Preply is an online marketplace for tutoring. It connects learners with tutors for one-on-one lessons in various subjects and languages. Founded in 2012, it offers a user-friendly platform for personalized learning.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is preply?
Preply is an online platform where you can find tutors for one-on-one lessons. It started in 2012 and has over 100,000 tutors teaching more than 90 languages and 120 subjects. While it began as a language learning site, it has grown to include subjects like math, science, and test prep. You can take lessons using Preply's video tools, which include a whiteboard, chat, and screen sharing.
How it works
You can browse tutors by subject and filter them by price and availability. Check out their video introductions and read reviews from other students. Book a trial lesson, often at a discount, to see if it’s a good fit. If you like it, you can subscribe for 1-5 lessons a week. Lessons take place on Preply’s video platform, and there are AI-powered exercises and summaries available between sessions. Preply also manages payments and scheduling.
Finding and vetting tutors
Preply makes sure tutors verify their identity with a government ID. Verified tutors get a blue badge. They can also upload education credentials for a green badge. Professional tutors have accredited teaching certificates. However, not all credentials can be confirmed, and background checks might not cover everything. If you have kids, watch tutor videos closely, read reviews, and try trial lessons. It’s smart to ask tutors about their experience with your child’s age group.
Pros and cons
Pros: Huge selection of tutors means you can find the right match. Flexible scheduling is available 24/7. Prices fit different budgets, and one-on-one lessons are personalized. It’s especially strong for language learning.
Cons: Too many choices can make it hard to decide. Subscription plans renew automatically, and unused credits might expire. Customer support is via email only, and tutor quality can vary. Some users find the cancellation process tricky.
The bottom line
Preply offers access to tutors all around the world, which is great for homeschoolers without local options or those learning uncommon languages. Since quality can vary, take the time to find the right tutor through trials and reviews. It’s a great choice for language learning and a solid option for other subjects too. Use the verification badges as starting points, but make sure to supervise minors during sessions.
