FAQs for tutors

Lernst is a platform connecting tutors and students from around the world. We provide a space where tutors can teach their expertise in languages and other subjects, set their own schedules, and earn income on their terms. Our mission is to make quality education accessible and flexible for both tutors and students.

We welcome applications from individuals who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Fluent in one of the languages we offer.

• Hold a degree in linguistics or a teaching certificate in any language.

Additionally, applicants must have:

• Strong communication skills.

• Familiarity or experience in online teaching.

We accept applicants of all nationalities who are 21 years or older and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

If you meet these requirements and are passionate about teaching, we encourage you to apply!

1. Go to our platform and click on "Sign Up."

2. Choose the tutor option during registration.

3. Provide your name, email, and create a password.

4. Upload the Required Documents:

   • Introductory video

   • Valid ID

   • Resume

   • Relevant certificates

Once you’ve applied and been accepted, follow these steps to complete your profile:

1. Sign In: Log in to your account.
   
   

2. Access Your Profile: click on “Edit Profile.”
   
   

3. Fill Out Your Profile: Ensure you complete the following fields:
   
   

   • First name and phone number.

   • Languages you speak.

   • Upload an intro video that will appear on your profile page.

   • Set the hourly rate in Egyptian pounds (EGP).

   • Write a brief bio about yourself, your preferred teaching levels.

   • Add details about your education, work experience, and certifications.

4. Set languages:
   
   

   • Add the languages you teach.

   • Specify your specialties for each language (e.g., Business English, grammar, conversation).

5. Add Payment Details:
   
   

   • Go to the payment section and add your payment method (bank account or digital wallet) to receive payments.

Once your profile is complete, students will be able to view it, and you can set your availability or create group classes at any time based on your schedule.

Thank you for joining us.

An introduction video helps students get to know you before booking lessons. Here’s how to make a great first impression:

• Duration: Aim for 1-2 minutes.

• Content:

  • Start by introducing yourself: “Hi, I’m [Your Name] from [Your Location].”

  • Briefly describe your teaching background and what students can expect from your lessons.

  • Mention any specialties or unique methods you use to help students learn.

  • Conclude with a warm, inviting message encouraging students to book a session with you.

• Technical Guidelines:

  • Setting: Find a quiet space.

  • Video Quality: Use a high-quality camera if possible, and ensure clear audio.

  • Attire: Dress well to reflect your role as an instructor.

Please upload your video to your profile under “Video Introduction.”

1. Click on "Set Language."

2. Click "Add" and choose the language you want to teach.

3. Click "Submit."

Once you’ve added a language, you'll see "List Specialties." Click on it to open the "Specialties" section.

4. Click "Add" under Specialties.

5. Select the areas you specialize in (e.g., if you chose English, you can add Conversation, Business English, Test Preparation, Vocabulary Building, etc.).

6. Click "Submit."

That’s it! Your language and specialties are now set.

Once your profile is live, set up your availability so students know when they can book with you. 

You can set your availability in two ways: using Add availability or Calendar View.

Method 1: Add availability 

Click on "Add availability ".

1. Select the "Add New Recurring" option.

2. Set Time Range:

   • Choose your Start Time and End Time (e.g., 10 AM to 5 PM).

3. Choose Days of the Week:

   • Select the days you're available (e.g., Monday to Friday).

4. Set Date Range:

   • Choose a Start Date and End Date (e.g., December 1 to December 30).

5. Submit:

   • Click "Submit" to save your availability.

Method 2: Calendar View

1. Go to Calendar View

   • Scroll down to see the weekly calendar with time slots.

2. Select a Time Slot

   • Click on your desired day.

   • Click and drag from the start time (e.g., 6:00 PM) to the end time (e.g., 6:30 PM).

     1. Tip: The calendar uses 10-minute intervals—align with exact times (6:00 PM, not 6:10 PM).

3. Adjust or Delete

   • Drag the slot to move it.

   • Click on a slot to delete it.

4. Repeat for Other Days

   • Add more slots as needed.

Follow these steps to create and publish a group class:

1. Log in to Your Account
   
   

   • Use your tutor credentials to log in to the platform.

2. Access the Group Classes Section
   
   

   • Option 1: Click on “My Group Classes” in the sidebar then locate the Add button to create a new class.

   • Option 2: On your dashboard, click “Create Group Class” from the dashboard cards.

3. Fill in Class Details
   
   

   • Class Title: Enter a descriptive name for your class.

   • Target Age Choose a specific or close age range. 

   • Level: Choose a skill level (you can select multiple levels).

   • Language and Speciality: Specify the language (e.g., English) and specialty (e.g., Conversation).

   • Number of Students: Set the maximum number of students for this class.

4. Set the Price
   
   

   • For single-slot classes, enter the price for one session.

   • For multi-slot classes, set the total price covering all sessions.

5. Upload Visuals and Materials
   
   

   • Class Picture: Upload an image to represent your class.

   • Materials: Add any relevant resources or materials for the students.

6. Add Time Slots
   
   

   • For single-slot classes: Create one session by selecting the date and time on the calendar.

   • For multi-slot classes: Create multiple sessions, specifying dates and times for each slot.

7. Describe Your Class
   
   

   • In the Description field, explain what students will learn.

   • For multi-slot classes, list each session's topic and the corresponding date.

8. Save and Publish
   
   

   • Review all details and click Save to publish your group class.

      9.   Share Your Class

• Use the shareable link to promote your class to potential students.

Step 1: Log in to your account and go to your dashboard.
Step 2: Click on "Edit Profile" and scroll down to the "Hourly Rate" section.
Step 3: Enter a competitive and fair rate in Egyptian Pounds (EGP).

•  Example with Platform Commission (30%)

• If you set your rate at 200 EGP/hour, the platform deducts 30% (60 EGP).

• You earn: 140 EGP/hour after commission.

Want to Earn a Specific Amount? Adjust Your Rate!

• If you want to take home 200 EGP/hour, set your rate higher to cover the 30% fee:

  • 200 EGP (desired earnings) ÷ 0.7 ≈ 286 EGP

  • List 286 EGP/hour → You earn 200 EGP after commission.

Tip: We recommend starting with a lower rate and increasing it as you gain more experience and build your student base.

Lernst is a freelancing opportunity. You can work as much or as little as you want.

Our platform primarily caters to adults and professionals seeking to learn new languages or enhance their skills.

Tutors can offer both one-on-one and group classes on the platform.

You are encouraged to use your own teaching materials, as this allows you to better meet your students' needs and foster more engaging conversations. The platform is flexible and supports a personalized approach to teaching. However, Lernst also provides its own materials, which you can use if you prefer.

No, sharing personal information with students is strictly prohibited. All communication must occur through the platform. Failure to comply may result in suspension from the platform.

You can teach the following languages:

• English

• Arabic

• Quran

• German

• Spanish

• French

• Italian

• Chinese

• Korean

• Japanese

• Russian

• Turkish

Yes, you can teach multiple languages or subjects based on your expertise.

No, it’s completely free. We want you to focus on delivering high-quality education and earning profits.

We promote the platform using Google Ads, social media campaigns, and organic traffic to attract students globally.

No, communicating with students outside the platform is strictly prohibited and may result in suspension. This policy ensures the privacy and security of both tutors and students, maintaining a safe and professional environment for everyone.

On our platform, tutors set their own hourly rate based on what they feel is fair and competitive. We recommend starting with a lower rate and increasing it as you gain more experience and build your student base.

The platform takes a commission based on the number of hours you teach:

• 0–50 hours: 30% commission

• 51–200 hours: 25% commission

• 201–400 hours: 22% commission

• 400+ hours: 18% commission

Your earnings are calculated as:
Hourly rate - (Hourly rate × Commission)

Examples:

1. New Tutor (0–50 hours):

   • Hourly rate: 200 EGP

   • Commission: 30%

   • Earnings per hour: 200 - (200 × 30%) = 140 EGP

2. Experienced Tutor (51–200 hours):

   • Hourly rate: 200 EGP

   • Commission: 25%

   • Earnings per hour: 200 - (200 × 25%) = 150 EGP

3. Highly Experienced Tutor (201–400 hours):

   • Hourly rate: 200 EGP

   • Commission: 22%

   • Earnings per hour: 200 - (200 × 22%) = 156 EGP

4. Expert Tutor (400+ hours):

   • Hourly rate: 200 EGP

   • Commission: 18%

   • Earnings per hour: 200 - (200 × 18%) = 164 EGP

The commission supports:

• Platform development

• Marketing to attract students

• Tutor training resources

• Security and operational costs

• Covering discounts on packages and trial lessons – students can receive up to a 15% discount while tutors are paid their full hourly rate. For trial lessons, students may get up to a 50% discount, but tutors still receive full payment.

1. Go to the Payment section on your dashboard.

2. Make sure you have added your bank account or digital wallet details.

3. Go to the Payout section and request a payout.

4. The admin will review your request and process the payment.

5. Payments are made weekly.

Payouts are processed within three business days of your request.
- Delays may occur on weekends/holidays.

Your earnings are based on your hourly rate minus the platform commission. The platform absorbs the cost of student discounts, so your earnings are not affected by these discounts.

• For packages and regular lessons, we offer discounts of up to 15%.

• For trial lessons, we offer discounts of up to 50%.

The platform commission helps cover these discounts, as well as platform marketing and development costs. Simply set your hourly rate, and we’ll handle the rest!

Yes, you can create and share coupons with your students to offer discounts on your packages or group classes. Here’s how:

1. Go to your dashboard and click on Coupons Manager.

2. Click Add Coupon and fill out the details:

   • Coupon Name: Give your coupon a name.

   • Discount Type: Choose between a percentage or fixed amount.

   • Discount Value: Enter the discount percentage or amount.

   • Coupon Code: Create a unique code for the coupon.

   • Applicable Services: Select if the coupon applies to group classes, packages, or both.

   • Usage Limits: Set how many times the coupon can be used.

   • Start and Expire Date: Define the coupon’s validity period.

   • Status: Set the coupon to “Active” and save.

3. Share the coupon:

   • You can display it on your profile or share it privately with your students.

Note: The coupon discount will be deducted from your earnings. Your final earnings will be calculated as:
Your Hourly Rate minus Platform Commission minus Coupon Discount.

No, there are no taxes deducted from your earnings.

• 1. Egyptian Tutors: Payments are made in Egyptian Pounds (EGP).

  2. Foreign Tutors: Payments are made in U.S. Dollars (USD), as it is the only available option to pay tutors outside Egypt.
     Note: Students pay in EGP as the platform’s default currency is Egyptian Pounds.

If a student cancels within two hours of the scheduled lesson time (last-minute cancellation) or doesn’t show up, you will be paid for the first 10 minutes of the lesson. Cancellations made earlier than two hours before the lesson will not be compensated.

Your dashboard has sections for tracking:

• • Upcoming, completed, and canceled appointments

  • Earnings and payout requests

No. Set your availability based on your preferences or coordinate with students as needed.

Yes, you can block out specific dates for holidays or personal reasons. Here’s how:

1. Go to your Dashboard.

2. Click on Set Availability.

3. Look for the option called Add Blocked Times and click on it.

4. Click on New Blocked Time.

5. Set the start time and end time for the period you want to block. This can be a one-time block or recurring.

6. Choose the days of the week you want to block (if recurring).

7. Set the start date and end date for the blocked period.

 Important note for current day (today): set start = yesterday, end = today (Example: if you want to block slots on April 12, set the start date to April 11 and the end date to April 12.

8. Click Submit to save your changes.

This will ensure your availability is updated and students cannot book you during the blocked times.

If your schedule shows no available slots, students might assume you’re not teaching and look for other tutors. To avoid this, keep your schedule updated and add a note in your bio asking students to message you if they can’t find a suitable time.

Yes, students can book any available slot up to 30 minutes before the lesson time.

Students can book your classes anytime, from the same day to weeks in advance, as long as there are available slots in your schedule.

Yes, you can cancel a class at any time. However, if the cancellation is within 6 hours of the scheduled session, make sure to message the student to inform them. Cancellations within 6 hours should only be for emergencies or based on the student’s request. It’s up to you to decide whether to proceed with the cancellation or not.

Yes, you can reschedule a session at any time.

To reschedule, go to the lesson and click on Reschedule Session. A request will be sent to the student to either accept or reject. If the student accepts, the session will be moved to the new date. If the student rejects, the session will be cancelled.

Note: The reschedule request is valid for 8 hours—after that, it will be automatically cancelled.

Yes, you can upload materials, but ensure they do not include any personal information. This is to protect your privacy, ensure compliance with our platform policies, and maintain a secure environment for both tutors and students.

Yes, we will inform you about training opportunities when they become available.

Yes, assigning homework is optional, but it’s essential to keep communication within the platform.

We’re working on this feature and will update you once it’s available.

Up to 10 students can join a group class, though we recommend fewer than 6 for better class quality. You can set the maximum number of students when you create the group class.

Yes, your rates for one-on-one and group lessons are independent, and you can set them separately.

Yes, the platform has an integrated video tool, so all lessons happen directly on the platform.

Yes, all sessions are recorded and will be available for three months after the session. You can access them from the "My Lessons" section.

Yes, students can leave reviews on your profile and separately on group classes.

Start the lesson on time and wait for 10 minutes. If the student doesn’t show up, send a report on the lesson through the platform.

For disputes, click the "Action" button on the appointment, select "Report," and submit your complaint to the admin. The admin will review the issue and reply back via email.

You’ll be paid for the first 10 minutes unless you agree to a refund with the student and report this to the admin.

Yes, use the "Report" button on the appointment to submit your concern.

You’ll need a laptop, headphones, a microphone, and a stable internet connection.

Yes, contact support@lernst.com for assistance.

If it’s a serious issue, cancel the class, report the session, and inform the admin to refund the student.

It’s recommended to use a computer for better quality and professionalism.

We recommend using Google Chrome for the best performance and compatibility with the platform’s features.

• • Keep your availability updated

  • Avoid canceling lessons

  • Be punctual for all classes

Ratings are based on student reviews and feedback.

No, responding to reviews is not allowed.

Yes, we have reward programs for top-performing tutors.