Can I reject a lesson request from a student?
While the Turkish Mate platform technically allows tutors the option to reject a lesson request, we strongly discourage doing so whenever possible. Declining a request can negatively impact a student's motivation and learning journey.
Furthermore, frequently rejecting lesson requests can negatively affect your visibility and ranking among other tutors on the platform . Our system prioritizes tutors who are reliable and maintain a consistent schedule.
Why We Discourage Rejecting Requests:
- Student Motivation: Receiving a rejection can be discouraging for students, especially those new to the platform or language learning.
- Tutor Ranking & Visibility: As mentioned, unnecessary rejections signal lower availability or reliability, which can lower your position in search results, leading to fewer future booking opportunities.
- Building Relationships: Accepting requests (or proactively managing availability) helps build trust and positive relationships with students.
What to Do Instead of Rejecting (Recommended Action):
We understand that emergencies or unavoidable scheduling conflicts can happen. If you genuinely cannot attend a lesson requested by a student at that specific time, the best course of action is to communicate and reschedule, not reject.
- Respond Promptly: As soon as you realize you cannot make the requested time, contact the student using the Turkish Mate messaging system.
- Explain Briefly & Apologize: Briefly explain you have an unavoidable conflict (no need for excessive detail) and apologize for the inconvenience.
- Offer Alternatives: Propose specific alternative dates and times for the lesson.
- Reschedule Together: Work with the student to find a new time that suits both of you. Once agreed, you can either guide the student to cancel the original request and book the new slot, or manage the schedule accordingly based on platform features.
This approach shows professionalism, respects the student's interest, and avoids the negative consequences of outright rejection.
Prevent Unwanted Requests: Keep Your Availability Updated!
The most effective way to avoid needing to reject requests is to keep your availability calendar on Turkish Mate consistently up-to-date. Block off any times you know you will be unavailable *before* students can request them.
Key Takeaway: While technically possible, rejecting lesson requests is highly discouraged as it can harm student motivation and negatively impact your tutor ranking. If you have an unavoidable conflict, always prioritize communicating with the student via Turkish Mate messages to reschedule the lesson instead of rejecting the request. Keeping your availability calendar accurate is the best prevention.
