Hi Peachey

I think I feel what your students felt. Sometimes I am a bit frustrated too when teacher only works in general level when I want to improve my language. That will be big problem for me because I didn't find the lesson will be fruitful. 

And here appearance is about how you look, it is funny, yet I found some students are tend to look for handsome or beautiful teachers. I asked some friends and they did answer so. Yet, for me it doesn't count because here I just need the lesson itself and become fluent, not about how they look like. 

Hi Eva,

I think it depends a lot on one's own personal level. For example, when I want to work on a language when my level is quite low, I'd look for a teacher who would help me with useful phrases and structures, and is very patient. I'd like to feel that I'm moving forward in some way.

At higher levels, I get a little more fussy. I'd ask for more corrections and start focusing on specific elements (such as a certain work context, a region, a grammar point or whatnot). Some of my students have expressed frustration at dealing with teachers who only work on a general level ("Learn from me! I speak English!") and cannot adapt to specific needs.  To be honest, a number of my students approached me simply because I come from Australia, and they wanted to study/live/work in my country, or at least visit. 

I don't think it's off the mark to pick a teacher based on appearance (I guess this means either the teacher presents him/herself as able to help that particular student, or just shows some approachability) or price. We all have budgets. And schedules. :) Each to their own, I suppose.

Susana, I'm a little curious about your comment about italki not being a good place to hire a teacher. I see that you haven't taken any lessons with italki teachers yet, and that you joined the website less than a week ago. Could you explain your opinion a little more?

Hi!

I agree with you in this opinion. It doesn´t matter the prize if the teacher is good. I have studied English with a Spanish teacher but she was living in Birminghan during more than a decade so she speaks like a bilingual. In fact I learnt more in a year with her than in 15 years at the different school I have been to. She is very kind and she always try to make easier learning with jokes, games, and different enjoyable education techniques.

I don´t think here is a good place to hire a teacher but it´s ok to meet people who speak another language different to your so you can learn informal ways of speaking and knowing more about other countries. Also it´s a good way to practise English everyday and don´t give up.

Susana, yes, for me it doesn't matter, yet, sometimes it is the price who makes students think twice to try a teacher. I don't know why, but yes it happens. 

She always tries, sorry!