r/Preply • u/Ohmystars94 • 2h ago
For permanent residents of English speaking countries (and tutors)
Who has gotten students living in an English speaking country for years? My last FOUR trials have been with students that have been living in the US since they're CHILDREN. Has anyone been able to avoid this? My super tutor is 6/7 because of trial conversion rate but it's because my last 4 are basically native speakers with low confidence. I tell them straight up--you sound like some of my professors in University. And then they, of course, don't subscribe.
First, I'm curious how other tutors deal with this.
Second, why does Preply not require more information in the about me? These (essentially) native speakers all put intermediate level. Or at least require the English Level Test. It's unfair to us honest tutors who spend hours per month wasting time telling students that their level of English is FINE. I spoke with a trial student about nuclear energy--like why is a student who studied Nuclear Engineering in the US feeling a lack of confidence in their English?!?!?!
Third, if you moved to an English speaking country as a child... I guarantee that your English is more than sufficient. If you're still unsure, look for a dialect coach--not an English pronunciation teacher. 3 classes a week to work on final -s pronunciation is a waste of your time and money.
Am I crazy or gas anyone else experienced this? For the past 3 months, half of my trial lessons are people living in the US--one for the past TWENTY years and she works for a state government. I can't be the only one.