Italki Review: Characteristics, Costs, and Benefits
italki is a language learning platform that connects language learners with native language teachers, worldwide.
This language learning tool offers 1-on-1 lessons via professional teachers or community tutors. At the time of writing, italki has a community of ~3,000,000 language learners and more than ~5,000 language teachers worldwide.
You can sign up as a language learner and/or as a language teacher if you want to make some extra money. For the sake of this italki review article, we will analyze how you can learn a language with italki, explaining its characteristics, costs, and particularities.
What is italki?
The main attraction of italki consists of its live language learning sessions, which are conducted through personal, 1-on-1 interactions over Skype or any other video chat software.
In addition to such live lessons, italki provides a range of language learning resources, which include informative articles as well as other community support channels. The platform offers over 100 languages to choose from, ranging from Chinese to French and nearly everything in between. The following are the most popular languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- English
- French
- German
- Hindi
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
How Does italki Work?
Italki employs a student-focused learning approach. It provides learners with the freedom to determine their preferred learning methods. Language learners can opt for either professional teachers or community tutors, each catering to different needs.
- Professional tutors are best suited for students who are new to a language, laying the foundational groundwork for language acquisition. To be registered as a professional tutor, one must possess a degree or certificate in education.
- Community tutors, on the other hand, assist advanced students in gaining a deeper understanding of the language's complexities and its everyday usage. Engaging a community tutor aids in immersion and reaching native-level proficiency.
Lessons are tailored to individual needs and preferences rather than following a standardized learning path.
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How Much Does italki Cost?
italki lets you pay per lesson. With this language study method, there are no tuition fees or long-term commitments. You can study at your own pace (and budget), and structure your own learning experience accordingly. Italki provides you with the possibility of picking a tutor based on your availability. Studying with italki gives you good flexibility in terms of what, when, and where you want to learn.
Scheduling a Lesson
To schedule a lesson, follow these steps:
- Find a Teacher: Choose a tutor based on language, availability, and hourly rate.
- Select a Date and Time: Create a learning schedule that suits you.
- Connect: Once a tutor and schedule are chosen, join the meeting via Skype or another video chat app.
italki Community
Beyond 1-on-1 tutoring, italki provides additional language learning resources, including:
- Articles: Read articles on language learning to reinforce knowledge during spare time.
- Notebook: Practice writing sentences in the target language and receive feedback and corrections.
- Answers: Ask questions or contribute answers about the language you're learning.
- Language Exchange and Discussions: Interact with italki's language learning community.
Summary
italki's student-centric approach grants learners control over their learning process, allowing customization of how, what, and when they learn. With a wide selection of languages and thousands of teachers available, italki offers a convenient solution for both students and professionals seeking to learn a new language. The platform enables learning wherever, whenever, and however one desires.