Italki

italki is an online language learning platform which connects language learners and teachers through video chat. The site allows students to find online teachers for 1-on-1 tutoring, and teachers to earn money as freelance tutors. italki is headquartered in Hong Kong, China.^[1]

History

italki started in 2007. The founders are Kevin Chen and Yongyue Jiang. At first, it worked like a community for language learners. Later, it became a paid marketplace for live one-to-one lessons.^[2] Early news stories called it a Shanghai-based social network for people who learn languages.^[3]

Products and services

italki is an online marketplace for one-to-one lessons by video. Teachers set prices and times. Learners can choose “professional teachers” or “community tutors” and can filter by price, country, and lesson type.^[4]^[5]

Reception

In 2012, The Independent named italki on its list of “10 best language products.”^[6]

This short article can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.

↑ Chen, Connie. "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". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
↑ Lee, Emma (27 May 2015). "Building A Global Language Learning Company In China: Italki Founder". TechNode. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
↑ "Social networking sites take language learning out of classroom". South China Morning Post. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
↑ "Can I successfully learn a language online?". The Guardian. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
↑ Chen, Connie (7 December 2020). "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". Insider (Business Insider). Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
↑ Muston, Samuel (9 May 2012). "The 10 best language products". The Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[1] Chen, Connie. "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". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2025-09-18.

[2] Lee, Emma (27 May 2015). "Building A Global Language Learning Company In China: Italki Founder". TechNode. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[3] "Social networking sites take language learning out of classroom". South China Morning Post. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[4] "Can I successfully learn a language online?". The Guardian. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[5] Chen, Connie (7 December 2020). "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". Insider (Business Insider). Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[6] Muston, Samuel (9 May 2012). "The 10 best language products". The Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]