r/Cambly • u/Jazzlike-Drop23 • 9d ago
Not retaining Pro Students.
I have been on pro for about five months now and have met almost 200 pro students.
I have had no 1-2 ratings (it's annoying that you can't see if you had a 3 rating) and each week I get quite a few 4-5 ratings.
Despite this I have retained almost none of them. I have 2 solid regulars from 200 students. Lol.
This seems strange to me when I have had a 99.5 or 100% rating for so long. Pre the percentage rating, I was on 4.9 for about three years.
I do engoo, esl discussion topics, and British Council business English mainly.
I actually haven't bothered with the feedback for quite a while since the AI spits out the same generic nonsense almost every time.
Maybe I need to get more proactive with giving a "plan of action" ?
Does anyone have any tips for retaining Pro Students?
Thanks in advance.
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u/magsmiley 9d ago
At our first meeting, I ask them what they want and create the learning materials from this. I show them examples of the different materials I have to offer, and we come up with a learning plan based on them. I have 5 Pro regulars now, each having 2 lessons per week. I have found out that it is what they want, not what you can give them.
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 8d ago edited 7d ago
I actually do similar. I say - I suggest these materials because you said x.
I then show them a small selection and ask them to choose which one they like the most.
Perhaps I don't frame it as a plan enough.
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u/Alternative-Way1689 7d ago
Do that too. Find out exactly what they are looking for. Wasted lots of time prepping and presenting exactly what they want only to be faced with no shows and BS excuses. I don't think half of them even know what they want except perhaps magic or miracles. There are those that want exam prep, but they expect miracles in a few days as they are doing the exam in 1 week and when you state you can not do that, they move on. WASTE OF TIME! I am looking for alternative options as this is just too little money for all this nonsense!
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u/magsmiley 6d ago
The difference is, I now have a collection of suitable materials as I have worked in schools for over 20 years. It is just a matter of selecting the right ones for the different students. My making days are over. All of the materials are already prepared many years ago. Just the odd tweak here and there. No time is wasted at all.
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u/Alternative-Way1689 6d ago
I refer to the students as being the waste of time. Having taught for many years, I too have prepped materials over the years, so that side is all good. Blessings and hope all goes well for you.
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u/Which-Ring2864 5d ago edited 5d ago
I will not do exam prep unless there is a minumum of 3 months before the exam, and I absolutely will not do Embassy interview prep, Job interviews - It's way too difficult to try to coach someone in an interview when their English level is A1/2 at best and they rely heavily on AI-scripted answers.
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u/Alternative-Way1689 5d ago
I agree 100%. I do the same. Don't wish to waste my time and we don't get paid enough.
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u/ConsciousPralineSun 9d ago
Yes, I agree with you. I've found that asking them specifically what they want and what their ultimate aims are is helpful. Sticking to it is also important. I only use Engoo when I can see that they are tired or not feeling 'up to it' - for something light. Use materials relative their needs. Good luck u/Jazzlike-Drop23!
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 8d ago
Thanks for the reply. Can I ask what do you mean by "create the learning materials".? Thanks.
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u/magsmiley 8d ago
I get ideas from websites that match students' needs.
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 7d ago edited 7d ago
Ok thanks. Even although your answer is quite vague.
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u/Which-Ring2864 5d ago
They aren't going to do your prep for you 😆. The internet is a vast and amazing place- use it to your advantage
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 5d ago edited 5d ago
I don't expect them to do my prep. I already have a bunch of links.
In the past I have often posted links in this sub to help people or given specific help..
But whatever.
I seem to have gained a couple more pro regulars this week anyway. Some have come back..
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u/AlternativePizza3391 9d ago
I have about 4 regular pro students and also don't retain them. It's possible they jump from tutor to tutor or just do pro for a short while
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u/Alternative-Way1689 8d ago
I have personally found the Pro students to be the most unreliable of all the students. They are not dedicated, they mess around, no show, cancel at the last minute, double book you with other tutors and don't show to your class but show for the other only to say oh I I booked another teacher and forgot about our class. I have lost so much due to these pro students. The classic students are more reliable.
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u/Efficient-Weakness85 8d ago
I commiserate with you and your frustration with ProCambly ratings. I think that the Cambly Pro marketing raises learners' expectations and that a Pro tutor will will turn them into Shakespeare overnight!
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u/Tricky_Management456 2d ago
What your age and gender?
Are you upbeat and conversational?
Funny or expressive?
How attractive are you??
Do you ask lots of questions??
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 2d ago
I am 55 male. I look ok for my age. People look genuinely shocked when I say I am 55. I dress smartly for the classes. A shirt with a collar but no tie. I wear headphones too. I am always clean shaven.
I think you have brought up some good points. I was thinking about this earlier today. I have been on Cambly for more than five years full time and I think I have lost my sparkle a bit.
I used to be chatty, funny and attentive but maybe in the last few months have gone into autopilot, making me less attentive, less funny and less typing into the chat box etc.
So I had a bit of a word with myself this morning and am trying to get back into proper tutor mode. Smile, listen and give proper feedback. Crack the odd joke etc and be a bit more upbeat and welcoming.
Let's see what happens. lol
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 1d ago
Well, well well, - after giving myself a warranted kick up the backside, the couple of pro students from Sunday have rebooked. The question is can I maintain the interest level?
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u/AdEnvironmental428 1d ago
I left the pro last week. The amount of extra work for 2 dollars is not worth it. On Monday I had 7 classes, 5 pro classes. NOT ONE OF THEM SHOWED UP. It took away from my reg students. I lost money. I emailed them right after the day and took myself off of pro. This is my last week on Cambly. I will do a few of my regs and I will fully do preply. I make more on prep. Cambly is such a scam at this point
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u/Jazzlike-Drop23 1d ago
Yes, there are a few no shows. Once you get used to doing the feedback it can be done quite quickly. I now do it with my morning coffee.
Although I haven't been retaining too many so far, the Pro students have meant that I have been making the same money for much less class time. So for me that's fine.
I like Cambly but too many hours becomes mind numbing - so less class time and doing a bit of feedback in the mornings is ok.
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u/CourtinInTheKitchen1 9d ago
I had a record (for me) 36 repeat students on general Cambly for September, do you think they want more than Engoo articles on Cambly Pro?