Interview Synthesis — Top Recurring Insights

These insights summarize patterns across customer development interviews with language tutors and learners. Quotes were lightly edited for clarity and translated to English where needed.

Top 8 Recurring Insights

1) Retention and relationship building matter more than new student acquisition

  • Frequency: 15+ interviews (nearly universal among teachers)
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “Absolutely—keeping the students you already have.” — Ana Livia
    • “I prefer to retain students.” — Milena

2) Progress is hard to perceive at intermediate/advanced levels, causing frustration

  • Frequency: 12+ interviews (teachers + learners)
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “It’s much easier to see the problems than the progress.” — Robert
    • “It’s very hard for them to notice too, because advanced students are already at a stage where they can speak.” — Euclecia

3) Personalization is essential, but it requires significant unpaid prep time

  • Frequency: 14+ interviews (nearly all teachers)
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “For each student I have a Word document that stays with me.” — Paola Malta
    • “I started keeping track—like a notebook with each person’s name who takes classes regularly—so I can organize myself.” — Ana Livia

4) AI tools are widely used, but require constant human oversight

  • Frequency: 10+ interviews (moderate to high among tech‑savvy teachers)
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “You can’t trust it 100%.” — Gabriela
    • “I always have to review what was done before I send it to the student.” — Tony

5) Students strongly prefer conversation and real‑life practice over grammar drills

  • Frequency: 16+ interviews (nearly universal)
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “Most people who come to talk to me say they don’t want a class, they don’t want a teacher, they don’t want to write anything; they just want to talk.” — Júnior
    • “Many, many say they only want to talk—they don’t want to learn grammar.” — Thais Stefani

6) Emotional connection and motivational support are central to retention

  • Frequency: 12+ interviews
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “What really matters is whether you connect with the student.” — Milena
    • “I always ask how you are, how your weekend was, how your day went, so the person can talk to me.” — Euclecia

7) Homework and out‑of‑class practice are rarely completed (even when personalized)

  • Frequency: 11+ interviews
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “It doesn’t work, because the student either doesn’t do it or doesn’t have time.” — Wyara
    • “Most don’t want it… they just want to talk.” — Júnior

8) Platform economics (fees, unpaid prep, limited control) shape tutor behavior and satisfaction

  • Frequency: 10+ interviews (high among teachers)
  • Confidence: High
  • Representative quotes:
    • “They should reduce the fees a bit because the fees are very, very high.” — Euclecia
    • “I really wish they wouldn’t take 100% of the trial lesson price. I think it’s absurd.” — Euclecia

Surprising / Contradictory Insights

A) Many teachers willingly invest significant unpaid time

Contrary to the expectation that teachers avoid unpaid work, many spend time outside class preparing materials, tracking errors, and supporting students via WhatsApp/email—often motivated by pride and personal connection, not just money.

B) AI is widely adopted, but not trusted autonomously

Teachers use tools like ChatGPT extensively, but treat them as assistants. Output must be reviewed and edited before it’s used with students.

C) Students resist homework even when it’s personalized

Even tailored exercises based on student interests and errors often go undone; many learners prefer to focus exclusively on live conversation during lessons.