Nutshell
pros
- Refund on your first lesson if needed
- 24/7 chat support
- Group tuition available in English
cons
- Must purchase lesson package
- Limited community function
How much does Preply cost?
It’s free to join Preply and search for a tutor. Each Preply tutor sets their own price for lessons, which can vary according to their expertise and experience. This could be anywhere from $3/hour to over $100 for a very experienced teacher. This means you can find a tutor who fits with your budget and language learning needs. Your initial lesson is charged as a one-off, and after this point you will need to purchase a lesson package of multiple hours. There is a student discount of 15% if you register with your student email.
How does Preply work?
Preply lets you search for and connect with language tutors (usually native or expert speakers) from around the world. You can choose your tutor based on their profile and the price of their lessons. Students are asked to review their tutors, so you can also use this information to make a decision. Alternatively, you can post a request and get offers from tutors rather than searching the database yourself.
After your first lesson with a tutor, which must last an hour and be paid for in full, you can request your money back if you feel this tutor isn’t right for you. However, if the tutor is someone you want to work with further, you can book and pay for a lesson package (5,10,15, or 20 hours).
The majority of Preply lessons are 1:1, but group sessions are available if you’re learning English. These involve 4-6 learners and follow structured lesson plans. Preply lessons are usually held as online video calls, and you can do this via the Preply Classroom software or another video call platform of your choice. You can also search for tutors by location if you would like to pursue in-person tuition.
In addition, you can post a question on Preply to be answered by a tutor.
Is Preply reliable and safe?
Preply is highly rated by users on Trustpilot, where 76% of 4,057 reviews (as of November 2021) are “Excellent”. Students note that the site is easy to use and an engaging way to learn a language. 10% of reviews rate the site as “Bad”, citing unreliable tutors and some issues with payments. This is a minority of users, suggesting that Preply is for the most part a trustworthy platform.
What’s special about Preply?
Variety of tutors
Preply has thousands of tutors around the world to choose from. The site allows you to search and filter for someone who will suit your level, budget, and availability. You can also find someone who shares your mother tongue, is a native speaker in your target language, or is based in a particular location. This makes it easy to select someone who meets your needs.
Preply Classroom
Preply has its own video call software for hosting lessons. This can be used on a computer, mobile, or tablet. It includes a chat feature through which your tutor can send you feedback during the session, and that you can consult afterward.
Preply Placement Test
If you’re learning English, German, French, or Spanish, you can take a placement test to determine your current level of proficiency. This allows your tutor to create a tailored lesson plan for your first few sessions to make sure they’re addressing your needs.
Group tuition
If you’re learning English, you have the option of taking part in group tuition. This can add value to your learning over just doing 1:1 lessons because you can interact with other people and learn from their mistakes. It could also be less pressured than taking a 1:1 class. The Preply group sessions for English also follow a more structured curriculum: for example, if you’re looking to prepare for a job interview in English, you can book a session specifically on this topic.
Non-language tuition
If you’re looking to improve your skills in other subjects, including coding, law, mathematics, and philosophy, you can also book non-language tuition through Preply.
Mobile app
Preply has a mobile app for iOS and Android. You can use the app to find a tutor, as well as book and complete lessons on the go.
Help and Support
Preply has two helpful support centers with FAQs for both students and teachers, one hosted on Preply itself and another available when you seek support through its live chat service. You can also contact Preply by live chat 24/7, which is great if issues arise. Preply also has a blog covering various topics around language learning.
Bottom Line
Preply provides a really engaging way to learn a language. By connecting with a native or expert speaker for 1:1 or group online tuition, you can make fast progress in your target language. Preply’s platform makes it easy to search for and book a tutor that fits your budget and availability, and you can get a refund for your first lesson if the tutor isn’t the right fit.
Although you will need to pre-book a lesson package after this point, which can be risky, there are plenty of reasons to choose Preply. These include easy-to-use video classroom software, 24/7 support, and options for non-language tuition. It is certainly worth considering if you want to start a new language or improve your existing skills.
FAQs
Is Preply legit? Preply has good reviews from its users, with 76% rating it ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. With 24/7 support available, any issues can be quickly resolved, and you can seek a refund on your first session if needed.
How do you pay on Preply? Preply takes payments by Visa/Mastercard or by Paypal. You pay for your first lesson separately, and then will need to pre-pay for a lesson package of 5,10,15, or 20 hours.
Does Preply use Skype? Preply has its own video call platform (Preply Classroom) which is recommended for Preply sessions. However, if you have technical issues you can also connect with your tutor via Zoom or Skype.
