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Friday, July 18th
Launched in 2012, Preply is a platform meant to link you with tutors globally. Despite claiming that learners now benefit from AI-driven functionalities for interactive learning, the precise integration of AI into tutoring sessions remains unclear. Also, tutors on Preply create their own lessons. However, feedback hints that the tutors might not possess the level of qualification as promoted, like those promised to be "certified”.
Select the best tutor
To get started on Preply, you need to find yourself a tutor. You can search the different teacher profiles with Preply's filtering options. The criteria include things like price, nationality, and availability. Once you find a tutor you want to work with, you can check them out on their personal page and see how other students like you have rated their experiences. Most tutors will offer a trial class either free or at a reduced price to test if their teaching style will fit your needs.
May need to mix and match outside resources
Given Preply's lack of an in-house curriculum, you might need to supplement lessons with external resources. Advancement in Latin hinges on the personalized lessons crafted by tutors, so if you can't find a tutor you like, you're out of luck. Plus, every tutor works a little differently, so you won't know for sure what you're getting until you try a lesson. You'll likely need to use outside resources to supplement the lessons, making this a more expensive self-guided option than others in our review.
Expensive tutoring for only 50 minutes
At Preply, the pricing tends to be higher compared to other tutoring platforms. Most prices for Latin tutors range from $23 to $50 for sessions lasting 50 minutes each. Given the higher costs, this might not be the best option if you're wanting to commit to Latin lessons long-term. Most of the sessions are around $30 an hour. On top of the high costs, we have seen from reviews and online forums that Preply may be taking a significant portion of the proceeds with tutors earning a much lower portion than students are actually paying.
Refunds are not guaranteed
You can initiate a refund request through the platform's return policy. If you require a refund, you must make your request within 30 days of your payment. Preply will assess your request and decide whether to approve or reject it according to their criteria. The specific conditions for refund approval aren't specified on their website.
Concerning reviews on multiple platforms
Reports of experiences with Preply have been mixed across review platforms. We have some concerns regarding the platform's integrity due to complaints about underpaid tutors and questionable business practices. Ratings for Preply vary significantly across different sources, ranging from a favorable average rating of 4.4 stars on some blogs and websites to as low as 2.2 stars on others. Although Preply's own website displays all 5-star ratings, we're not sure how accurate that is. However, the most troubling feedback stems from customers and tutors on platforms like Trustpilot, where complaints about inadequate support for tutors and payment issues are increasingly common. Some reviews even deem the company a "scam".
Use caution with Preply
Although Preply offers helpful Latin tutoring, it might not be the most dependable standalone choice for Latin learning. Issues regarding tutoring quality, pricing, and customer satisfaction give us pause. Bottom line? Preply isn't going to deliver a great Latin learning experience.
The benefits of studying Latin extend far beyond the realm of academia, offering practical advantages in a variety of fields, including law, medicine, and science. Latin is often called the language of lawyers and doctors because many legal and medical terms derive from Latin roots.
By mastering Latin, you can gain a deeper understanding of these specialized fields and enhance your ability to communicate effectively in professional settings. Whether you're studying to become a lawyer, doctor, or scientist, knowledge of Latin can give you a competitive edge in your chosen field.
If you're captivated by the allure of ancient civilizations, the study of Latin could be an enriching journey into the past and a gateway to understanding the foundations of Western culture. Latin, the language of ancient Rome, holds a special place in history as the lingua franca of the Roman Empire and the medium through which many of the greatest works of literature, philosophy, and law were written.
By learning Latin, you, like many others, can unlock the secrets of this ancient language and gain insight into the minds of some of history's most influential thinkers and writers.
Along with its practical applications, studying Latin can also enrich your understanding of history and culture, particularly that of ancient Rome. Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, was once the epicenter of a vast and powerful civilization that shaped the course of Western history. By learning Latin, you can explore the writings of ancient Roman authors such as Cicero, Virgil, and Ovid, and gain insight into the values, beliefs, and customs of Roman society. Latin also provides a key to unlocking the mysteries of ancient inscriptions, manuscripts, and artifacts, allowing you to delve deeper into the past.
For those with a passion for travel and exploration, studying Latin can enhance your experience when you visit historical sites and monuments in Rome and other parts of the former Roman Empire. From the majestic ruins of the Colosseum and the Pantheon to the ancient streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Latin can help you navigate the rich tapestry of history that awaits you in Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean. By understanding Latin inscriptions and texts, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of these sites and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and stories of ancient Rome.
There are tons of online lessons and courses now for ancient languages like Latin. It can make it hard to decide where to go. If you're not sure where to start on your journey towards Latin language and culture, here are some factors to consider when choosing the best online option for lessons:
To help you dive into your new language, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top online options for Latin lessons available today. Whether you dream of exploring the ancient ruins of Rome, improving your understanding of the foundations of the language(s) you already speak, or simply immersing yourself in the beauty of Latin literature and poetry, we're here to support you every step of the way. Bonam fortunam (Good luck)!
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