In today’s globalized world, online education has opened doors for teachers from around the world to connect with students across different continents. Preply, a popular online learning platform, allows tutors to teach various subjects, including languages, science, math, and arts, to students worldwide. For Nigerian teachers, Preply offers a lucrative opportunity to earn from the comfort of their homes while gaining international teaching experience.
This guide will walk you through the steps to set up an account on Preply, optimize your profile, and maximize your earnings.
Getting Started with Preply
Create Your Tutor Profile
- Visit Preply’s Website: Head to Preply and select “Become a Tutor” to start the registration process.
- Sign Up: You’ll need an active email address or a Google or Facebook account to sign up. Provide the requested information, including your name, language of instruction, and teaching experience.
- Choose Subjects to Teach: Preply allows tutors to select multiple subjects. Choose subjects where you have expertise and feel comfortable teaching, such as English, Math, Science, or any other skills you specialize in.
- Verification: Preply will send a verification link to your email. Click on the link to verify your account and proceed to the next steps.
Set Your Rates
Preply allows tutors to set their hourly rate. Nigerian tutors can expect to earn anywhere from $5 to $20 (approx. 7,000 to 15,000 Naira) per hour based on their experience, subject demand, and student reviews. Start with a reasonable rate, and as you gain positive feedback and experience, you can gradually increase it.
Crafting an Attractive Profile
Your Preply profile is the first impression potential students get, so it’s essential to make it as professional and appealing as possible.
Profile Picture
A clear, professional photo can make a difference. A friendly, smiling headshot taken against a plain background is recommended. Ensure the picture is well-lit and presents you as approachable.
Write a Compelling Description
Describe your background, teaching style, qualifications, and what students can expect from your lessons. Highlight any special teaching techniques you use, your patience with beginners, or your ability to make complex topics simpler. Here’s a sample:
“Hello! I’m [Your Name], an experienced English tutor from Nigeria with over 3 years of experience teaching students of all ages. I focus on interactive and engaging lessons that adapt to each student’s needs. Whether you’re looking to improve your grammar, fluency, or conversational skills, I’m here to help!”
Upload a Video Introduction
A video introduction can increase your profile’s chances of getting noticed. In this short video, introduce yourself, explain why you’re passionate about teaching, and what makes your lessons unique. Speak clearly, look into the camera, and keep it under two minutes.
Highlight Your Qualifications and Skills
List your educational background, any certifications you hold, and notable achievements. If you have experience teaching online, mention it, as it shows you’re familiar with virtual teaching tools and methods.
Setting Availability and Managing Bookings
After setting up your profile, configure your availability calendar. Choose time slots that work best for you, and keep in mind time zones if teaching students abroad. Nigerian tutors often find evenings or weekends ideal since these can align with morning or afternoon hours in Europe or North America.
Preply provides tools to manage your schedule, so be consistent and stick to your availability. This consistency builds trust with students and helps secure regular bookings.
Preparing for Lessons
Online teaching requires some preparation to ensure classes run smoothly. Here are some tips to get ready:
Gather the Right Equipment
Ensure you have:
- A laptop or computer with a webcam
- A stable internet connection (5 Mbps minimum)
- A headset or microphone for clear audio
Choose Your Teaching Space
Set up a quiet, distraction-free area with good lighting. A simple, uncluttered background is ideal, as it minimizes distractions for your students.
Prepare Lesson Materials
Develop lesson plans in advance based on the subject and level of the student. Preply offers some teaching resources, but creating custom materials will help you stand out. For instance, if you’re teaching English grammar, prepare a mix of exercises, examples, and real-life applications.
Optimizing for Success on Preply
Encourage Reviews
Positive reviews can significantly impact your profile’s visibility and trustworthiness. After a successful session, politely ask students to leave feedback. High ratings make your profile more appealing to prospective students and can lead to consistent bookings.
Offer Trial Lessons
Preply allows new students to book trial lessons. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your teaching style and build rapport with potential long-term students. Offer a high-quality experience during trial sessions to increase the likelihood of students booking additional lessons.
Track Your Performance
Preply’s analytics tools provide data on your profile’s performance, including views, lesson bookings, and student retention. Review these statistics regularly to identify areas for improvement. For example, if students don’t book after viewing your profile, you may want to adjust your rates or update your profile description.
Maximizing Earnings on Preply
Preply charges a service fee based on the number of hours you’ve taught. As you complete more hours, the commission rate decreases, increasing your earnings per lesson.
Build a Student Base
Once you establish regular students, your earnings become more stable. Treat each lesson as an opportunity to build long-term relationships. Be punctual, deliver quality lessons, and personalize each session to meet students’ needs.
Increase Rates Gradually
After you accumulate positive reviews and a steady stream of bookings, consider increasing your hourly rate. Start with small increments to avoid losing students. Higher rates are often justifiable with strong reviews and demand, so provide quality lessons to reach that point.
Offer Specialized Courses
Specialized courses can command higher rates. Consider offering unique courses like “English for Business,” “Conversational Spanish,” or “Advanced Calculus.” Tailoring courses to specific needs allows you to charge premium rates, attracting students looking for specialized instruction.
Optimize Time and Student Retention
Managing multiple regular students helps maximize earnings. To retain students, offer them customized lesson plans that show measurable progress over time. For example, if you teach math, create a syllabus that tracks improvements with each lesson.
Navigating Preply’s Payment System
Preply’s payment system allows tutors to withdraw earnings through various methods such as Payoneer, Wise, or PayPal. Ensure you have an account on one of these platforms to facilitate payments. Keep in mind that while Preply charges a commission, consistent teaching can lead to substantial earnings.
Additional Tips for Success on Preply
Stay Flexible and Adaptable
Different students have different learning styles, so adapt your approach. Some may prefer detailed explanations, while others thrive on hands-on exercises. Observing these preferences and adjusting your teaching style can enhance learning outcomes.
Invest in Continuous Learning
Stay updated on teaching methods and digital tools to offer more engaging lessons. Familiarize yourself with video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet, which can enhance the virtual teaching experience.
Leverage Social Media for Additional Exposure
Promote your Preply profile on social media platforms to attract more students. Share testimonials, highlight your expertise, and offer limited-time discounts to generate interest.
Conclusion
Preply offers Nigerian teachers a gateway to the global teaching landscape. By setting up a compelling profile, maintaining a consistent schedule, and delivering quality lessons, Nigerian teachers can build a profitable and sustainable income stream. With the potential to earn around 15,000 Naira per hour, dedicated tutors can reach monthly earnings close to 900,000 Naira or even more.
With a commitment to continuous improvement, building positive relationships with students, and smart management of time and rates, Nigerian teachers can succeed on Preply and turn their skills into a profitable online teaching career.
