italki is an online language-learning platform that connects you with fluent speakers and teachers at a very low cost — here's how it helped me practice and learn a new language faster

The process of learning and mastering a new language is a winding journey that isn't only about memorizing proper spelling, pronunciation, and grammar rules.
Italki, an online platform for language learners around the world, adds the element of real human-taught lessons and interactions in order to help you practice any one of more than 130 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, German, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese.
The teachers on the site include professionally certified foreign language instructors as well as informal tutors. The online lessons are affordable, starting at just $4 an hour, and they can be booked according to your own schedule.
Read more: 15 affordable or free resources to learn Korean online — including Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and Coursera
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We've all heard that learning another language is valuable, but more often than not, it's framed as a business skill. That the knowledge of another language opens up countless opportunities for your career isn't untrue — of course it'll give you a leg up in the global marketplace. But language isn't only about expanding your international offices or serving an international customer base.

What frustrated language learners need to understand is that learning another language isn't a means to an end. The process isn't only about memorizing the proper spelling and sentence structure needed to complete a transaction — any learner who relied on pure memorization to ace their high school language classes but was unable to last even a few hours in the country where that language is spoken would recognize this. Instead, it's about understanding the larger role language plays in human connection, because you can't separate language from people or their culture.

This emphasis on human connection is what online language learning platform italki focuses on, and why it uses a different strategy than gamification to teach languages to its users. italki connects five million language learners with over 10,000 teachers through one-on-one lessons.

italki was born out of co-founder Kevin Chen's own experience and struggle with learning Chinese. It wasn't until he traveled to China and studied Chinese there that he truly learned the language. The big difference was using it in real conversations.

Jumping from textbooks to real life is undoubtedly scary. No one likes making mistakes or feeling embarrassed, but italki eases you into the process by facilitating lessons and conversations with native and fluent speakers. Especially during a pandemic, it can help you easily and safely connect with people from all over the world, and at your own pace and schedule.

While the top 10 languages learned on the site are English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, German, Italian, Russian, Korean, and Portuguese, Italki has also helped revive interest in endangered or vulnerable languages like Basque and Blackfoot.

Here's how italki works:

The signup process is just a few short steps. Once you choose what language you'd like to learn, the site takes you to a list of available teachers.

You can choose from two different types of teachers: professional teachers, who are certified in foreign language instruction, and community tutors, who are native or advanced teachers and can offer a more informal teaching experience.

You'll see their hourly rates, video introduction, and upcoming availability, and you can filter the teacher options by country of origin, hourly rate (starting at just $4), type of language instruction (e.g. business, test preparation), and other characteristics.

Click into each teacher profile to learn more about what to expect.

Their profile contains a video introduction, more about their teaching style, individual lesson details, and testimonials from other Italki users.

After you've shopped around and found a suitable teacher, click 'Book Now' to choose a lesson type and find a suitable appointment time.

If you're not sure whether you'll like the teacher, or if you want to continue using the site at all, take advantage of your three 30-minute trial lessons when you first sign up. These lessons are offered at discounted rates so you can explore different types of teachers without the commitment.

If you decide to stick with a teacher, you can save a little money by choosing a bundled package of lessons.

Pick a lesson time and preferred mode of communication, and you'll be ready to go.

The great part about online learning is that you complete lessons on your own terms and according to your own schedule. You can check whether your schedule will align with the teacher's availability.

To communicate with your teacher, you can use italki Classroom, which is italki's own tool that works on most browsers, or Skype.

Practice is important for retaining the information you learned in your lessons. Outside of regular classes, you can further develop your skills through the notebook feature.

Learning through mistakes is one of the best ways to learn a language, so don't be afraid to practice your writing and share it with the italki community. Other members can view your entry and help you with any corrections or comments.

Another way to stay engaged is to get to know fellow language learners through the discussion forum.

You can postanything: language partner requests, grammar and language help, and questions about cultural differences.

Download the apps to make your learning truly on-the-go.

You can video chat or call your teachers from anywhere, so you're not limited to sitting in front of your laptop at home. Search for teachers, schedule lessons, and control your experience through the app.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.italki.app&hl=en

Need some inspiration and motivation? These testimonials from italki students prove the power of the platform.

From a story from a Korean adoptee in Hawaii who struggled with her identity and heritage before she learned Korean, to a testimonial from a 61-year-old retiree who learned Spanish and planned a trip to Barcelona with friends he found through italki, the stories from students show how learning a new language can change your life.

Teachers also love the platform for allowing them to meet people from all over the world and exchange ideas, interests, and dreams.

The bottom line

When you learn a language through italki, you gain the skills and confidence necessary to communicate with anybody. If your goal this year is to become a more confident foreign language speaker, I'd suggest taking a class on the site.