Choosing a Quran teacher is one of the most important decisions a Muslim parent makes. Online classes have made it possible to learn from qualified teachers wherever you live, but they also mean you need to judge a teacher from a distance. This checklist will help you choose with confidence.
1. Check the teacher's qualifications
Ask whether the teacher holds an ijazah (a certified chain of transmission in recitation) or a recognised qualification in tajweed or Hifz. A teacher who has memorised the Quran and studied tajweed under qualified scholars will hear mistakes that others miss. Do not be shy to ask how and where they studied.
2. Prefer one-to-one classes, especially for young children
Reading the Quran is a skill that is corrected by ear. In a group class, a teacher cannot listen carefully to every letter each child reads. One-to-one lessons mean every minute is spent on your child, and the pace matches their level exactly.
3. Look at how the teacher corrects mistakes
A good teacher corrects immediately and kindly, then makes the student repeat correctly several times. Watch for these signs in a trial class:
- The teacher stops your child at the exact letter that was wrong.
- Corrections are explained simply, with an example.
- Your child is encouraged, not embarrassed.
- The teacher sets a small, clear goal for the next class.
4. Ask about safeguarding
Online learning should be safe and transparent. Good academies have clear rules, such as:
- Parents can sit in on any class.
- Classes run on one official link, never on private chats.
- Girls can be taught by a female teacher.
- Teachers are selected and observed by the academy.
5. Make sure progress is visible
You should always know what your child learned and what comes next. Ask whether you will receive a written progress report, and how often. For Hifz students, weekly updates are ideal.
6. Use the free trial properly
A free trial is your chance to test everything. Before the trial, write down what you want to see. After it, ask your child how they felt. A teacher who is a good match will leave your child feeling confident and keen to return.
7. Check that class times really fit your week
Consistency matters more than long lessons. Two or three 30-minute classes every week, at a time that works, will achieve far more than a long weekly lesson that keeps getting cancelled. Choose an academy that schedules in your own time zone.
Red flags to avoid
- No information about the teacher's qualifications.
- Pressure to pay before any trial class.
- Large group classes for beginners.
- Teachers contacting children privately.
- No way to change teacher if it is not a good fit.
Summary
The right Quran teacher is qualified, patient, safe and consistent, and you should be able to see that within a few trial classes. At Al-Rehman, every class is one to one, parents are always welcome, and the first three classes are free, so you can judge for yourself.