Connect, Learn, and Grow: Preply Online Teaching Conference 2024 Highlights

Bringing together online English teachers and experts from across the globe, Preply created a virtual hub of learning and inspiration as it hosted its third annual online teaching conference, from October 24th to 26th, to empower independent language tutors to expand their skill sets, connect with the ELT community, and uncover new insights to grow their teaching ventures.

A virtual celebration of teaching and learning

With a rich lineup of talks, interactive workshops, and panel discussions, the online conference delved into various themes, from writing class materials to strategies for standing out in the market to storytelling techniques.

Malena Volberg, Preply’s Tutor Acquisition Specialist, explained that this year’s theme, “Unlock Your Career Potential: Connect, Learn, and Grow,” was chosen to provide attendees with a clear and actionable path toward professional development. “Our goal was to create a conference experience that would equip tutors with the tools and inspiration they need to take their careers to the next level,” Volberg shared. “To empower tutors to learn and grow, we curated sessions designed to inspire professional development and enhance teaching skills. From exploring advanced teaching techniques to gaining qualifications, attendees had the opportunity to learn from expert tutors, internationally renowned guest speakers, and institutional partners.”

The event also provided an opportunity for the Preply team to showcase their virtual learning platform’s updated design and innovative features, such as class management tools and flashcards, aimed at enhancing tutors’ teaching efficacy and boosting students’ learning experiences.

In addition to attending presentations, conference participants engaged in interactive activities, such as a scavenger hunt, taking their photos at the virtual photo booth, and saving content or resources from the booths.

They also completed various challenges to earn and collect points throughout the three-day event. Those who accumulated the highest points won prizes, including a one-year membership to Bridge’s Teacherpreneur Academy.

Interested in learning more about the Teacherpreneur Academy? Read this next – Introducing the Teacherpreneur Academy: Empowering Educators to Launch an Independent Teaching Career.

Meanwhile, Volberg also highlighted the value of the exhibitor stands, which offered a wealth of resource-packed materials and tools to complement the audience’s learning experiences. “Having hands-on access to these was a game-changer,” she said, adding that the event provided practical solutions that could immediately enhance teachers’ instruction.

Session highlights of the Preply Tutor Conference

Reflecting on this year’s conference, Volberg noted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both attendees and presenters. “Attendees were particularly engaged by sessions offering practical advice that could be immediately applied, whether that was adopting innovative engagement techniques, scaling their tutoring business, or understanding better ways to use technology in their teaching,” she explained. She also shared that presenters enjoyed the lively discussions and interactive atmosphere, with many feeling the impact of their sessions through the enthusiastic post-conference testimonials.

The power of your mind

As a majority of Preply Online Teaching Conference attendees were independent online English tutors, one of the sessions that resonated the most was Ola Kowalska’s talk, “The power of your mind: How changing the way you think will guarantee you more students.”

A business coach for language teachers, Kowalska first emphasized how societal perceptions and, more significantly, teacher mindsets shape their success and job satisfaction.

“If you want to thrive in that job, you need to take radical responsibility, and that starts with your mindset,“ Kowalksa advised teachers, as she shared strategies to overcome negative thoughts.

Kowalska also guided teachers on growing their businesses strategically, from crafting offers aligned with their goals to mastering sales. Finally, she challenged them to confront limiting beliefs, practice thought-shifting, and understand business fundamentals.

“Just start learning about [business],” Kowalska encouraged tutors. “It’s not that we have to know all this stuff and feel confident. We have to learn.”

Learn how to start an online English teaching business without breaking the bank.

Writing classroom materials

Materials creation and development were also key topics in many sessions throughout the event.

In his interactive workshop “7 simple secrets for writing super classroom materials,” award-winning ELT author and teacher trainer John Hughes offered practical advice on creating effective English language materials.

After engaging the audience about their experiences with writing educational materials, Hughes highlighted a gap in teacher training courses, noting the lack of formal instruction in writing class materials and resources.

“A lot of us do it through trial and error,” Hughes remarked. “We kind of learn on the job. When we train to be a teacher, we also need to be trained to write materials as well.”

To prepare for the session, Hughes collected questions from Preply teachers about writing materials and addressed several of them during his workshop. He gave tips on topics such as incorporating authentic images, avoiding common mistakes in assessments, and designing original, marketable resources.

One key focus of his presentation was time management for writing class materials. Hughes suggested strategies such as choosing a dedicated time of day for writing, taking breaks during the process, and leveraging resources designed for English teachers. He also encouraged educators to seek advice from industry professionals.

“For time management, don’t reinvent the wheel,” he pointed out. “If you want advice from writers, there’s a lot of resources now out there to create your own materials.”

Interested in honing your skills in materials creation? Check out Bridge’s Micro-Credential course in Materials Development for the EFL Classroom and learn how to design effective, engaging resources for your students.

Bridge’s participation: Sharing strategies for teacher growth

As a sponsor of the Preply Online Teaching Conference, Bridge also provided support to ELT professionals throughout the event by providing complimentary resources and personalized guidance through its virtual booth.

Bridge Program Advisor Krzl Nuñes also shared insights, addressed questions about Bridge programs, and engaged directly with conference attendees.

Creating a strong profile

Meanwhile, Teacherpreneur Academy Coach Rachel Story delivered a presentation titled “Creating a strong profile and strategy to attract new students,” where she gave tips to help online English tutors make their teacher profiles stand out.

“I chose to talk about building a strong profile and strategy to attract students because it’s such a key skill for teachers on online marketplaces,” Story shared. “Your profile is often the very first thing potential students see, so it’s your chance to make a great first impression and stand out.”

In her talk, Story emphasized the importance of crafting a well-thought-out profile, likening it to an online resume.

“A well-structured profile goes a long way in building that trust, and trust is key to attracting students,” she emphasized.

Story also provided advice for setting up a standout teacher profile, including using authentic photos, creating an engaging self-introduction video, and outlining a clear teaching philosophy.

When asked about the key takeaway from her presentation, Story explained that she aimed to help teachers recognize how every component of their profile – such as the photo, headline, and introduction video – plays an essential role in standing out and attracting their ideal students.

“I also wanted the audience to reflect on their unique qualities as teachers – their values, teaching style, and goals – and to use those insights to craft a profile that’s authentic, approachable, and student-focused,” she added.

“Ultimately, my goal was to give the audience the tools and confidence to build a profile that not only gets noticed but also helps them connect with students who resonate with their vibe and are eager to learn. If the audience left feeling clear, confident, and inspired to create a profile that truly represents them, then I’ve done my job!”

The 2024 Preply Online Teaching Conference provided an enriching and dynamic platform for online English teachers to enhance their skills, gain fresh perspectives, and connect with fellow educators and industry leaders. From inspiring talks on mindset and business growth to practical workshops on materials writing and creating standout profiles, the event empowered teachers to elevate their teaching practices and thrive in their careers. As tutors walked away with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of purpose, the conference underscored the power of community, innovation, and lifelong learning in shaping the future of ELT.

Ready to start your journey toward becoming an independent teacherpreneur? Join the Teacherpreneur Academy to gain the skills and support you need to build your own successful teaching business.