On this page5 sections
When a parent posts a request, it is sent to teachers who match it — five at a time, up to three rounds. The parent then sees every reply together and chooses who to contact. That is a fairer contest than cold calling, and it rewards a reply that is clear and personal.
What a reply contains
A reply is a structured answer, not a chat: a message, and if you choose, the fee you propose and the schedule you can offer. The parent cannot message you back freely before they decide, so everything they need to decide should be in the reply itself.
The message: show you read the request
- 1Answer their situationMention the level, the syllabus and anything in their notes. “I teach O/L Mathematics on the local syllabus and often work with students who find algebra hard” beats a message you could send to anyone.
- 2Say how you would startOne or two sentences on what the first classes would focus on.
- 3Keep it shortFour or five sentences is plenty. A parent is comparing several replies.
The fee: be clear
Propose a fee with its unit — per hour, per class, per month or per course — so a parent is comparing like with like. If the request states a budget, reply honestly within your own rates; a fee that changes after the first class is the quickest way to lose a family’s trust.
The schedule: be specific
“Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 5 pm” is easier to say yes to than “flexible”. Look at the days the parent said suit them, and match them where you can.
After you reply
If the parent chooses you, they reveal their number to you and yours to them, and you arrange the first class directly. Teachly never handles the payment. Our guide to a good first lesson is written for parents — it is worth knowing what they will be looking for.
Key takeaways
- Write each message for that request: level, syllabus, notes.
- Propose a clear fee with its unit, and keep to it.
- Offer specific days and times that match what the parent asked for.
- Reply quickly — it is compared, and it counts.