Introduction to Preply: Your Guide to Learning Success
Welcome to Preply! You’ve taken a fantastic step towards achieving your learning goals. However, signing up is just the beginning. To make real progress, you need a clear and effective strategy. This guide is designed specifically for Preply learners like you who are ready to succeed.
Throughout this guide, we’ll walk you through everything — from finding the perfect tutor to mastering your self-study routine. By following these steps, you’ll transform from a passive student into an active, efficient learner.
1. Finding Your Perfect Tutor: The Foundation of Your Success
Your tutor is your partner in learning, so this first step is crucial. Therefore, don’t rush it. A great tutor-student match is the single most important factor for success. In fact, for all Preply learners, taking the time to find the right fit will pay off in every single lesson.
To begin, use the Filters: Start by filtering tutors by price, availability, and specialty (e.g., IELTS preparation, conversational practice, business English). You can even filter by the tutor’s country of origin if you want to learn a specific accent.
Next, watch the Intro Videos: A tutor’s video is your first real glimpse into their personality and teaching style. Do they seem friendly? Patient? Energetic? Their video gives you a feel for what a lesson with them would be like.
Then, read Reviews and Stats: Check their star rating, number of lessons taught, and what other Preply learners have said about them. This way, you gain invaluable social proof and insight.
2. Nailing the Trial Lesson: How to Know if a Tutor is Right for You
The trial lesson is your interview with a potential tutor. Its main purpose is to see if their methods align with your learning style. So, go into it with a clear plan.
Start by discussing your goals: Be specific. Instead of saying “I want to learn Spanish,” say “I need to learn Spanish for a business trip in three months, focusing on restaurant and travel vocabulary.”
Also, assess their teaching style: Does the tutor correct your mistakes immediately or let the conversation flow? Do they use a whiteboard or share materials? There’s no right or wrong style, only what works best for you.
Most importantly, check for chemistry: Learning should be enjoyable. Do you feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes with this person? A good rapport is essential for long-term learning.
3. Setting SMART Goals for Your Language Journey
You can’t hit a target you can’t see. As a result, vague goals lead to vague results. The most successful Preply learners set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).
- Specific: “I want to improve my conversational German.”
- Measurable: “I want to hold a 10-minute conversation in German without relying on a translator.”
- Achievable: Set realistic goals. You won’t become fluent in two weeks, but you can master basic introductions.
- Relevant: Your goal should align with your overall reason for learning.
- Time-bound: “I will achieve this goal in 8 weeks.”
Your SMART goal: “In 8 weeks, I will be able to hold a 10-minute conversational German dialogue about my work and hobbies.”
4. Preparing for Each Lesson to Maximize Learning
Your learning will accelerate if you arrive at each lesson prepared. Even just 10–15 minutes of prep can double the value of your session.
First, review previous notes: Quickly read through your notes and vocabulary from the last lesson. This reinforces what you’ve learned.
Second, prepare questions: Did you encounter a word you didn’t understand during the week? Did you struggle with a specific grammar point? Write down your questions to ask your tutor.
Finally, think about topics: Have a few topics in mind that you’d like to discuss. This ensures you never waste time thinking of what to talk about.
5. Mastering the Preply Platform: Tools You Can’t Ignore
Preply is more than just a video-calling service. In fact, the platform has built-in tools designed to help learners succeed.
- Preply Classroom & Whiteboard: Your tutor can use the interactive whiteboard to write down new words, draw diagrams, and explain concepts visually.
- Vocabulary Tool: After your lesson, you can find the new words your tutor added in the “Vocabulary” section. You can then use this as a digital flashcard deck to practice.
- Notes & Chat: The chat and notes features are saved, so you can always go back and review corrections or resources your tutor shared.
6. Your Role During the Lesson: From Passive Student to Active Learner
To truly learn, you must participate. Don’t just listen—engage.
- Ask questions: If you don’t understand something, ask immediately. That’s what you’re paying for!
- Speak as much as possible: Your lesson is your safe space to practice. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Every error is a learning opportunity.
- Take notes: Write down new vocabulary, grammar rules, and corrections. The physical act of writing helps you remember.
7. The Power of Feedback: How to Give It and How to Use It
Feedback is a two-way street. After a few lessons, leave an honest review for your tutor—this helps them improve and helps other students.
More importantly, be open to the feedback your tutor gives you. Listen to their corrections and actively work on improving your weak spots. If needed, let them know whether you want more or less correction.
8. Beyond the Classroom: Homework, Self-Study, and Immersion
What you do between lessons is just as important as the lesson itself. That’s why successful Preply learners build routines outside the classroom.
- Do the homework: If your tutor assigns homework, do it. It’s designed to solidify what you learned in class.
- Practice daily: Use language apps like Duolingo or Memrise for 10–15 minutes each day.
- Immerse yourself: Change your phone’s language, watch movies in your target language with subtitles, or listen to music. Surround yourself with the language.
9. Overcoming Common Hurdles: Staying Motivated on Your Path to Fluency
Every language learner hits a plateau. Eventually, you might feel like you’re not making progress. This is normal.
- Track your progress: Look back at your notes from your first lesson. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ve learned.
- Mix it up: If you’re tired of grammar drills, ask your tutor to do a purely conversational lesson, play a game, or read an article together.
- Remember your “why”: Why did you start this journey? Keeping your ultimate goal in mind is the best motivation.
10. Managing Your Subscription and Schedule Like a Pro
Understanding the practical side of Preply ensures a smooth, stress-free experience.
- Understand the subscription: Preply works on a subscription model where you buy a set number of hours per month. Unused hours can roll over if you have an active subscription.
- Schedule lessons in advance: Book your preferred time slots to secure your spot with a popular tutor.
- Reschedule with courtesy: If you need to cancel or reschedule, do it at least 12 hours in advance through the platform to avoid being charged.
Your Journey to Success
Becoming a confident and skilled language speaker is a marathon, not a sprint. By using these strategies, you are setting yourself up for success. The community of Preply learners is full of people who have achieved their goals, and you can too.
So, choose your tutor wisely, prepare for your lessons, be an active participant, and practice consistently.
Now go, and make the most of your learning journey!
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