International Online Language School vs Marketplace: What’s the Real Difference?

Start here: Choose your language.

When people look for online lessons, they often face two options: marketplaces (like Preply, iTalki, or similar platforms) and a real online language school. At first sight, they might look similar. But in reality, the difference is fundamental — and it directly affects your results.

Marketplaces: many teachers, little responsibility

Marketplaces connect students and teachers but do not guarantee much beyond that.

• No unified approach. Each teacher works alone, without supervision or shared methodology.
• Pricing confusion. Prices vary wildly, and there is no clarity on what’s included.
• No long-term responsibility. If something goes wrong, the platform is rarely involved.
• Quantity over quality. The goal is to have more profiles, not better outcomes.

Marketplaces may be useful for short-term trial lessons or finding a casual conversation partner — but they do not create a structured path to fluency.

A real online language school: quality and trust

At Levitin Language School (Start Language School by Tymur Levitin), the model is different.

• Unified system. All teachers work within a shared philosophy: focus on meaning, communication, and cultural depth — not memorization.
• Personal approach. Every student is guided by their teacher and supported by the founder. No middlemen, no empty promises.
• Transparent rules. Prices are listed on each teacher’s page. Lessons don’t expire (only <2h late cancellations are charged).
• Free consultation. Before starting, you get a short chat-based consultation to set goals. It’s not a trial lesson — it’s real orientation.
• Clear payment. Pay via the website with PayPal (small commission applies). If PayPal is unavailable, flexible solutions like Wise, Payoneer, or card transfer are possible — by request.
• Global trust. Students from more than 20 countries study with us, often in two or three languages at once.

Why the difference matters

When you learn at a marketplace, you buy a lesson.
When you learn at a school, you join a system that guarantees responsibility, continuity, and growth.

That’s why our motto is: Global Learning. Personal Approach.

Languages you can start today

• English — from basics to business and exam prep.
• German — from everyday life to residence and work.
• Spanish — from conversation to DELE/SIELE success.
  …and more languages are available. Choose your language.

See related articles:

• Online Language School: Global Learning. Personal Approach.
• Best Online Language School for Busy Adults: Learn in 30–90 Minutes a Day

How to begin this week

1. Contact us in chat and describe your goals.
2. We suggest a study plan (30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes).
3. Start with your first lesson and get results from day one.
4. Grow step by step, with personal support all the way.

Note: While our school specializes in languages, some teachers also offer Math, Sciences for kids, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Literature, and Web Development. Most subjects are available in English; Math, Chemistry and Biochemistry are also taught in Ukrainian and Russian. Availability — by request.

Author & copyright

Author: Tymur Levitin — founder, director, senior teacher & translator at Levitin Language School / Start Language School by Tymur Levitin.

© 2025 Tymur Levitin. Levitin Language School / Start Language School by Tymur Levitin. All rights reserved.
Global Learning. Personal Approach.

Get started

• Pick a language: Choose your language
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