Questions to ask before enrolling in any online Quran class

Short answer: before you enrol in any online Quran class, ask who the teacher is and what she or he has studied, how classes are run, what they cost, and how a trial works. A good academy will answer these plainly and without pressure. If the answers are vague, hurried or hard to get, take that as information and keep looking.

This list works for any online Quran class, from any provider. It is meant to help you ask clear questions and compare calmly, not to criticise anyone.

Questions about the teacher

The teacher is the heart of the class, so start here.

• Who will teach my child, by name? You should know who is on the other side of the screen before the first class.
• What has she or he studied? Ask about formal study and whether there is an ijazah, ideally with a sanad, in Tajweed and in the recitation taught, such as Hafs 'an 'Asim.
• Is the teacher experienced with children like mine? A child who does not speak Arabic at home needs someone who can explain patiently in a language the child understands.
• Which languages does the teacher teach in? Explanations in English, Urdu or Arabic, depending on your child's needs, make a big difference.
• Will it be the same teacher each time? Children settle better with consistency.

It is entirely reasonable to ask for the details of a qualification. A teacher who is confident in her training will usually be glad to explain it.

Questions about how classes are run

• Is the class one-to-one or in a group? Both exist, but a private class gives a child more time to read aloud and receive correction.
• How long is each class and how often? A 30-minute class several days a week is easier for a child than an hour once a week, but the right balance depends on your child.
• What does a typical class look like? Ask what the child will do from the first minute to the last: revision, new work, reading, a short dua.
• What tools are used? Whether the teacher uses a digital pen, slides or a shared screen, the child should be able to see clearly.
• How are mistakes corrected? Gentle, patient correction matters. Ask how the teacher encourages a child who is struggling.

Questions about safety and trust

Online classes happen in your home, so it is right to ask about how they are conducted.

• Can a parent sit nearby during the class? Most academies welcome this, and for young children we suggest a parent stays close.
• Which platform is used and how is the link shared with you?
• Is the class private, with only the teacher and your child on the call?
• Who can I contact if I have a concern, and how quickly will someone reply?

Choose a quiet, open part of the home for classes, and keep the screen where a parent can see it. If an academy cannot explain how classes are run or who the teacher is, it is wise to wait.

Questions about cost and commitment

• What exactly does the monthly price include? Ask for the number of classes per month, the length of each class and any extra charges.
• Is there a trial class, and is it free? A free trial lets you see the teacher and your child's reaction before you pay anything.
• What happens if we travel or miss a class? Ask whether classes can be rescheduled, and how much notice is needed.
• Is there a long contract? Understand how you can pause or stop, and write down the answer.

Be cautious about any offer that sounds too urgent, such as a countdown or a claim that only a few places remain. A decision about your child's Quran learning is worth a calm week of thought.

Questions to ask yourself

The questions you ask the academy are only half of the picture. It also helps to be clear about what your family needs before you start looking.

• What do I want my child to learn first: reading the letters, recitation with tajweed, memorisation, or the basics of daily worship?
• Which times of day suit us, given school, work and our time zone?
• Can a parent be nearby during classes, and who will help with practice at home?
• Does my child, or do I, prefer a female teacher? This is a personal choice and it is fine to say so when you ask.

Knowing your own answers makes it much easier to judge whether an academy is a good fit, and it helps the teacher suggest a sensible starting point.

Questions about progress

• How will I know how my child is doing? Ask how progress is shared with parents, and how often.
• What is a realistic pace for my child? The honest answer depends on age, practice at home and regular attendance. Be careful with promises such as fluent reading by a fixed date, because no teacher can know that before meeting the child.
• What can I do at home to help? A good teacher will tell you what to practise between classes.

How to compare two options fairly

1. Write down the same questions for each academy and ask them in the same way.
2. Take a trial class with each one if you can, with your child present.
3. Afterwards, ask your child how she felt before you look at price.
4. Compare the answers on teacher, safety and pace, not only the monthly cost.
5. Take a day before deciding.

How we answer these questions

At Best Female Quran, Ustadha Ayesha Azmat holds the Alimah Fazilah qualification, the eight-year Dars-e-Nizami course, and an ijazah with a sanad in Tajweed-ul-Quran, Hafs 'an 'Asim. Classes are private, one-to-one and 30 minutes long, and the plans are listed on our tuition and pricing page. The free 3-day trial is arranged through the form or WhatsApp, subject to teacher availability. Please ask us any of the questions above, and compare us with other academies in the same way.

If you would like to ask your questions, message us on WhatsApp at +92 305 9637306 and tell us your child's age, your country and your time zone.