Italki

Italki is an online language-learning marketplace where learners find and book lessons with native-speaking teachers from around the world. Rather than locking users into a subscription or a rigid schedule, italki lets them choose their own teachers and lesson times, addressing the common frustration of app-based learning that never leads to real conversation.

Key Features

• 1-on-1 lessons with native teachers: Browse a marketplace of 20,000+ teachers across 150+ languages, including English, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, French, Italian, German, and more, and pick a teacher whose style and curriculum fit your goals.
• Two teacher types: Professional teachers bring proven teaching experience and qualifications, while community tutors are passionate language-lovers who share their knowledge.
• Group classes: Fun, engaging online group classes designed and led by expert teachers.
• Flexible scheduling and lesson lengths: Book 30-, 45-, or 90-minute sessions, take as many lessons a week as you and your teacher have time for, and grab an Instant Lesson when you want to start right away.
• Free practice tools: Build vocabulary with word sets, train your ear with podcasts, test yourself with quizzes and prompts, and take a free language assessment to check your level.
• Community: Meet and share experiences with millions of learners from more than 190 countries by posting and receiving feedback.

Typical Use Cases

• Conversation practice: A learner who has studied with an app but wants to actually speak books a 1-on-1 lesson with a native teacher and practices at their own level.
• Budget-conscious study: Because teachers set their own prices and lessons are pay-as-you-go, learners can compare rates (lessons on the site start from a few dollars) and choose what fits their budget.
• Self-directed learning: Learners who prefer to study without a teacher use vocabulary sets, podcasts, prompts, and quizzes to build skills independently.
• Level assessment: A learner unsure of their current ability takes the free assessment in their target language to gauge where they stand.

How It Works

1. Browse the teacher marketplace and filter by language, teacher type, price, and availability.
2. Choose a teacher and book a 1-on-1 lesson at a time that suits you, or join a group class.
3. Pay per lesson based on the teacher's own price, with no subscription commitment.
4. Supplement lessons with free community content, podcasts, vocabulary sets, and quizzes.

Who It's For

Italki suits language learners of all levels and learning styles who want real conversation with native speakers rather than only app-based drills. It also appeals to self-directed learners who want free practice tools and a community, and to language teachers—both qualified professionals and enthusiastic community tutors—who want to offer lessons.

Italki gives learners flexible, pay-as-you-go access to native-speaking teachers and free practice resources, making it a practical choice for anyone serious about speaking a new language.