Many people want to learn new languages, and this has become easy thanks to the mobile phone applications that are easily available, and one of the oldest of these applications is the HelloTalk application, which helps users learn languages through practice and conversation with native speakers, but it is an application suitable for advanced language learners and not beginners.
What is the HelloTalk application?
Simply put, HelloTalk is an application that helps you practice language speaking skills, as it connects fluent speakers of the language with beginners and vice versa, so it is different from other language learning applications.
The application was founded in 2012 and today it is one of the most famous language exchange applications around the world, and more than 200 countries can access this application to learn more than 150 languages through conversation, this application works to connect users with language speakers around the world.
The main goal of this application is to connect people with native speakers of the language and gain direct knowledge of any language, you will not be able to learn except by interacting with other users.
How to use HelloTalk
HelloTalk works very simple, the first thing you need to do is sign up for an account on the platform’s official website and you can sign up in a few easy steps.
Read:Learn German language with audio and picturesYou can also visit your device’s app store and install the HelloTalk app and then complete the registration process.
After registering, fill in your basic details including profile picture, gender, country, native language, learning language and current language level, then proceed to submit this data. When you’re done, you’ve successfully created an account.
After creating your profile, you may decide to proceed to complete other details or start searching for partners right away. The process of finding language partners is fairly easy.
HelloTalk Features
The main features of HelloTalk include:
Comprehensive search functionality
The main goal of HelloTalk is to bring you closer to people who speak your target language in different parts of the world. The app allows you to communicate with anyone in any part of the world in a few easy steps.
Choose more than one language to learn
When you sign up for HelloTalk, you will be asked to enter your native language and the target language you intend to learn. If you are using a free account, you will only be allowed to choose one target language.
However, premium users will be able to choose up to 3 target languages. Once you have selected your native language and target language, you can proceed to search for partners to communicate with. You may decide to speak with someone close to you or someone who currently resides in another country.
Read:The best app for learning the German language with audioChat and Translation Services
Like other leading alternatives in the same category, HelloTalk has a messaging function. This messaging app allows users to chat and interact with different users on the platform. Using this app, it is possible to share messages, emojis, and your geographic location with your language exchange partner.
Automatic Translation
This is a great feature. This app allows you to instantly translate any message sent to you by your language partners. The app also provides literal translation, using which members of this platform can translate alphabets in several different languages.
Corrections
Using the correction feature, it is possible to provide information about a person’s writing skills. This is undoubtedly one of the most useful features of this app.
Send a Gift
The Send Gift feature allows users to send gifts to their language exchange partners. Although this feature does not particularly contribute to your language learning in any way, it can be a great way to communicate with the person, but you will be required to pay real money to send virtual stickers.
Disadvantages of HelloTalk
Due to the nature of the application that relies on chatting to exchange the target language, you will find some disadvantages, which are:
Read:LingoDeer App Here’s everything you need to know about this appLanguage errors may occur, because the application relies on regular users and not teachers.
It is difficult to have a long conversation to exchange the language, most of the conversations are just greetings, which is not useful in learning the language proficiently.
The application shares personal information by default.
It provides additional expensive services.
Is HelloTalk free?
The application provides a free version that allows you to access up to eight new language exchange partners, chat with them and talk to them daily, but it supports one target language and non-premium users are only allowed to use the translation tool 10 times per day.
In addition, users see a lot of annoying ads, and the paid version provides several other features, which are as follows:
The user can choose three target languages, and this version also allows interaction with twenty-five new language exchange partners every day.
Get rid of annoying ads.
Advanced searches can be performed using special filters, for example they may be able to search for someone by gender or search for other users within the same city or region.
What is the cost of the paid version of HelloTalk
The VIP price for HelloTalk is $4.99 per day, $6.99 per month and $45.99 per year. Users can also book a lifetime subscription fee of $175.
Does HelloTalk offer video calls?
Yes, the app offers video calls with colleagues to exchange language and gain listening and speaking skills, and users can chat in the target language via text, graphics or voice messages.
Is HelloTalk safe?
HelloTalk claims to protect users with strong security measures, however, the app is not without risks due to dealing with strangers during language exchange.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid personal information such as phone numbers, home address or any financial information, and not to discuss any matters other than language and culture, and if you notice any abnormal behavior, you should report it immediately through the application support team.
It is also recommended to use a VPN to encrypt and protect your data because when using a public Wi-Fi network, data can be easily accessed.
In the end, we can conclude that the HelloTalk application is an effective and innovative tool for learning languages and exchanging cultures, as it gives users the opportunity to communicate with speakers of the language they want to learn, and encourages the development of language skills in interactive and fun ways, but attention should be paid to some drawbacks related to security and privacy when using it, which require caution and taking the necessary measures to protect personal information.
Download the HelloTalk app
