I spent nearly twenty years traveling the world.
I wandered around a market where I couldn't read any of the signs, ate with families who didn't speak English, crashed a wedding, and coped with everything with just a smile, a few local phrases, and a willingness to look completely ridiculous while trying.
Traveling has taught me that people are usually nice if you try hard enough. but it also taught me Language remains the biggest barrier between being a tourist and making real connections with people.
Ironically, even though I have traveled to over 100 countries, I still only speak one language fluently.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve probably used every language learning app in the world. But like many of us, I never found a truly effective way to study.
Technology has made traveling easier than ever, and apps like Google Translate are enough to get us through it all. But I never found a real shortcut to learning a language. This is not because these apps are bad, but because language learning is ultimately about communicating with another person. Once I realized this, I stopped looking for the smartest app and started looking for real mentors.
Prepare is the one that connects you with One-on-one tutors in over 90 languages, Allows courses to be customized based on your goals, pace and learning style. I'm excited to announce that I've started learning Spanish with Zoe!
TLDR: View Prepare here
Choose your mentor
I chose Zoe for Spanish lessons (Her direct mentor profile is here), one thing I was immediately grateful for was that I wasn't simply assigned a random teacher.
Preply has 100,000 experienced tutorsyou can browse their profiles, watch introductory videos, read reviews and choose someone whose teaching style suits you before booking your first lesson.
How to find one of the 13,000 Spanish tutors who teach Spanish individually on the platform?
The Preply filter is awesomeand allows you to filter their database of tutors based on the language you want to learn, your price range for each lesson, your country of birth (i.e. you want to learn Spanish from someone from Spain, Argentina, Mexico, etc.).
You can filter based on your availability, their expertise (i.e. Spanish for beginners, conversational, Latin America, etc.), other languages they speak, you can view only native tutors in the language you are learning, sort tutors by popularity, reviews, best rating, or search by name or keyword.
A list of tutors pops up, and you can view their profiles to find the tutor that suits you; Tutor profile includes a video of the tutor introducing himselftheir reviews, their experience, how many students and courses they have taught, their resume, and their schedule so you can book a course. These videos are a great way to show off their energy!
I found Zoe, a Spanish tutor and translator listed as one of Preply's “Super Tutors,” and decided to book a trial lesson.
Booking a class is exactly the same as booking a Google Calendar call, it's as simple as clicking on the time you want from the chosen tutor's calendar.
meet zoe
Within minutes of meeting Zoe, things changed. No flashing notifications telling me I answered wrong, no streaks to protect. Just a conversation, from someone who truly felt like a friend to me.
She quickly identified what I already knew (which wasn't a lot!), where my confidence was missing, and where I actually needed improvement, and instead of following a generic lesson plan, she adapted everything to my situation.
This is probably the hardest thing to explain unless you have experienced application-based learning, and One-on-one lessons with real instructorsbut it makes a big difference when someone notices your progress.
Apps measure progress, but tutors notice progress, which is a completely different thing.
The language app tells you that you have completed Lesson 18, but the instructor notices that you did not hesitate before answering today.
App marks answer as wrong but tutor explains Why This is incorrect.
An app teaches everyone the exact same way; the tutor notices your repeated mistakes and adjusts the course around them.
I didn't realize I was ignoring the human feedback loop. final, Real progress happens when you don't learn alone.
We started our lesson with letters and sounds, and I discovered that I had been saying “paella” completely wrong for the past two weeks I had just spent in Spain!
Because the lessons are personalized, you don't waste time learning what you already know and can really help you communicate better in the specific areas you need.
I would say that while Zoe was perfect for me, the best mentors are different for everyone, so I recommend taking the time to evaluate your own goals, and Really use the Preply filter.
Your tutor plans each lesson based on your level, goals and your preferred learning style. This means less time spent on things you already know and more time on things that will actually help you improve.
Whether you're preparing for something specific or just studying on your own, your study plan is completely personal, so it's important to take the time to choose a tutor.
Human-led learning, powered by intelligent artificial intelligence
With Preply, you learn with the people next to you; even if learning gets a little challenging, a tutor will listen and keep you going. And, as your mentor gets to know you, your strengths, and what’s holding you back, the relationship gets better.
Technology enhances this relationship and I'm impressed with how Preply uses artificial intelligence to enhance human-led learning. Courses are completed in an in-house virtual classroom with features such as chat, vocabulary lists, a library with files, notes, and a voice assistant.
You can choose to practice between classes daily practice Which Transform your previous lesson content into short, personalized practice tasks. Based on what you teach the instructor, the AI generates mini exercises.
Scenario practice Preply also has this feature, using AI to simulate real-life situations, such as work meetings, travel conversations, or presentations. Course Insights provides feedback via: AI-powered lesson summaries that include personalized grammar and vocabulary feedback, pronunciation and speaking metrics, and key corrections and examples.
Having a built-in online classroom allows you to continue learning no matter where you are, so I appreciate how easy it is to incorporate the lessons into your daily life. But it does require commitment, and you have to actually show up.
Unlike downloading another app you'll give up on after two weeks, Booking regular classes creates a sense of responsibility, That’s actually one of the biggest benefits for me. Knowing that Zoe is waiting for me each week means I don't quietly put off studying until “next Monday.”
Pricing
One thing I appreciate is Tutors set their own pricesso there is no one-size-fits-all cost. Before booking a paid trial class, you can compare tutors based on their experience, teaching style, and hourly rates to make sure they're a good fit.
Once you find someone you enjoy studying with, Course transfer to subscription Updated every 28 days. You can choose how many lessons you want each week, and if life gets busy, you can reschedule, pause your subscription or even change tutors.
Prepare for final judgment
Preply is available on the app (iOS system and Android) or their website https://preply.com/ (Available in 18 languages)
It is particularly suitable for:
- beginner Anyone looking to gain clear structure, guidance and confidence from their first class.
- Intermediate and advanced learners Focus on improving oral fluency and real-world communication.
- professionals Learn a language for work, career development or relocation.
- Learners preparing for examsinterview or speechtargeted feedback is important.
- busy learner They need flexible schedules and a pace that suits their lives.
- People who learn best through conversationsfeedback, and a personal connection with a mentor who understands their goals.
If your goal is actually to speak another language, I think Preply is a good choice.
I love that you can study with the same instructor over time, and that you can change the solo study into a real conversation. I also like that regular classes mean more accountability as I really need to stay motivated and Responsible! I found that I was more likely to be consistent with my mentor (and consistency is what leads to improvement).
I can confidently say that studying with another person makes a huge difference, and for the first time in years I actually feel like I'm making progress rather than simply gathering vocabulary (an important distinction).
Technology still has a place in my life and I definitely still use translation apps when traveling. I'll probably still keep up the occasional Duolingo streak, because let's be honest, those little green owls are weirdly persuasive.
But if my goal is to one day sit around a dinner table in Barcelona and chat naturally without having to mentally translate every sentence, I need to learn this from another person.
i have realized Progress doesn't happen aloneit happens through conversation, encouragement, as the other person notices your mistakes, celebrates your progress and gently moves you forward.
Start learning a language at https://preply.com/
If you want to jump straight to a Spanish tutor, Spanish tutor page is here.
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