A free trial is the lowest-risk way to judge an online Quran academy, but only if you know what a good one looks like. Some academies use it to teach and let the quality speak. Others use it mainly to sell packages. Here is what to expect, and what to watch for.

What a good trial includes

1. Meeting the real teacher

The trial should be with the teacher who would teach you or your child, not a separate "demo" presenter. You are judging the person, not the brand.

2. An honest assessment

The teacher will usually ask you or your child to:

• Recognise some letters, or read a few lines, depending on level.
• Recite anything already memorised, such as al-Fatiha.
• Read a short passage so the teacher can hear pronunciation and tajweed.

From this, they can tell you where to start: Noorani Qaida, reading practice, tajweed or hifz.

3. A short real lesson

You should leave having learnt something small: a few new letters, a corrected sound, a tajweed rule applied to a verse. This shows you how the teacher teaches.

4. Time for questions

Ask about the teacher's background, how progress is reported, how missed classes work, and anything else that matters to you.

5. A suggested plan

A good teacher will recommend a course, the number of classes per week and a realistic timeline. See how many classes a week.

What a trial should not include

• A request for card details to book.
• An automatic charge afterwards.
• Pressure to pay for several months on the spot.
• A demo teacher who then disappears.

How to get the most out of it

• Test your setup the day before: camera, microphone, link.
• Have the Qaida or a mushaf ready, if you have one.
• Write down two or three questions.
• For children, sit nearby for the whole lesson so you see the teaching style. See preparing for the first class.
• Tell the teacher about any goals, worries or needs in advance.

Questions worth asking

• Will you be my (or my child's) regular teacher?
• What are your qualifications?
• How will I know what was covered and what to practise?
• What happens if we need to miss a class?
• What exactly will it cost per month for the plan you recommend?

After the trial: how to decide

Ask yourself:

• Did the teacher listen carefully and correct patiently?
• Did we learn something new?
• Did my child (or I) feel comfortable?
• Do the suggested times and plan work for us?

If the answers are yes, that is usually a good sign. If not, it is fine to try another teacher or academy. See how to choose an academy.

Our free trial

At Online Study Quran Academy, the trial is a one-on-one lesson with a Hafiz, Ijazah-certified teacher. It needs no card and there is no automatic charge. You can mention a preferred teacher from our teachers page when you book. Book your free trial here.