1. Is it one-on-one or a group class?
In a group of six, a child might recite for five minutes out of thirty. In a one-on-one class the teacher hears every verse and corrects every mistake as it happens. For beginners and for Tajweed this matters more than anything else on this list.
2. Who is the teacher, exactly?
Ask for the teacher’s name, what they studied, and whether they hold an ijazah in recitation. A good academy introduces the teacher before the first paid class, and lets you change teacher if the match isn’t right.
3. Can the teacher explain in English?
If your child thinks in English, a teacher who only speaks Arabic can correct mistakes but can’t explain them. Ask whether the teacher can switch to English for instructions, rules and encouragement.
4. How is Tajweed taught?
Tajweed should be corrected from the very first lesson, not added later. Ask how the teacher handles letter sounds (makharij), elongation (madd) and nasal sounds (ghunnah), and how often rules are reviewed.
5. How will you see progress?
“He’s doing great” after every class is not progress tracking. Look for written notes after each class, a clear record of what was memorized, and a regular report. At Bn Serag, parents see a memorization map of all 30 juz that fills in as their child memorizes.
6. Do classes fit your time zone?
Classes after school in London or Toronto are early morning or late night elsewhere. Make sure the academy schedules in your local time and shows the timetable that way, so nobody has to do time-zone arithmetic every week.
7. Is there a free trial?
A trial class tells you more than any website. Watch how the teacher speaks to your child, how mistakes are corrected, and whether your child wants to come back.
A quick checklist
- One-on-one, live video classes
- A named, qualified teacher you can change
- Explanations in English when needed
- Tajweed corrected from day one
- Written notes and a visible record of memorization
- Scheduling in your time zone
- A free trial before you commit