A specialist alternative to a generalist marketplace

TEO Academy vs Preply:choose expertise, flexibility and real value.

TEO Academy is built for adults who need English for careers, healthcare, university study and international communication. We combine specialist tutors, fairer platform economics and flexible learning without forcing students into a recurring lesson subscription.

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14%

Flat tutor commission

Paid

Trial teaching sessions

No forced

Recurring subscription

The TEO difference

A clearer route from learning English to using it confidently.

Choose a specialist

Match expertise to your real goal.

Build practical skills

Use targeted feedback and real scenarios.

Use English confidently

Take progress into work, study and life.

Business English

Meetings, interviews and global careers

Medical English

Clinical communication and patient safety

Academic English

University study and research communication

Beyond the headline price

Low cost does not automatically mean good value.

A cheap hourly price can look attractive, but the real cost of learning includes time, missed progress, unsuitable teaching and lessons that do not connect to your goals. Better value comes from the right expertise, useful feedback, continuity and communication skills you can apply outside the classroom.

Specialist expertise

Targeted practice

Real-world progress

A huge directory can create more searching, not more certainty.

When a marketplace covers many subjects, languages and tutor types, students may need to compare a large number of profiles before finding the right specialist fit.

TEO begins with the outcome you need.

Our platform centres adult English, including workplace communication, healthcare, university study, exams and international careers.

TEO Academy vs Preply

A specialist English platform compared with a generalist marketplace.

TEO Academy is intentionally focused. Preply offers scale and a very large directory, but scale is not the same as specialist fit, fair tutor economics or flexible payment.

Specialist English platform

TEO Academy

Designed around serious adult English learning, professional communication and fairer support for tutors.

Specialist adult English

Business, Medical and Academic English sit at the centre of the platform.

No forced recurring subscription

Students can choose lessons according to their needs rather than entering a mandatory 28-day lesson cycle.

14% flat tutor commission

Tutors retain 86% of their listed lesson fee, supporting stronger professional sustainability.

Paid trial lessons

A trial is still professional teaching time and is treated as paid work.

Purpose-built learning environment

Lessonspace supports video, whiteboards, documents and collaborative teaching tools.

Built from real professional expertise

The platform reflects experience in healthcare, leadership, mentoring, education and international communication.

Generalist marketplace

Preply

A large marketplace spanning many languages and subjects, with platform rules that students and tutors should understand before committing.

Generalist rather than specialist

The marketplace covers many subjects and languages, so specialist professional English is one option among a very broad directory.

Recurring 28-day subscription model

After a trial, Preply states that students are automatically charged every 28 days for a fixed number of lessons with a tutor.

18% to 33% tutor commission

Preply's official policy states that commission on subsequent lessons varies according to completed teaching hours.

100% commission on the first trial

Preply states that the platform takes the full value of a tutor's first trial lesson with each new student.

Large choice can make quality harder to judge

A very large directory can include wide variation in experience, specialisation, teaching approach and professional background.

A low price may not reflect long-term value

Choosing mainly by hourly price can overlook tutor expertise, learning design, continuity and relevance to your real communication goals.

Communication is not a luxury. It shapes confidence, safety, opportunity and belonging.

Lisa Hourihan, Founder and Director of TEO Academy

The founder's story

Built from frontline professional experience, not a generic marketplace template.

TEO Academy was founded by Lisa and James Hourihan, combining deep expertise in healthcare, education and professional development. Alongside more than 15 years as a Registered Nurse, Lisa completed master’s-level training in teaching and mentorship, grounded in andragogy and TEFL principles, and has developed practical tools to strengthen communication, confidence and assessment. James brings more than 30 years of experience in teaching and training. Together, they have created a specialist platform shaped by real professional experience, evidence-informed education and a clear understanding of how adults learn best.

TEO brings together education, healthcare insight, business communication and global career development, supported by its own frameworks and a mission to make expert learning fairer for both students and tutors.

Read About TEO Academy Get in Touch

TEO builds authority through specialist content and practical communication frameworks.

The platform is developing a connected learning ecosystem around professional English, international intelligibility, healthcare communication and confident participation.

ACE → Chunk → Check™

A practical delivery framework that helps learners organise ideas, communicate in manageable sections and check that the listener has understood.

Explore international English communication

PEARLS™ Clinical Language Framework

A structured approach to pronunciation, endings, accuracy, rhythm, listening and checking, and safety language for international healthcare communication.

Explore Medical Communication

Explore TEO Academy

Choose your next step.

Compare tutor earnings, learn more about the company, browse specialist support or contact the TEO team directly.

Tutor Commission Calculator

Compare estimated tutor take-home pay using TEO's flat 14% commission.

About TEO Academy

Meet the founder and explore the mission, values and experience behind TEO.

Get in Touch

Ask about learning, tutoring, partnerships or specialist communication programmes.

Create a Student Account

Professional Learning Hub

Browse communication guides, frameworks, specialist pages and practical tools.

Teach with TEO Academy

Explore a fairer specialist platform for independent English tutors and coaches.

Frequently asked questions

TEO Academy vs Preply FAQs

Is TEO Academy a Preply alternative?

Yes. TEO Academy is a specialist alternative for adults who want English connected to careers, healthcare, university study, exams or international communication.

Does TEO Academy require a lesson subscription?

No. TEO Academy does not require students to enter a mandatory recurring 28-day lesson subscription after a trial.

How much commission does TEO Academy charge tutors?

TEO Academy charges a flat 14% platform commission, so tutors retain 86% of their listed lesson fee.

How does Preply's commission compare?

Preply's official help centre states that it takes 100% commission on a tutor's first trial lesson with each new student, then 18% to 33% on later lessons depending on completed hours.

Is the cheapest tutor always the best value?

No. A low hourly rate does not show whether the tutor has the right expertise, understands your professional context or can provide a structured route to progress.

What specialist English does TEO Academy support?

TEO's core specialisms are Business English, Medical English and Academic English, alongside exam preparation and communication for other industries.

Can I choose my own tutor on TEO Academy?

Yes. Students can browse tutor profiles and compare expertise, rates, availability and learning focus before booking.

How do I get started?

Create a student account, browse specialist tutors and choose the support that fits your communication goals.

Choose specialist support

Your English learning should move your career, confidence and future forward.

Choose a platform built around adult English, professional expertise, fair tutor treatment and flexible learning.

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Comparison note: Preply policy information was reviewed on 21 July 2026 using its official help centre. Preply states that students are charged every 28 days for a fixed number of lessons after the trial, that tutor commission on later lessons ranges from 18% to 33%, and that commission on the first trial lesson with a new student is 100%. Platform policies can change, so readers should check current terms before making a financial or teaching decision. TEO Academy is not affiliated with Preply, and Preply is a trademark of its respective owner. Sources: Preply commission model and Preply subscription model.

TEO Academy vs Preply: A Specialist English Learning Alternative

Choose the Right Online English Platform for Your Goals