How to find a language teacher and learn a language online
In this video, we'll show you how you can find a language teacher on italki.com to learn a foreign language online. Let's get started!
You need to follow 3 steps to get started with language lessons on italki.
The first step is to Find a language teacher and book the lesson on italki.
On italki.com, click Language Teachers, Browse Teachers and sort by the criteria that interests you, such as language and whether you wish for a native speaker.
If you already know your teacher's name, you can Search in the upper righthand corner.
On the teacher's profile page, you can view what language he or she teaches, as well as their italki rating, and whether they've created any courses for that language.
When you're ready to make a reservation, click Request Tutoring.
At this time, if you have not already set up your MyFinance account and added enough credits to pay this teacher, you must do so now.
The next page tells you why you need to create your payment account: in order to book sessions with a teacher, and informs you there are 2 steps. Creating the account, then add money.
When you create your payment account, you will be asked to fill in your personal information, this must be accurate and in accordance with your credit card billing address in order for it to work.
Fill in your name and address. Also, select 3 security questions which are used to verify your account in the future. and hit Submit.
Success! Your payment account has been created. Now you must purchase italki Credits, abbreviated ITC.
On the Purchase Credits page, you will need to select the amount you wish to purchase, and remember 10 italk credits (ITC) equal US$1, so 200 credits is $20.
Then select the payment method. You can choose credit card (such as Mastercard), Paypal, or in China, Alipay.
When that's completed, you're all set to get book sessions or courses with language teachers on italki!
Now you can go back and click Language Teachers, maybe this time you're interested in a language course, which is built around a specific aspect of the language and includes structure and usually multiple lessons.
You can view more details of the course, as well as the teacher by clicking on the course title. When you're ready to book, check the price and make sure you have enough ITC! Then click Book Lesson to book the first lesson in this course.
The next page will lead you to a Session Request, with the course pre-filled in for you, assuming this is what you've chosen. Double check the details here.
You'll need to choose a time for your first lesson. Its best to look at the teacher's schedule and choose a time that the teacher says she is available. This will make her more likely to confirm your request. Please note, the teacher's schedule has already been converted to your local time! So please choose a time that also matches your schedule.
At the bottom of the session request, you'll be asked to enter your PIN code. This is the number you set when you created your payment account. Entering this number will hold the money secure the money for the teacher.
Then click Send.
Session request sent! Now you need to wait for the teacher to accept your request.
If you need to check the session information at anytime, click View the Details to be taken to the session page. You can check the time and get the teacher's skype name or other contact information.
You can view the sessions from your Home page. Before the teacher confirms the session, you can still cancel; however, once the teacher has confirmed, you are bound to the terms you set forth in the session request.
Here's a Tip--Make sure you give the teacher adequeate time to confirm your session by booking far enough in advance.
Step 2! Now you're ready to start your online lesson
Before the session begins, go to the session detail page and copy the teacher's contact information. This will probably be a Skype ID.
Then sign into your Skype account and add the teacher to your friends list.
When its time for your session to begin, send a message to the teacher and get ready to talk. Make sure you have a microphone and know how to chat online. If you've agreed to do video chat, also set up your webcam and check that you know how to use video on Skype.
Now you're ready for the session to begin. The teacher may correct your pronuciation or teach you new words. You may want to have some easy way to take notes about what you're learning. You may take notes by hand or type them into a notepad document on the computer. But don't get too busy taking notes that you forget to listen to the teacher.
Just a reminder sign into the IM account you've agreed to connect with the teacher on, such as Skype, MSN, or GTalk.
Also, make sure you check your microphone and webcam before the session begins so that its working properly and you know how to use it.
Step 3 - The final step! After the session is over, don't forget to leave feedback and release the payment to the teacher.
On your homepage, you will see a notice that says, Pending Confirmation and ask that you confirm the session has been completed. Click view details to do so.
On the next page you will see the information from your session and you should click Session Completed. If you have a reason to dispute the session, you can click Request Refund--this should only be used in very rare incidences.
Now leave feedback for your teacher covering 3 different criteria, Professionalism, Knowledgeable, and Helpfulness. In each category you can choose a 1-5 ranking, with 5 being Excellent. Then you can leave additional comments so that others know what you liked about this teacher.
Finally input your PIN number one more time so that italki knows to send the money to the teacher.
Alright! Session completed
Just a further word on the feedback. There are 3 types. First is professional; this is Objective rating, not concerning language or teaching skill. A question of whether the teacher do what she said she would do?
Second, Knowledgeable - this is also an Objective measure, relating to teacher's expertise. Does the teacher know what she is talking about?
Third - Helpful - This is a Subjective measure, based on your experience.
Was the lesson helpful to you?
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For learning: German
Base language: German
Category: Uncategorized
