Hello everyone,
To become confident in speaking a foreign language, you need to practice speaking as much as you can.
People who are fluent in a second language understand this well.
It’s really the best way to learn a language quickly! But if the language you’re learning isn’t commonly spoken where you live, it can be hard to find chances to practice.
Many language learners solve this by doing online language exchanges.
If you haven’t done one yet, you’re really missing out!
Check out my top 8 recommendations for the best platforms to find a language partner and discover why language exchanges work so well.
Disclaimer: I’ve tried out and checked all the language exchange apps mentioned below.
Even though I’ve made sure the information is accurate, it’s still important for you to do your own research before you sign up, subscribe, or pay for any of these services.
Tandem
Tandem is a really famous language app that helps people practice languages by connecting them with native speakers from all over the world.
It started in 2015 and lots of people like it because it’s easy to use and has a big group of language learners.
Tandem is great because it supports more than 300 languages, so you can learn any language you want!
Features:
Tandem lets users talk to their language partners using text, voice recordings, and video calls.
This helps them practice different languages.
With Tandem, users can help each other fix language mistakes by correcting each other’s messages.
This makes it easier for learners to spot and fix errors.
Tandem has community forums where users can chat about language learning tips, cultural topics, and get advice from other learners.
Tandem has translation tools built-in to help users understand messages in the languages they’re learning.
Users can make their profiles unique by adding their language goals, interests, and how well they speak the language.
This helps them find language partners who are a good match.
Pros:
Tandem has a big group of users from all over the world, giving learners the chance to talk to people who speak different languages.
You can practice speaking, writing, and listening using text, voice, and video messages on the app.
Native speakers can help correct your language mistakes to help you get better at it.
Besides learning languages, Tandem also lets you learn about different cultures and traditions.
The app matches you with other users who have similar language goals, interests, and skills.
While the basic version is free, there are extra features like unlimited translations and priority matching for those who want more.
Cons:
Language partners may not always respond at the same speed because they live in different time zones and have different schedules.
Some users might not be very committed to language exchange, which can result in irregular participation or untrustworthy feedback.
Just like on any social media platform, it’s important to be cautious when sharing personal information or talking to people you don’t know.
Tandem is still a top pick for language learners who want to practice with native speakers from around the world in an interactive way.
HelloTalk
HelloTalk is an app where you can chat with people from different countries to practice speaking, writing, and listening in a new language.
It started in 2012 and lots of people like it because it’s easy to use and has a big group of language learners.
Features:
HelloTalk is a language exchange app that helps people connect with native speakers of the language they want to learn.
You can chat with them using text, voice, or video.
If you’re worried about making mistakes in your messages, don’t worry!
Native speakers can help correct your written messages, so you can improve your grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Sometimes, it can be hard to understand each other if you don’t speak the same language fluently.
But HelloTalk has a translation feature that can help you understand each other’s messages better.
To practice speaking and listening skills, you can also have voice calls with your language partners.
It’s a great way to improve your language skills in real-time.
If you want to share photos, updates, or anything related to language learning, you can use
HelloTalk’s “Moments” feature.
It’s like a community where you can connect with other language learners and share your language journey.
Finding the right language partner is important, and HelloTalk has search filters to help you with that.
You can filter potential language partners based on their language proficiency, location, and interests.
This way, you can find someone who is a good match for you to practice with.
Pros:
HelloTalk has a huge group of people learning languages from all over the world.
This means there are lots of chances to find language partners.
You can learn and practice more than 150 languages on HelloTalk, even ones that aren’t taught as much.
The platform lets you send messages using text, voice, and video, so you can practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
If you make mistakes in your messages, native speakers can help you correct them using special tools.
HelloTalk also promotes cultural exchange, so you can learn about different cultures, traditions, and customs.
Cons:
Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to go through lots of messages and requests because HelloTalk has so many users.
It takes time and effort to manage conversations efficiently.
There might be some spam accounts and inactive users on HelloTalk, just like on other social platforms.
This can make the overall experience less enjoyable.
It’s important to be careful when sharing personal information and talking to strangers online because there are privacy risks.
HelloTalk has some premium features that are only available with a paid subscription.
This might not be ideal for users who want a completely free experience.
Despite these things, HelloTalk is a great platform for language learners to connect with native
speakers and improve their language skills.
Just remember to be mindful of privacy concerns and make the most of your interactions on the platform.
Speaky
Speaky is a cool website that helps people learn languages by talking to native speakers from all over the world.
You can send messages using text, voice, or even video to practice speaking.
And if you make a mistake, there’s a tool that can help you correct it.
You can also join groups and forums based on your interests to get more help and learn about different cultures.
Speaky is really easy to use and has lots of different people to talk to, so it makes learning languages fun and meaningful!
Features:
Speaky helps users find language exchange partners who share their learning goals by matching them based on target language, proficiency level, and interests.
Users can practice speaking, listening, and writing through text, voice, and video chat on the platform.
They can also receive feedback on their language skills from native speakers to improve grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure in real time.
Community forums allow users to ask questions, share resources, and engage in discussions to create a supportive learning environment.
Speaky is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, as well as a desktop version for computer users.
Pros:
Speaky has a lot of different people from all over the world who speak many different languages.
This makes it easier to find someone to practice languages with.
You can use the basic features of Speaky for free, so it’s great for people who don’t have a lot of money.
If you want extra benefits, you can upgrade to a premium membership, but the free version still works well.
Speaky lets you chat with your language exchange partners using text, voice, or video.
You can choose the way that works best for you. Speaky also has tools to help you correct your language mistakes.
Native speakers can give you feedback to help you improve.
Cons:
While Speaky’s basic features are free, advanced features may require a premium membership.
Users using the free version might face restrictions in accessing certain functions.
The quality of language partners on Speaky can vary, making it challenging for some users to find reliable partners or communicate effectively due to different proficiency levels.
Speaky’s activity levels may change over time based on user engagement and updates.
This could impact the availability of language partners and the overall user experience.
Despite this, Speaky is still a popular choice for language learners to practice and connect with native speakers.
ConversationExchange:
ConversationExchange helps people from different countries practice speaking different languages.
You can find someone who speaks the language you want to learn and chat with them using text, voice, or video.
Just search for a language partner who matches your interests and location.
Features:
You can use search filters to find language partners on ConversationExchange.
These filters help you choose partners based on language, location, age, gender, and interests.
There is also a messaging system that lets you talk to potential language partners and plan exchange sessions.
You can create a profile with information about your language skills, interests, and availability to find partners who are compatible with you.
Additionally, there might be a feedback system where you can rate and review your language exchange partners based on your experiences.
If you need help or want to share tips, there are community forums where you can interact with other learners.
Pros:
ConversationExchange has people from all around the world, so you can meet lots of different language partners.
You can search for language partners on ConversationExchange based on what you want, like the language they speak, where they live, and what they’re interested in.
This makes it easier to find someone who matches your preferences. On ConversationExchange, you can chat with your language partner using text, voice, or video.
You can choose the way that works best for you and how you like to learn. ConversationExchange lets you schedule language exchange sessions at times that work for you.
This means you can find partners who are available when it’s convenient for you.
When you talk to native speakers on ConversationExchange, you can also learn about their culture and see things from their perspective.
It’s not just about language practice, but also about understanding different ways of life.
Cons:
Matches can sometimes be hard to find on the platform because there are so many different people to choose from.
It might take some time to talk to a few different people before finding someone who is a good fit.
The people you talk to might have different levels of skill in the language you’re learning, which could affect how well your language exchange sessions go.
It’s important to talk about your goals and expectations with your language partner so that you can have productive conversations.
ConversationExchange is mainly focused on connecting people for language exchange, so it might not have as many extra resources or structured lessons as other platforms.
But overall, it’s a great place to practice your language skills and learn about different cultures.
Lots of people who love languages use ConversationExchange because it has a wide variety of users and different ways to communicate.
Lingbe
Lingbe is a cool app where you can practice languages by talking on the phone with real people. It started in 2016 and lots of people like using it to chat with native speakers.
Let’s check out what it’s good at and what could be better.
Features:
With Lingbe, you can connect instantly with native speakers of your target language through voice calls.
This awesome feature lets you practice speaking and listening skills in a natural and conversational way.
Lingbe works on a points system where you earn credits called “lingos” by helping others practice your native language.
These lingos can then be used to request calls with native speakers of the language you’re learning.
You can filter and set preferences based on your language skills, interests, and topics of conversation.
This ensures that you’re matched with language partners who are compatible and can have meaningful interactions.
Pros
Lingbe has a cool community rating system to keep interactions high-quality.
After calls, you can rate each other, which helps identify reliable and helpful language partners.
Besides language exchange calls, Lingbe also gives you access to language learning resources like grammar guides, vocabulary lists, and pronunciation exercises.
Lingbe lets you practice your language skills in real-time with native speakers, so you can practice speaking anytime and anywhere.
The platform encourages spontaneous conversations, which helps you immerse yourself in the language and culture of your target language.
Lingbe creates a supportive community of language learners and native speakers, giving you opportunities for cultural exchange and making new friends.
You can schedule calls according to your own availability, which is great for learners with busy schedules or irregular study hours.
The points-based reward system motivates you to actively participate in language exchange, creating a win-win situation for language learners.
Cons:
Lingbe might not have as many users for languages that are not commonly taught, making it harder for some people to find language partners.
Just like any other online app, Lingbe needs a good internet connection to work properly, which could be a problem in places with bad Wi-Fi.
Lingbe tries to keep conversations interesting, but how good they are can depend on how well users speak the language and communicate.
It might be tough for users to find language partners who are free to chat at the same time, especially if they live in different time zones.
Users should be careful about sharing personal info and talking to strangers on Lingbe, like they would on any other online platform.
Overall, Lingbe is a cool way for language learners to practice speaking and learn about different cultures from native speakers around the world.
With its special features and community-driven style, Lingbe keeps giving learners chances to improve their language skills and connect with people from different backgrounds.
Bilingua:
Bilingua is a cool language exchange platform that connects people from all over the world who want to learn languages.
It has lots of great features that make it easy to practice and learn languages effectively.
Let me tell you about them!
First, Bilingua uses a special matching algorithm to pair you with the perfect language exchange partner.
It takes into account your language learning goals, interests, how good you are at the language, and when you’re available to practice.
This way, you can find someone who is a good match for you.You can practice languages in different ways on Bilingua.
You can send text messages, have voice calls, or even do video chats with your language exchange partner.
This makes learning languages fun and interactive, and you can choose the way that works best for you.
Bilingua also gives you access to lots of helpful resources to learn languages.
You can find grammar guides, vocabulary lists, and even learn about different cultures.
These resources make your language exchange experience even better and help you understand the language and culture more.
If you have any questions or want to talk about language learning tips, Bilingua has community forums where you can join discussions and ask for help.
It’s a friendly and supportive environment where you can connect with other learners and native speakers.
The best part is that Bilingua is available on different platforms like web browsers and mobile devices.
This means you can practice languages anytime and anywhere. It’s super convenient!
So, Bilingua has a lot of great things going for it.
Pros
The matching algorithm helps you find the perfect language exchange partner, and you can practice languages in different ways.
Plus, there are lots of resources and a supportive community to help you along the way.
The website provides a variety of language learning tools that enhance users’ learning journey and support them in improving their language skills.
Bilingua’s online forums encourage users to interact and work together, creating a sense of community and mutual assistance within the language learning community.
Bilingua’s compatibility across different devices allows users to easily access the platform, making language exchange convenient and flexible.
Drawbacks:
While Bilingua caters to multiple languages, the availability of language partners may be limited based on the user’s chosen language, potentially restricting options for some learners.
Since Bilingua relies on user engagement, some users may struggle to find active language partners, leading to fluctuations in participation levels.
Just like any other online platform, Bilingua may face technical issues at times, affecting the overall user experience.
So, Bilingua offers a comprehensive language exchange platform with effective matching algorithms, diverse communication tools, and valuable learning materials to facilitate meaningful language practice and cultural exchange.
Despite some limitations, it remains a valuable resource for language learners looking to enhance their language skills and connect with native speakers.
LingoGlobe
LingoGlobe is a cool language website that helps people learn languages by talking to native speakers from all over the world.
Let me tell you about some of its cool features.
First, you can chat with your language partner through text or video. This makes it easy to practice speaking and writing in your target language.
You can also find partners who are interested in the same things as you and who are at the same level of proficiency.
It’s like making new friends while learning a new language!
LingoGlobe also has a community where you can join language groups, talk in forums, and share learning materials.
This way, you can get support from other learners and native speakers.
Another cool thing is the advanced search filters. You can search for language partners based on where they live, how old they are, and when they are available to chat.
This makes it easier to find the perfect language partner for you.
LingoGlobe also helps you keep track of your progress. You can set goals and see how much you’ve improved over time.
And if you need extra help, there are lots of articles, videos, and exercises to help you learn.
So, if you want to learn a new language and make friends from around the world, LingoGlobe is the place to be!
The cool search filters on LingoGlobe make it super easy for you to find language partners who match what you’re looking for.
You can choose people who are really good at the language you want to learn and who are available when you are.
It’s like having your own personal language tutor!
LingoGlobe is all about being nice and helpful to each other.
You can ask for advice, share your experiences, and cheer each other on as you learn new languages.
It’s like having a big group of friends who are all learning together!
Cons:
While LingoGlobe lets you do some basic language stuff for free, there are some fancy features that you might have to pay for.
But don’t worry, you can still have fun without them!
Sometimes the LingoGlobe website can be a little confusing.
There are lots of buttons and settings to figure out. But don’t worry, with a little practice, you’ll be a pro at using it!
Sometimes it can be hard to find someone who wants to learn the same language as you or to keep talking to them regularly.
But don’t give up! Keep trying and you’ll find the perfect language partner.
Overall, LingoGlobe is a really great place to practice your language skills with native speakers.
You can meet people from all over the world, talk to them in real-time, and even find resources to help you learn.
It’s like a whole world of language learning right at your fingertips!
italki
italki is an awesome online platform where you can learn different languages.
You can connect with teachers from all over the world who can help you learn the language you want.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced speaker, italki has got you covered.
They started in 2007 and now they’re one of the best platforms for learning languages.
Here are some cool features they offer:
You can search for teachers based on the language you want to learn, how good they are at teaching, their teaching style, how much they charge, and when they’re available.
Once you find a teacher you like, you can easily book lessons and schedule them at times that work for you.
Most lessons happen through video chat platforms like Skype or Zoom. This way, you can see and talk to your teacher face-to-face in real-time.
After each lesson, you can give feedback and rate your teacher. This helps keep the quality of teaching high and helps other students choose their teachers.
Besides formal lessons, italki also has language forums, discussion groups, and language partner searches.
This way, you can practice the language and learn about different cultures outside of lessons.
Here are some reasons why italki is great:
They offer a wide range of languages to learn, from popular ones like English, Spanish, and French to less commonly taught languages.
You get to choose your own teacher based on what you want.
You can pick someone who fits your budget, schedule, teaching style, and what you want to learn.
They have different types of lessons, like one-on-one lessons, group classes, and informal practice sessions.
This way, you can choose the type of lesson that works best for you and your learning goals.
italki lessons are usually cheaper than traditional classes or private tutoring, making language learning more affordable for many people.
Lessons are held online, so there’s no need to travel, and students can choose times that work best for them.
This is great for busy people with packed schedules.
Besides formal lessons, italki has a community where students can practice languages informally, share cultures, and support each other.
Drawbacks:
While italki screens its teachers, the quality of teaching can vary.
Students might need to try a few teachers before finding the right fit.
Since lessons are online, a strong internet connection is a must.
Technical issues can sometimes interrupt learning. italki connects students with teachers and language partners, but students are responsible for their own progress.
This independent style might not suit everyone. Coordinating lesson times across time zones can be tough, especially for students and teachers in different parts of the world.
While italki has many paid options, free resources like language partners and community features are somewhat limited compared to other language exchange platforms.
In general, italki is a really cool website that helps people learn languages.
It’s super easy to use and you can find awesome teachers to help you.
Plus, you can practice speaking with people who actually speak the language you’re learning!
It’s not for everyone, but if you want personalized help with learning a language, italki is a great place to go.
Final thoughts:
So, these are some great language exchange websites and apps for you to try out.
Take the time to test them and do some research to find your favorite.
Once you’ve found the one you like, follow these steps to make the most of your language learning journey:
Whether it’s speaking, reading, or writing, choose a language exchange app that can help you practice and progress in those areas.
It’s important to stick with one app and not constantly switch between different ones.
If you keep jumping around, you’ll never really move past basic greetings like “hello, how are you?”
Make a commitment to use one app over the long term and include it in your study plan.
If possible, try to find native speakers or experienced language tutors to exchange with.
They can provide clearer corrections and teach you common, natural phrases that will greatly improve your language skills.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the amazing opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you are.
