For tutors

How to become a tutor

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SkillSwap Help Center

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Updated regularly for the latest SkillSwap experience•Approx. 3–4 min read

Who can be a tutor on SkillSwap

SkillSwap is built on peer-to-peer learning. You don't need formal certificates or a teaching degree to become a tutor here — you just need real experience in a skill and a genuine desire to help others learn it.

Great tutors are curious, patient and honest about what they know. If you can explain a topic, walk someone through examples and share what worked for you, you're already close to being a strong SkillSwap tutor.

Step 1 — Set up your profile

First, make sure your profile is complete and clear. This builds trust and helps learners understand who you are.

Add a friendly avatar photo
Write a short bio about what you do or study
Set your languages and timezone correctly

For a detailed walkthrough, see Profile setup.

Step 2 — Add skills you can teach

Open your profile and go to the Skills to teach section. Add the skills where you feel comfortable acting as a tutor. These can be technical skills, languages, creative skills or anything else you can teach in a focused 1:1 session.

Start with 1–3 topics you're strongest in
Update this list as your experience grows

Learn more in Skills & goals.

Step 3 — Get matched with learners

Once your teaching skills are set, SkillSwap's matching system starts showing you to people who want to learn those topics. You'll see them on the Matches page, and they will see you in their own matches.

When someone is interested in learning from you, they can start a chat and send you a session request. Tutors don't send teaching invitations — the learner always initiates.

To understand how this works behind the scenes, read How matching works.

Step 4 — Accepting your first session

When a learner sends you a request, it appears in your chat and in the Calendar → Requests tab. Review the skill, duration and time. If everything looks good, click Accept — the session moves to Upcoming and you're officially their tutor for that call.

If the time doesn't work, you can decline or discuss alternatives in chat and ask them to send a new request.

Step 5 — Build your reputation

Over time, your tutoring history builds your reputation on SkillSwap. Frequent, high-quality sessions help you earn more XP, unlock badges and attract stronger matches. Reviews and public ratings will be added over time to highlight tutors who consistently deliver great sessions.

Tips for being a great tutor

Ask what the learner wants to achieve at the start of each session
Focus on 1–3 concrete topics instead of covering everything
Use examples, screensharing and live problem-solving
End with clear next steps or a short recap

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