How does the italki work?

The app has two ways for you to learn a language with native speakers or with non-native language teachers.

with teachers

A teacher is always a teacher. As much as the process of learning a language depends on you, a native teacher in the language you are learning will undoubtedly help you a lot to identify and guide you in your greatest difficulties, such as:

Improve the quality of your pronunciation.

Help you with grammar.

Offer study materials that are interesting for your level.

Possibility of having a fixed class schedule, ensuring that you always have a study routine to practice the language you are studying.

In addition to the advantages, as being online, the value of classes is generally lower than that of teachers who teach in person.

with non-professionals

On italki you also have the possibility to chat in the language you are learning with people who are not professional teachers. What does that mean? They are 'normal' people who also charge a fee for these classes.

There are many non-professionals on italki who will give you lessons just as good as teachers - and generally the lessons are cheaper.

Unpaid: Making exchanges with those who want to learn their native language (Language Exchange)

This is called a Language Exchange, and as the name implies, it's an exchange.

You will find someone who speaks the language you are learning and wants to learn your native language.

You just need a computer/smartphone and a good internet for that and you can do it from anywhere, from the comfort of your home, and learn any language.

Each one speaks, for example, 30 minutes in the language they are learning. Or more, if the conversation is cool. Why not?

This is how the process of learning a language should look like: It's fun. In other words, you need to find people who have a similar profile to yours, with the same interests, so that the conversation becomes interesting.

Here are some fundamental tips for you to find the ideal partner on italki:

The characteristics of an ideal partner to do Language Exchange must have (and even must also be yours!):

Be patient: You are learning, you will make mistakes, sometimes you will be nervous to speak. Nothing better than having someone patient on the other side. This will make the conversation much more relaxed. Access this post with tips that will make you lose the fear of speaking a foreign language.

Be someone who listens: In a one-hour chat, for example, each person will speak for 30 minutes in the language they are learning. It cannot be a chatterbox, they must both speak and listen.

Having similar tastes: This will make the conversation easier and more interesting. Imagine talking about a completely boring subject for you. It won't last. So, as in real life, the ideal is to find a partner who has similar tastes to yours, this will make the relationship between you stronger.

Be available: Ideally, you should talk all week. Therefore, the ideal is that you are available and book in advance. Choose a day and time of the week to always be followed. If the conversation is interesting, you will even talk at other times, days etc, but the ideal is always to have something scheduled.