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If you’ve ever opened Preply, seen 100+ tutors, and thought, “Okay… how do I not mess this up?” — you’re not alone.
Most articles explain Preply like a brochure. What they don’t explain is the part that actually matters in real life:
- how booking really works (time zones + tutor rules)
- what a “trial” is and isn’t
- how to avoid losing money on late cancellations
- the fastest way to find a tutor you’ll actually stick with
Let’s make it simple and practical.
What is Preply, and what does it actually do?
Answer capsule: Preply matches you with tutors for 1:1 lessons, then runs scheduling + video lessons + payments in one dashboard.
Preply is a tutoring marketplace. Tutors set their own:
- price per lesson
- availability
- lesson rules (like how early you must book)
You choose a tutor, book a trial, then continue with regular lessons (usually via a subscription or package, depending on your region and settings).
How do you book a lesson on Preply?
Answer capsule: Pick a tutor → choose a time in your time zone → pay → the lesson appears in your calendar and runs inside Preply’s classroom.
Step-by-step booking (beginner-safe)
- Open a tutor profile.
- Click Book a trial lesson.
- Choose 25 or 50 minutes (if offered).
- Pick a time slot (Preply shows it in your time zone).
- Select your goal (speaking, exam prep, business, etc.).
- Pay securely (often card or Apple Pay where available).
- You’ll join the lesson inside Preply’s video classroom.
The gap most blogs miss: tutors control booking rules
Tutors can set advance notice (example: you may need to book 12–48 hours ahead). If you need a lesson today, filter by availability and look for tutors with open slots.
What happens in a Preply trial lesson?
Answer capsule: A trial is a paid first session to test fit—level check, goals, teaching style, and a plan before you commit long-term.
A good trial lesson usually includes:
- quick intro + expectations
- your level assessment
- a mini-lesson (speaking, grammar, writing, etc.)
- a learning plan + next steps
Pro move (fastest results)
Book 2 trials with 2 different tutors in the same week. You’ll instantly feel who matches your pace and personality.
What are the refund and cancellation rules in 2026?
Answer capsule: Cancel/reschedule before the cutoff for free; late cancels can charge full price; missed lessons may auto-confirm after a waiting period.
Here’s what matters in real life:
1) Free cancellation window
Preply typically allows free cancel/reschedule up to 12 hours before the lesson. After that, the system may charge the lesson as completed.
2) Missed lesson behavior
If a lesson is missed, it can be auto-confirmed later (often after a waiting period) unless you report an issue through the proper flow.
3) Trial satisfaction guarantee
Many users rely on Preply’s trial satisfaction policy (the “replace tutor” guarantee). This is exactly why trials are worth using strategically.
Beginner rule: If you’re unsure you can attend, do not book close to the cutoff time. Book earlier, or choose a different day.
What’s the fastest way to get a great tutor (without wasting money)?
Answer capsule: Filter hard, shortlist 5, book 2–3 trials fast, then commit to a weekly schedule with one tutor for 3–4 weeks.
This is the exact “fast path” that avoids 90% of regret.
Step 1: Filter like you mean it
Use filters for:
- Availability (must match your actual schedule)
- Price range (what you can sustain monthly)
- Speaks your language (optional but helpful early)
- 4.8+ rating + lots of lessons (a strong signal)
Step 2: Watch the intro video (don’t skip)
You’re not just buying “knowledge.” You’re buying:
- clarity
- patience
- speaking confidence
- consistency
Video tells you that in 15 seconds.
Step 3: Book 2 trials back-to-back
Treat it like hiring:
- Tutor A: conversational + confidence building
- Tutor B: structured + correction-focused
Pick the one you’d still enjoy after a long day.
Step 4: Lock a repeating schedule
The real results come from consistency:
- 2 lessons/week for speaking improvement
- 3–4 lessons/week for exam timelines
Preply “best-value” learning strategy (simple plan)
Answer capsule: Choose a tutor you can afford weekly, then run a 4-week sprint with clear goals and tracking—this beats random lessons.
4-week plan that works for most people
- Week 1: 2 trials → choose 1 tutor
- Week 2: 2 lessons (speaking + corrections)
- Week 3: 2 lessons + homework habit (10 min/day)
- Week 4: review progress + adjust goals
Tracking tip: keep one note after every lesson:
- what you learned
- what you struggled with
- what you want next time
That alone speeds up improvement.
Should you use Preply or book direct?
Answer capsule: Use Preply when you want fast options and platform safety; book direct only after you trust the tutor and prefer off-platform scheduling.
Preply is best when you want:
- lots of tutor choices
- fast scheduling
- one dashboard for payments + lessons
Direct booking can be better later, after you’ve verified:
- reliability
- teaching fit
- consistent availability
FAQ
Is Preply free to use?
No—booking lessons (including trials) is paid. You can browse tutors for free.
Are Preply trial lessons refundable?
Trials are paid, but Preply offers a satisfaction option that can allow switching to another tutor.
What’s the cancellation rule in 2026?
Commonly, you can cancel/reschedule free up to 12 hours before the lesson; late changes may be charged.
How do I get a great tutor quickly?
Shortlist 5 → book 2 trials in one week → choose 1 tutor → repeat schedule weekly for 4 weeks.
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