Speaking is one of the most challenging areas for language learners.
It requires not only a good understanding of grammar and vocabulary, but also the ability to use them in real-time conversations. As such, finding a good language tutor who can help you improve your speaking skills is crucial. Fortunately, there are many affordable and high-quality online language tutors available today. With the help of these tutors, language learners can practice speaking with a native speaker, receive personalized feedback, and improve their overall language proficiency. So if you’re struggling with speaking, consider finding an online language tutor to help you reach your language goals.
Speaking can be one of the most daunting aspects of language learning. However, with the help of various language learning apps and platforms, learners can improve their speaking skills. Today, I will be focusing on one such platform, italki.
What is Italki？
Italki is an online language learning platform that connects language learners with language teachers from around the world. It offers a wide range of language courses and lessons, including one-on-one tutoring, group classes, and conversation practice. Italki also provides a community forum where learners can connect with other language learners and practice their language skills through language exchange.
How Much Does italki Cost?
Italki is an online language learning platform that connects language learners with native-speaking tutors from around the world. It offers a wide range of languages to learn, including popular ones like English, Spanish, and French, as well as less commonly taught languages like Swahili and Icelandic. Italki provides a convenient and flexible way to learn a language, as learners can schedule lessons at a time that suits them and from the comfort of their own home. The platform also offers a community of language learners where users can practice their language skills with others and receive feedback from native speakers.
How Many Languages Does italki Offer?
Italki offers a wide range of languages, with over 130 languages currently available. You can find popular languages such as French, German, Spanish, and Russian, as well as rare and endangered languages like Tibetan, Hawaiian, and Azerbaijani. Whether you’re looking to learn a widely spoken language or a less common one, italki has got you covered.
How to use italki to learn？
Set Up Your Profile
Creating your italki account is a simple process, as most of the information is taken care of during sign-up.
Your profile will showcase your name, profile picture, bio, and basic details such as your gender and place of origin.
As you progress, your language skills will be displayed, including your native language and target languages, along with your proficiency level in each.
If you speak multiple languages but aren’t currently learning them, you don’t need to mark them as “learning languages.”
For reference, here’s an example screenshot of an italki review profile。
Find the Right Tutor
After completing your profile, you can commence your search for tutors on italki. Begin by clicking on the “Find a Teacher” tab. Once you do, it will direct you to a page that lists all the available teachers for the language you are learning. If the language you’re interested in learning isn’t currently displayed, you can click on it to access a dropdown menu where you can select a different language and specify the skills you want to practice.
Here’s an overview of the various search options that italki provides:
- Teacher is from: By selecting this tab, you can choose the geographical origin of your prospective tutor. This option is especially useful if you’re learning a specific dialect or accent.
- Speaks: If you prefer your tutor to speak a language other than their native one, you can use this tab. Conversely, you can specify that you want a native speaker.
- Lesson price: You can set your desired price range for your tutor’s hourly rate. The range typically starts at $4 per hour and can go up to $80.
- Lesson time: If you have specific days when you are available for lessons, you can filter the results by clicking “Lesson time.” italki will then display tutors who are available during your preferred times.
- Teacher types: Recall the distinction between Professional Teachers and Community Tutors? You can express your preference by clicking this tab.
- Lesson category: If you want to concentrate on a particular skill, you can inform italki about your preference. Click “Lesson category” to choose from options like General, Business, Test Preparation, Kids, and Conversation Practice.
How to Book Your Lessons
Each tutor’s profile on italki includes an introductory video for you to watch, information about their place of origin, a personal biography, their availability calendar, details about their work experience or resume, student reviews, hourly rates, and various lesson options.
Tutors often provide a variety of lesson types. For instance, a Japanese tutor might offer Conversation Practice, Japanese for Beginners, and Learning with Textbook, where they teach using the “Minna no Nihongo” textbook.
Once you’ve found a tutor that suits your needs, you can proceed to book the lesson of your choice, including the option for a 30-minute trial lesson. After selecting a suitable time, your lesson request will be sent to the tutor for their approval.
How to Pay for the Lesson
italki utilizes a system known as “italki credits” to facilitate payments for lessons. You have the flexibility to purchase any amount of italki credits, which you can then use as needed. Alternatively, you can choose to pay for individual lessons when you decide to book them. In either case, the charge is incurred at the time of purchasing credits or booking the lesson.
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, many tutors offer the option to purchase lessons in bulk at a discounted rate. In this scenario, you will be charged at the time of buying the lesson package.
If an issue arises, and you are unable to complete a lesson due to a reason that is not your fault (e.g., the tutor doesn’t show up), you are eligible for a refund for the class, provided it falls within italki’s guidelines.
How to Attend the Lesson
When you book a lesson, italki gives you the option to select the platform where you’d like to conduct the lesson. You can choose from well-known video chat platforms like Skype, WeChat, Zoom, and others. Alternatively, you can opt for the convenience of italki Classroom.
Regardless of your choice, make sure to be punctual and fully engage in the learning experience with your new tutor for the duration you’ve booked. Enjoy the opportunity to get to know your tutor and enhance your learning journey.
How to Verify the Lesson and Leave Feedback
After your lesson concludes, italki will prompt you to confirm whether it was completed. If, for any reason, the lesson couldn’t take place, such as a last-minute cancellation, teacher unavailability, or a no-show from either party, you can also confirm that it wasn’t completed and subsequently request a credit refund or choose to transfer the credits to the tutor.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you cancel a lesson within 24 hours before the scheduled start time, you are obligated to compensate the tutor to respect their time.
Upon marking the lesson as complete, italki will prompt you to provide a rating for the tutor. Additionally, if you wish, you can leave an optional review. The tutor will also have the opportunity to offer private feedback for you.
Please be aware that if you fail to confirm the completion of the lesson within a certain timeframe, italki will automatically confirm it to ensure that the tutor receives their payment.