Learner Review: Do "the World's Best Math Tutors" Really Measure up?

Learner.com is the place where students can go for online math tutoring. They're the home of "the world's best math tutors." But do they really live up to that?

I'd like to share my experience (and really, my son's experience) of using the Learner tutoring platform. We'll dive into the details of what the process was like, what makes Learner unique, our favorite features, and ultimately, why I think they can claim to be the world's best math tutors.

My Son's Story

First, a little background. My son, Damon, is currently a sophomore in high school. That puts him in Algebra 2 right now. He also has a love of soccer that happens to take up a lot of his time and energy. He plays competitively, training 6 days a week. It's a big passion of his and, consequently, a huge commitment.

Damon actually used to be an A student in his math classes. But this year, soccer had become such a high priority that it didn't leave much room for academics. He was still doing okay in the other subjects, but math had started to struggle. Earlier this year, his grade dropped to a C—and, unfortunately, it only seemed to be trending downward.

Of course, I wanted him to keep up with the thing he loves and enjoys so much. I didn't want to pull him out of soccer! But I just didn't know what to do.

On top of all that, due to COVID, Damon hasn't really been able to access the person students usually go to first in this situation: his math teacher. We haven't known where to turn, and honestly, his busy schedule hadn't left us with tons of time to try to figure it out, either.

He'd just been going, going, going, and the stress had really built up. I could see how much he worried about school (and, of course, all the stress of the pandemic, too). I began to notice that all this seemed to be putting a dent in his confidence level, as well. That's when I decided I couldn't let him just keep going on like this. I couldn't put it off any longer. I needed to find him some solution for help.

Why We Chose Learner

In addition to Google searching, I was asking friends for suggestions, too. We heard about Learner from a friend's recommendation. Her daughter had had great success with them, and she had only the best things to say. After perusing the website, reading about their tutors, their mission, and their reviews, we decided they were the online tutoring choice for us.

It's obvious that Learner is highly interested in serving students of all ages, types, and levels of math skill. They're also super focused on customizing their entire approach to each individual student that seeks their assistance.

That's what caught my attention the most. I felt Damon's situation was unique (and, isn't everybody's?). So I was glad to learn they didn't have a cookie-cutter approach, but instead would take time to understand him and his specific challenges, and then meet him where he is.

Getting Started

After my initial bit of research into Learner, I just called them right up. I was feeling really concerned about Damon, and told them we were ready to start as soon as possible—I didn't want him to keep struggling like he had been.

I spent 30 minutes on the phone with their Academic Coach. They asked several questions to try to get the full picture of Damon's struggles, his current situation, and even his personality. I was a bit surprised, but impressed that, in addition to asking about how he is faring in school, they also asked questions about how he interacts with friends and what his hobbies are. They really seemed to want to get to know him and get the complete context of his current challenges.

The Tutoring Process and Experience

After our chat, the coach assessed the information I'd given. They then recommended a tutor for Damon, based on his need for someone with a nurturing side, but still disciplined enough to hold him accountable. I agreed that that seemed like exactly what he needed.

We scheduled his first appointment for the following day. And that first session was fantastic. Damon and the tutor jumped on a video call where they could both see each other's faces, while also working on a "whiteboard"—a white space they can both write on to work through problems together.

Damon has loved his tutor. They've really seemed to hit it off well. I've listened in on a few of his sessions, and I've been thrilled to hear how engaged he is. Even though he's in that "cool teenager" phase, he's not only clicked with his tutor, but also actively participates in their lessons. Concepts have been coming together for him, and I've noticed he's been completing his homework in less time and with less frustration.

Damon's Success

Right from the start, I could see how having a tutor lifted a huge weight off my son's shoulders. His stress was significantly reduced. He's told me that keeping up his grades AND keeping up with soccer feels so much more doable for him now.

Within just a few weeks, my son has already moved up to a B in his algebra class! Things are now trending in the right direction (up!), and I could not be more thankful to Learner for their help in this.

What Makes Learner Different?

Tutor Selection

Many of the top math tutor sites online assign a tutor from their team (without any prior knowledge about the student). Other sites allow the parent or student to browse through hundreds or even thousands of tutors and decide for themselves—often, leaving them feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Instead of taking one of these routes, Learner gets to know the student first, before handpicking an ideal tutor for them from their team of superior, experienced math mentors. This made my job easy, and still gave me the security that a lot of thought was being put into the decision.

$25 Trial Session

Learner touts a 100% risk-free satisfaction guarantee. Our first tutoring session was only $25, with no commitment whatsoever. In addition the rigorous vetting process for their tutors, and Learner's care for and commitment to their students, having a trial run helped me feel secure—knowing that there was no chance we would get stuck with anything we were unhappy with.

And, lucky for us, we were extremely happy with Damon's tutor and the whole process of that first session (and every one since). Having had the chance to try it out, we were more than happy to pay for future lessons so that my son could continue with his forward progress.

Virtual Classroom Innovation 

Available on most Android and iOS devices, Learner's platform hosts all tutoring sessions between students and tutors. This system works best for students who prefer to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment while receiving assistance with topics that are challenging for them to understand. 

The virtual classroom setting is very interactive, allowing students to freely converse with their tutors so that they can collaborate and figure out how to solve math problems.

Every session gets recorded and is always accessible. This feature is perfect for students to go back and reference in their spare time. 

In school, students take notes when the teacher is speaking, but when they refer to their notes, they can't actually hear how the teacher explained the concept. With Learner, they can rewatch the video as often as necessary to help increase their understanding of specific lessons. 

Customer Service

Learner's "white glove" service promises always to be available and provide an elevated level of attention to your questions and concerns. There's no online chat option currently available, but you can call them by phone or use the online contact form for a prompt response.

Useful Feedback

Parents need to be involved in their children's learning process. Parents may not be present in the room, but they don't have to worry about missing anything. The tutors offer feedback after every session to track the child's progress and note areas that still need improvement.

They provide this feedback to the student and the parent, which keeps everyone in the loop during the journey. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding the perfect tutor for your child is a daunting experience. You want to make sure you get it right, you don't want to waste any time getting your child back on track academically, and you obviously don't want to waste your money. If this is your first time hiring a tutor, it may help to have some commonly asked questions answered to put your mind at ease. 

1. What can I expect from a math tutor?

Math tutors can provide students with the attention and assistance that the classroom environment and traditional textbooks are incapable of providing. It's a more personal experience that some kids need to thrive. 

Math tutors for the most part, work via video chat to conduct their tutoring sessions. A typical lesson involves a mixture of demonstrating examples, explaining various math theories, and helping students to work through math problems that they are likely to see in school and on tests. 

2. What is the average price for a math tutor?

Math tutor prices can vary according to the tutor’s credentials, your location, and the specific subject matter. On average, a private tutor will charge anywhere from $40-$80 per hour for 1-on1 tutoring sessions.

3. How does someone become an online math tutor for Learner.com?

When it comes to online math tutors, Learner has strict hiring standards to qualify. For starters, you need a bachelor's degree in math or other relevant subjects. You'll also have to provide proof of multiple years of in-person tutoring experience under your belt, as well as some years of experience tutoring online. To give you an idea of how competitive the hiring process is, Learner only hires five percent of tutoring applicants.

4. Will a math tutor really help my student?

There are many respected studies that demonstrate that students benefit significantly from receiving private tutoring from someone who excels in various forms of math. Private tutors allow students to take their time and work at a place that best suits them. They also have the freedom to ask as many questions as they want. 

This kind of access is impossible in a traditional classroom environment. Furthermore, a tutor can tailor their lessons to the specific learning style of the student.

5. Which math tutoring site is the best?

The best site to assist your student in math will be the site that can best benefit your child and their needs specifically. Every site had their negatives and positives. 

But, if you're looking for private instruction and unique lesson plans from highly knowledgeable and qualified math tutors, perhaps Learner.com is the site for you.

The Final Verdict on Learner

All in all, I would highly recommend going to Learner for any of your math tutoring needs. In our experience, we've found that they'll go at the student's pace, answer all their questions, and help them meet their math goals—whatever they may be. They care about their students, and they will customize a tutoring experience that meets each person's unique needs.