- **How to choose an online Quran course:** seven criteria to check before you enrol: teacher, one-to-one lessons, trial lesson, curriculum and follow-up.
- ✅ Start with a trial lesson before any financial commitment.
- 👤 One-to-one lessons suit adults and beginners better than a large group class.
- 📋 Ask for a written plan with clear stages, not general promises.
The seven criteria
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| Criterion | What to ask | A good sign | A warning sign |
|---|
| 1. The teacher | Do they master recitation and tajweed? What is their ijazah and experience with adults? | Listens to you, corrects you and explains their experience | Does not test your reading or discuss experience |
| 2. Lesson type | One-to-one or group? | One-to-one or a small group | A large class with no individual correction |
| 3. Trial lesson | Is there one before paying? | A trial lesson with clear terms | Full payment before any trial |
| 4. Curriculum | What are the stages? | A clear progression: reading, then tajweed, then memorisation | "We will teach you everything" with no plan |
| 5. Follow-up | Is there recitation practice and regular assessment? | Regular assessment and guidance between lessons | No follow-up between lessons |
| 6. Schedule and flexibility | Does it fit your time zone? What happens if you postpone? | Flexible times and a stated make-up policy | Fixed times that do not suit you |
| 7. Language of explanation | Do they explain in your language when needed? | Explanation in a bridge language for beginners | All explanation in a language you do not understand |
Questions to ask in the trial lesson
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- What is my current level, and what plan do you suggest?
- How many lessons a week do you recommend?
- How do you track my progress between lessons?
- What happens if I need to postpone a lesson?
- Can I change teacher if I am not comfortable?
Common mistakes when choosing
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- **Choosing by price alone:** the cheapest may mean a teacher with no follow-up.
- **Starting memorisation before correcting your reading:** mistakes set in and become hard to fix. Read [Does Noorani Qaida suit adults?](/blogs/does-noorani-qaida-suit-adults).
- **Expecting very fast results:** correct reading needs regular practice and training.
How do we answer these criteria?
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At Iqraa Irtaqii Academy: one-to-one online lessons, a trial lesson in which we assess your level, a plan that fits it, times that suit your country, and explanation in English for beginners when needed. Learn more about the [online Quran academy](/en/online-quran-academy) and the [comprehensive guide to learning the Quran online](/blogs/the-comprehensive-guide-to-online-quran-learning-2026-from-noorani-qaida-to-ijazah).
If you want to build the language base first, read the [guide to Arabic for adults](/blogs/arabic-language-foundation-for-adults-online-your-comprehensive-guide-to-learning-fusha-from-scratch-2026), and to move on to understanding vocabulary, see [Learn Quranic Arabic as a non-native speaker](/blogs/enhancing-students-understanding-of-quran-and-arabic-grammar-online).
#### Frequently asked questions
**Q: Are one-to-one lessons better than group lessons?**A: For adults and beginners, usually yes: the teacher corrects your pronunciation directly and builds the lesson around your level.
**Q: Should I start with memorisation or correcting my reading?**A: It is best to correct your reading and build your pronunciation base first, under your teacher's guidance.
**Q: How many lessons a week are enough?**A: It depends on your goal and time. The teacher suggests a suitable number after assessing your level in the trial lesson.
**Q: What if I am not comfortable with the teacher?**A: Ask before enrolling whether you can change teacher: comfort and trust are needed to keep learning.
Ready to start with a specialist teacher?
[Book a free trial lesson on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/97466657295)