We hope you’re excited to get started! This article will cover:
- Setting yourself up for success
- What to do if you run into technical issues
- How to start chatting with students
First, let’s look at what you’ll need before signing in.
Setting yourself up for success:
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Google Chrome (required): Check that you're using the latest version of Google Chrome. You can find directions on updating Chrome here. |
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High-speed & Stable Internet (required): Please check that your internet can consistently connect to our video chat servers. You can test your connection here. |
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Appearance and Attire (strongly recommended): Our most successful tutors maintain a well-groomed and professional appearance while working with students. See “Important Policies" for more information. |
Quiet Place with a Tidy Background (strongly recommended): Your computer and camera should be resting on a desk (not in your lap or arms) in order to maintain a stable video feed. See “Important Policies" for more information. |
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| Headset with mic (strongly suggested): A good headset with a mic will help you communicate clearly with your students. While this is not required, it is highly suggested and will boost your professionalism! |
How can I start talking with students?
Now that you have everything you need, you’re ready to start tutoring! Simply log in to your tutor account by visiting cambly.com/tutor, then click "Get started" to start the tech check. You’ll be asked to check your connection if you have an upcoming reservation or priority hour, or if you want to set yourself visible to receive calls.
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The Tech Check We’ll test your connection and preview your video on the left. Blue bars indicate a good connection, while red indicates a problem. The checklist on the right will help you prepare your tutoring environment. Everything on the list must be checked off before you can click “Continue”. |
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The Dashboard Now you’re ready to start tutoring! Just flip the switch to “visible” and wait for a student to call. Once you hear the ringtone, you can click the student’s name to start the call. |
Simply going visible is great if your schedule is more spontaneous or if you have some extra time to tutor, but it can be difficult to grow a consistent client base this way. We highly recommend Priority Hours and Reservations, especially for new tutors and those who prefer a more structured tutoring experience. You can learn more about them in the next two sections of the Tutor Guide.
| Pro Tip: One of the best things you can do to cultivate a warm, accepting learning environment is to smile! :) Learning a new language is difficult, and creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere can make a huge difference in helping your student learn. Remember the more your student learns with you, the more likely he or she will request you again. |
Please note: You’re not obligated to answer calls when visible, but if you miss a few in a row we’ll assume you’ve stepped away and automatically set you as “invisible.”
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