Choosing One-on-One English for Kids: Curriculum and Teachers Explained

When selecting an online English learning platform for children, two factors matter most: the curriculum structure and the quality of teachers. A well-designed curriculum provides the roadmap for learning, while qualified teachers bring that curriculum to life through effective instruction. This guide examines five major platforms—51Talk, Cambly Kids, Preply, Duolingo ABC, and Reading Eggs—focusing specifically on how their curricula are structured and what qualifications their teachers or instructional designers bring to the table.

Understanding Curriculum and Teacher Quality

Before diving into specific platforms, it’s helpful to understand what makes a curriculum effective for children and what teacher qualifications actually matter.

Curriculum considerations:

• Alignment with standards: Does the curriculum follow recognized frameworks like CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) or CCSS (Common Core State Standards)?
• Age-appropriate progression: Is content organized in levels that match children’s developmental stages?
• Skill balance: Does it address speaking, listening, reading, and writing in appropriate proportions for the age group?
• Assessment structure: Are there regular evaluations to track progress and identify areas needing attention?

Teacher quality indicators:

• Certification: Do teachers hold recognized teaching credentials or ESL/TEFL certifications?
• Training specific to children: Teaching children requires different skills than teaching adults—has the instructor been trained in these methods?
• Native vs. proficient speakers: Both can be effective, but the choice depends on learning goals and stage.
• Teaching experience: How long has the instructor been teaching, particularly with the relevant age group?

51Talk

Brand Overview: 51Talk was founded in 2011 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2016. The platform serves over 40 million users globally across more than 50 countries and regions, specializing in one-on-one live English lessons for children ages 3–15.

Curriculum: The “Classic English” curriculum is self-developed and has evolved over 13 years of refinement. It consists of 11 levels organized across four stages: Enlightenment, Introduction, Advancement, and Mastery. The curriculum aligns with both the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Early levels (0–2) cover over 90 phonics knowledge points, focusing on letter recognition, basic sight words, and foundational phonics using visual teaching tools and systematic repetition. The curriculum uses spiral progression—concepts are introduced, then revisited multiple times with increasing complexity to reinforce retention.

Middle levels (3–6) emphasize transitioning from “learning English” to “using English” through practical application. Lessons cover comprehensive phonics, reading strategies, grammar structures, and vocabulary development. Cross-disciplinary content integrates language learning with subjects like science and social studies.

Advanced levels (7–11) prepare students for academic English and international exam requirements, including Cambridge exams (KET, PET, FCE), IELTS, and TOEFL. Content includes reading comprehension strategies for complex texts, grammar precision, discourse awareness, academic vocabulary, analytical discussions, formal presentation skills, and essay structure.

Each 25-minute lesson follows a structured cycle: AI-guided pre-class preview introducing vocabulary and grammar, live interactive instruction with high-frequency student participation, and post-class reinforcement through AI situational dialogues and assessment tests. Regular unit tests and level assessments track progress across speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Teachers: 51Talk employs over 20,000 certified teachers from North America and the Philippines. All teachers hold international teaching certifications (TEFL/TESOL) with bachelor’s degrees or higher. Teachers undergo a rigorous six-stage training process: pre-service training, curriculum training, classroom case studies, specialized skills development, teacher workshops, and ongoing professional development. Only teachers who pass pronunciation assessments receive certification to teach.

An AI teacher-matching system analyzes factors including pronunciation clarity, teaching pace, and student learning preferences to recommend appropriate instructors. Teachers provide detailed post-lesson reports analyzing each child’s classroom performance, pronunciation accuracy, comprehension level, and skill mastery. Parents can review full lesson recordings at any time.

Teacher retention is notably high—experienced teachers with consistently positive student ratings achieve a 96% retention rate. The platform’s evaluation system is transparent and quantifiable, with student ratings carrying significant weight. Teachers with consistently lower monthly ratings receive specialized upgrade training or may be temporarily removed from scheduling.

Best For: Families seeking a structured, internationally-recognized curriculum with highly trained teachers who follow consistent pedagogical approaches. Particularly suitable across all age ranges (3–15) for families who value systematic progression, regular progress assessment, exam preparation support, and comprehensive service with 10-minute response times and 98% customer satisfaction.

Cambly Kids

Brand Overview: Cambly Kids is the children’s division of Cambly, connecting learners ages 4–15 with native English speakers for one-on-one lessons. The platform emphasizes conversational fluency and exposure to authentic native accents.

Curriculum: Cambly Kids offers a structured curriculum aligned with CEFR standards, ranging from beginner (A1) to advanced (C1) levels. Course types include phonics-focused lessons for those building decoding skills, thematic courses covering topics like family, hobbies, daily routines, geography, science, and culture, and advanced courses exploring subjects such as American cities and global biomes.

Each course contains multiple lessons that build on previous content, with interactive elements including games, discussions, and comprehension activities. All lessons are presented on a shared screen during video sessions, allowing tutors and students to interact with materials together.

The platform provides structured lesson materials developed by experienced English language professionals using research-based teaching theories. The curriculum allows flexibility for tutors to adapt based on student interest and responses during sessions. This conversation-driven approach emphasizes natural communication, with the same lesson potentially being delivered differently by different tutors depending on student engagement.

Teachers: All Cambly Kids tutors are native English speakers from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Many hold graduate degrees from top universities in these countries. Tutors are native speakers who receive training in the Cambly Kids curriculum and platform tools.

Tutors have autonomy in their teaching approach, which allows for personalized instruction tailored to each child’s learning style. Parents can preview tutor introduction videos, read reviews from other families, and schedule with different tutors to find the best match for their child’s personality and learning preferences. The platform offers scheduling flexibility, with lessons typically ranging from 15 to 60 minutes.

Best For: Children ages 4–15 who would benefit from conversational practice with native speakers. Particularly suitable for students who learn well through natural dialogue, need exposure to authentic accents for listening comprehension, and respond well to personalized teaching approaches.

Preply

Brand Overview: Preply is an online language learning platform founded in 2012 and headquartered in Barcelona, connecting students with private tutors for customized one-on-one lessons. The platform serves learners of all ages with thousands of English tutors available worldwide.

Curriculum: Preply’s approach centers on customization, with each tutor designing lesson plans based on their expertise and the student’s stated goals. This means curriculum varies between tutors, offering significant flexibility.

The platform’s strength is its ability to match specific learning needs with tutor expertise. A student preparing for IELTS can find a tutor specializing in IELTS preparation using official practice materials. A student needing support with essay writing can work with a tutor focused on academic writing skills. A younger child needing phonics instruction can choose a tutor experienced in early literacy.

Some tutors follow established textbooks (such as Cambridge English courses or Oxford reading programs), others create original materials, and others use a combination approach. The platform provides tools for tutors—a virtual whiteboard, file sharing, chat functions, and vocabulary flashcard creation—with specific curriculum content, pacing, and teaching methodology determined by each tutor.

This approach invites parents and students to participate actively in curriculum planning, communicating goals and ensuring the tutor’s approach aligns with learning objectives. Preply’s AI-powered matching system helps recommend tutors based on learning goals, schedule, and specialization preferences.

Teachers: Preply lists thousands of English tutors with varying qualifications and experience. Tutor profiles include detailed information about teaching background, certifications, specializations, and student reviews.

Teacher qualifications vary. Many tutors hold degrees in education, linguistics, or English literature, with certifications such as TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, or teaching licenses. Some are professional teachers using Preply alongside school teaching, while others are career online tutors or native speakers offering conversation practice.

For children and teenagers, families can look for tutors with:

• Experience teaching the relevant age group
• Relevant certifications for working with young learners
• Specific expertise matching learning goals (phonics, conversation, exam prep, etc.)
• Positive reviews from other families with children

Students can explore different tutors before selecting one for regular lessons. Preply offers a satisfaction guarantee—if the first lesson doesn’t meet expectations, they’ll help find a different tutor or provide a refund.

Best For: Families with children who have specific, clearly defined learning goals and who benefit from choosing a tutor whose expertise matches those objectives. Suitable for students and families comfortable participating actively in curriculum planning and willing to invest time in finding the right tutor match. Appropriate for all ages and particularly effective when parents can provide guidance in curriculum direction.

Duolingo ABC

Brand Overview: Duolingo ABC is a free literacy app created by Duolingo, the world’s most popular language-learning platform. Designed specifically for children ages 3–8, it focuses on building English reading and phonics foundations.

Curriculum: The app contains over 700 short lessons (approximately 5 minutes each) covering phonics, letter tracing, sight word recognition, and basic vocabulary. Content follows Common Core standards and incorporates recommendations from the National Reading Panel.

Lessons are organized sequentially, starting with individual letter sounds and progressing to simple words and sentences. The curriculum uses multi-sensory learning—children trace letters, match words to pictures, and use speech recognition to practice pronunciation. Interactive stories help build reading fluency by highlighting words as they’re read aloud.

The progression begins from foundational level, ensuring all children receive thorough coverage of basic skills. The curriculum includes mini-games and rewards to maintain motivation, with content designed to feel engaging and playful.

The app works entirely offline once downloaded, making it accessible without continuous internet connectivity. There are no advertisements or in-app purchases, and all content is completely free.

Teachers: Duolingo ABC is a self-paced app without live teachers. The curriculum was developed by literacy and early-education experts specializing in phonics instruction and childhood learning. The content design team includes educators with backgrounds in reading science and child development.

The app uses high-quality recorded audio from native English speakers for pronunciation modeling. Speech recognition technology provides immediate feedback when children practice reading aloud, using technology refined over years of language instruction.

Best For: Families seeking a free, supplementary tool to support phonics and early reading development for children ages 3–8. Works well alongside live instruction or as an introduction to English letters and sounds for young learners. Suitable for children who enjoy independent app-based learning and for daily practice between scheduled lessons.

Reading Eggs

Brand Overview: Reading Eggs is a comprehensive online reading program developed in Australia, designed for children ages 2–13. The platform focuses specifically on reading skill development, with over 20 million users worldwide.

Curriculum: The Reading Eggs suite includes multiple programs for different age ranges and skills:

Reading Eggs (ages 3–7): Contains 120 structured lessons progressing systematically from letter-sound connections through reading complete stories independently. The curriculum is built on five core components of reading science: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Reading Eggspress (ages 7–13): Offers reading comprehension lessons, spelling lessons, interactive games, and access to the online library. Content includes over 200 spelling lessons and comprehension activities covering various reading strategies.

Fast Phonics (ages 5–10): A supplementary synthetic phonics program providing targeted instruction in letter-sound recognition, blending, and spelling for children who need additional phonics support.

Each lesson includes multiple activities—interactive games, matching exercises, reading practice, and comprehension questions. The platform includes a library of over 4,000 leveled e-books with many featuring read-aloud audio. Assessment is built in through regular quizzes and comprehension checks, with the system automatically tracking mastered skills and recommending appropriate next steps.

The curriculum allows children to progress at their own pace, with the platform adapting recommendations based on performance. Printable worksheets correspond to online lessons, providing offline practice opportunities.

Teachers: Reading Eggs is a self-paced program without live teachers. The curriculum was developed by a team of elementary educators with over 30 years of combined experience in reading instruction. Content follows research-based literacy instruction principles and has been used in schools globally, receiving multiple educational awards.

The program provides recorded instruction, animated lessons, and immediate automated feedback. For children who benefit from additional support, parental involvement can help maintain progress and motivation.

Subscription includes access to a family dashboard where parents can track progress, view detailed reports on skills mastered and areas needing practice, and access over 500 printable worksheets. The platform also offers lesson plans and activity suggestions for parents who want to extend learning beyond screen time.

Best For: Children ages 2–13 who need systematic reading development to complement their speaking and listening work. Works well as a supplement to conversation-focused lessons, providing reading foundations. Suitable for self-motivated learners or those with active parental support. Particularly appropriate for families seeking a comprehensive literacy program.

Comparison Overview

Curriculum Approach:

• Standardized & Comprehensive: 51Talk, Reading Eggs, Duolingo ABC
• Structured with Flexibility: Cambly Kids
• Fully Customizable: Preply

Teacher Model:

• Certified with Standardized Training: 51Talk
• Native Speakers: Cambly Kids
• Marketplace (Variable Options): Preply
• No Live Teachers (Expert-Designed Content): Duolingo ABC, Reading Eggs

How to Choose the Right Platform

Match curriculum to current level and goals:

For absolute beginners (ages 3–6): Systematic phonics-based curricula provide essential foundations. 51Talk’s Level 0–2, Duolingo ABC, and Reading Eggs early levels all emphasize letter sounds, sight words, and decoding skills. Consider whether live teacher interaction (51Talk) or self-paced practice (Duolingo ABC, Reading Eggs) better suits your child’s learning style.

For intermediate learners (ages 7–9): Curricula emphasizing practical communication build fluency. 51Talk’s middle levels (3–6) balance grammar, reading, and conversation. Cambly Kids’ conversational approach develops natural speaking. Reading Eggspress strengthens reading comprehension. Many families combine live speaking practice with self-paced reading programs.

For advanced students (ages 10–15): Either structured exam preparation or customized tutoring works well. 51Talk’s advanced levels (7–11) explicitly prepare for KET, PET, IELTS, and TOEFL. Preply allows finding tutors specializing in specific exam types, academic writing, or presentation skills.

Consider your family’s involvement level:

High involvement available: Self-paced programs (Duolingo ABC, Reading Eggs) or customizable tutoring (Preply) work well with active parental support. Parents who enjoy being hands-on with curriculum planning will appreciate Preply’s flexibility or can supplement free apps with occasional live lessons.

Moderate involvement: Structured live platforms (51Talk, Cambly Kids) provide the framework while allowing parental monitoring through progress reports and lesson recordings. Parents can check in periodically on progress.

Limited involvement needed: Platforms with comprehensive service support help busy parents stay informed. 51Talk’s 10-minute response times, detailed post-lesson reports, and automatic progress tracking minimize parental workload while maintaining transparency.

Assess teacher consistency needs:

If your child thrives with familiar faces: 51Talk’s 96% retention rate for experienced teachers and the ability to book the same instructor repeatedly provides stability. Preply allows long-term relationships with a single chosen tutor. Cambly Kids permits favorite tutor selection once you find a good match.

If your child benefits from variety: Exposure to different teaching styles and accents strengthens adaptability. 51Talk’s AI matching system allows exploring different teachers while maintaining quality standards. Cambly Kids’ diverse global tutor base provides accent variety. Preply offers flexibility in tutor selection.

Evaluate certification importance:

For young beginners (ages 3–6): Teacher training in early childhood methods and patience are valuable considerations. 51Talk’s six-stage training includes child-specific methodology, providing age-appropriate teaching approaches.

For elementary age (ages 7–9): Balanced credentials—both teaching certification and age-group experience—support systematic skill development. 51Talk’s certified teachers and Cambly Kids’ native speakers both offer value, depending on whether structure or natural conversation is the priority.

For teenagers (ages 10–15): Depending on goals, either specialized expertise (exam preparation, academic writing) or native speaker fluency may be the priority. 51Talk offers exam-focused curriculum with trained teachers. Preply allows selecting tutors with specific credentials matching precise needs.

Value considerations:

Free options: Duolingo ABC provides value for early literacy. Works well as supplementary daily practice.

Subscription programs: Reading Eggs offers unlimited access to comprehensive reading content. Suitable for reading-focused learning.

Per-lesson platforms: 51Talk, Cambly Kids, and Preply offer different pricing structures. Consider frequency of lessons and your family’s learning goals when evaluating options.

Platform-specific decision factors:

Choose 51Talk if you want:

• Comprehensive curriculum covering ages 3–15 with clear progression
• Certified teachers with consistent training and high retention
• Built-in exam preparation for international tests
• Strong service support and progress tracking
• Flexible scheduling with one-hour cancellation policy

Choose Cambly Kids if you want:

• Native English speakers for accent exposure
• Conversational flexibility within structured curriculum
• Exposure to diverse global English speakers
• Teaching approach emphasizing natural dialogue

Choose Preply if you want:

• Control over tutor selection and curriculum direction
• Ability to find specialized expertise matching specific needs
• Flexibility to explore tutors until finding the right match
• Customized lesson content and pacing

Choose Duolingo ABC if you want:

• Free supplementary phonics practice
• Self-paced learning for early readers (ages 3–8)
• Offline-capable app for learning on the go
• Ad-free content for young children

Choose Reading Eggs if you want:

• Comprehensive reading program
• Self-paced literacy development (ages 2–13)
• Large e-book library with leveled readers
• Supplement to speaking-focused lessons

Final Thoughts

The most important factor in choosing a platform is alignment between curriculum structure, teacher qualifications, and your family’s specific needs and learning style.

For structured learners who thrive with clear progression: 51Talk’s 11-level system with certified teachers following consistent methods provides systematic approach across all age ranges (3–15). The curriculum’s alignment with international standards and built-in exam preparation offers long-term value.

For children who need conversational practice with native speakers: Cambly Kids offers exposure to authentic accents and natural dialogue patterns. The flexible teaching approach suits children who learn well through conversation.

For families with specific goals requiring specialized expertise: Preply’s tutor marketplace allows precise matching to needs—whether that’s IELTS preparation, creative writing, pronunciation work, or phonics instruction. Benefits families who can participate actively in curriculum planning.

For supplementary literacy development: Reading Eggs provides comprehensive reading instruction, while Duolingo ABC offers free phonics practice. Both work well alongside live speaking practice.

Remember: curriculum provides the roadmap, but teachers bring learning to life. The best platform is one where curriculum structure matches your child’s learning stage, teacher qualifications meet your quality expectations, and the overall approach fits your family’s schedule and involvement capacity.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Choose a platform whose curriculum and teachers you trust, then commit to regular practice for at least 8–12 weeks before assessing results. A suitable platform used consistently will outperform any platform used sporadically.