A few weeks back, one of the parents, Miss Fatema, contacted us via WhatsApp support from the US. They were looking for a reliable online Quran tutor for their son. The conversation began, and she asked about the fee, timings, free trials, punctuality, scrutiny of the daily lessons, and so on. These are the crucial questions we always suggest parents and students ask openly of any online Quran academy. Then Miss Fatema asked if she was looking for a Bengali Quran tutor for her son.
This was a new question for us from a parent concerned for her son’s Quran education. And honestly, I was not prepared to answer this with more clarity and care. This is what I answered in response to that question.
Yes, my response was about the proof of testimonials, and a bit of clarity might be. But, not the concern and care that the parent was looking for her son, a Bengali teacher. So today, we will find the answer that matters: ethnicity is really a significant factor when choosing an online Quran tutor. I’ll try to answer in an unbiased, well-researched, and parent-centric way.
Why do Some Parents Prefer Online Quran Tutors from their Ethnicity?
Well, why not? There are hundreds of thousands of Quran tutors worldwide, representing diverse cultures and ethnicities. So, a parent in California, Melbourne, or Dubai has the freedom and right to decide for their child. Sometimes, parents naturally feel more comfortable when a Quran teacher shares their own ethnicity, values, or cultural background. It naturally gives a sense of familiarity and trust. The feeling that ” this teacher understands how we raise our children and what our cultural values are.’’ This naturally leans towards a subconscious trust.
It’s not about bias. It’s about seeking an environment that feels safe and culturally aligned, especially when we cannot meet the teacher in person, e.g., online quran tutoring. Finding someone from one’s own community feels like ‘‘home” for parents living abroad. It deserves to be acknowledged. But, the question remains: is it really a deciding factor while choosing an online Quran tutor?
What If…?
I’ll start with a streak of honest questions; let’s face them. What if a Quran tutor from one’s own ethnicity is not regular in the classes? What if he is not punctual? What if he is not an expert or experienced Quran tutor in the online space? What if even though they share the same culture, a child still feels uncomfortable? What if her accent is giving a student in Florida a tough time? What if the student was unable to recite the Quran fluently and correctly, even after spending 2 years with that same cultured online Quran teacher? These are the questions that cannot be ignored while searching for an online teacher of the same ethnicity.
We have multiple examples here in our institute, Beacon Quran Tuitions. Parents contacted us and regretted that the previous teacher spent 3 years, some said 2 years, and in a recent case, I was shocked when a mother told me that her kids had been enrolled for 5 years, and the little one was not even able to read a single word of the Quran! These are the facts we got. And when they came to us, they finally got the right care and expertise that they had been quietly struggling for.
Shall Ethnicity Be a Significant Factor When Looking For an Online Quran Tutor?
Well, if an online Quran tutor has all the qualities of a professional & caring teacher, then for sure, having the same ethnicity is a plus point. But it is not a significant or deciding factor when looking for an online Quran tutor for your little daughter or son. The factors that must be prioritized are the punctuality, regularity, the student clearly understanding the tajweed rules, and the ability to apply them to achieve the desired outcome. He can read the Quran not only correctly, but also with reasonable fluency. Parents are being informed about their kids’ month-on-month progress. The teacher is being kind to him whenever a student makes a mistake. The teacher should make tajweed learning a bit interesting and engaging if the student is not feeling up to attending class.
Look, things never get easier, but if a teacher is sincere and genuinely wants a student to learn the Quran, then it becomes possible even if they are connected online. It’s all about willingness, sincerity in teaching, along with expertise and care. Allah also regards sincerity and honesty. So, we can conclude that yes, ethnicity might be a plus point, but it cannot be a significant or deciding factor when looking for an online Quran tutor.
What Parents Should Do?
Having this opportunity to address, we humbly suggest that parents first ask the online Quran academies questions that are directly related to their child’s Quran learning and Islamic education. If they sign up for the free trials, always use those classes to scrutinize and observe these features:
- How the teacher behaves
- Whether the teacher’s accent is understandable
- Whether your child understands what is being taught
- Whether the teacher is motivating the child to do their assignments.
- Always demand a 30-day refund guarantee in case you’re not satisfied.
- Make sure the teacher is keeping you informed about the kid’s progress.
- Sometimes, you shall sit with your child and assess him, ask him to read what he is learning.
- Make sure the teacher is always punctual.
- Observe that the teacher is kind towards a child; a rude teacher can never become a good, long-lasting teacher.
- A kid will never like to attend the class of a constant, strict, or rude teacher.
If you found our article helpful in addressing your concerns, and you’re looking for a reliable online Quran tutor with these same features, we suggest parents. You can contact us for our 5-day free trial Quran classes.