HelloTalk Review: A Useful Resource for Language Learners, Though Partner Matching Has Room for Enhancement

HelloTalk proposes that you channel the time you spend on online messaging and chatting into acquiring a new language.

This application for web and mobile devices seeks to merge the engaging nature of social networking platforms with the benefit of connecting with a language practice partner.

I tested the app as an English speaker learning French. The interactive content, integrated system for receiving corrections, and advice from genuine native speakers justify downloading it, though the application does have some limitations.

The Main Features of HelloTalk

Connecting with other language learners

The main purpose of HelloTalk is to link language learners with each other and with native speakers.

Similar to other top language exchange applications, it enables you to connect with people studying languages across the globe.

You simply specify your native language and the language you wish to learn. The app then assists in finding learners who are native in your target language and want to practice your native language for a mutual exchange.

I was quickly presented with a list of language learners, both locally and internationally, predominantly native French speakers seeking English practice.

Exchanges are possible in over 150 languages, such as English, French, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian. You can also locate speakers of less commonly studied languages like Afrikaans, Tagalog, and Navajo.

Text messaging

HelloTalk facilitates language learning by pairing you with native speakers for practicing your target language.

Text chat provides a low-stress method to gain practice while maintaining real-time communication with other users, either individually or in groups. I discovered that text chats within the app were ideal for sporadic, mobile messaging.

The chat interface includes useful features such as translation tools and options for users to correct each other's errors.

Voice and video chat

Although text chat is handy and fast, I found that my learning progressed most during voice conversations.

It was excellent to practice speaking the language spontaneously, while still having the ability to delete an audio message and re-record it if I erred.

I also attempted a video call, which was somewhat beneficial. There were a few awkward silences, so I suggest starting with a text or voice conversation first.

It's also important to remember that not every user is at ease with video calls, so don't be offended if a partner prefers to use only text and audio.

Social media features

While looking for appropriate practice partners, you can view their profiles. This lets you discover their interests, hobbies, and language learning objectives.

Users can update their profile whenever their needs or goals change. Each language listed in a user's profile also includes a helpful color-coded indicator to show their proficiency level.

HelloTalk also enables you to add someone as a "friend" within the app. This is great for sustaining the language practice, particularly as you encounter new people from the app's expanding user base.

Moments

As you use the app, meet people, and add friends, you also curate a personal feed.

For this purpose, all users can share posts (known as "Moments" in HelloTalk), which can be images, videos, or text updates.

These "Moments" are visible not just to your HelloTalk friends but also to the wider language learning community on the app.

These "Moments" function similarly to other messages in chats. Other users can reply to your posts and even correct your use of the target language.

Conversely, you can also comment on and correct other users' posts within HelloTalk.

"Moments" offer an excellent way to practice your target language. You can post about almost any topic: a dish you've tried, a location you've been to, or simply a random observation.

Furthermore, these "Moments" can help you discover new language partners in a more engaging manner than just scanning a list of profiles.

User friendly interface

The app's interface for language practice is quite comprehensive and beneficial for learners. It is not only modern, responsive, and largely free of glitches, but the chat interface also includes features that improve the language exchange process.

To begin with, the chat interface includes a built-in translation function.

I found it helpful to tap on any word in my text conversations with partners to get an immediate translation from French to English. This ensured smooth, uninterrupted communication.

HelloTalk's chat interface also enables your language partner to correct your messages in the target language.

I intentionally made some errors—and a few naturally—and my partner could easily indicate and edit my message.

Mistakes are highlighted with a convenient red strikethrough, and the correction is shown in green text underneath.

The chat interface also provides a transliteration tool for languages using non-Latin scripts, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

I don't have extensive personal experience with these features, but user reviews suggest they function well.

Besides standard text input, the chat includes text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities for easier communication and additional listening and speaking practice.

I also appreciated the ability to bookmark posts, sentences, and words from conversations. These can be easily accessed later for review and study.

VIP plan

Fortunately, HelloTalk is primarily free. The core version of the app—which contains its most practical features—is available to all users.

This means you can download the app, find new language partners, engage in text, audio, and video conversations, share "Moments," and make corrections without any charge.

However, these features have restrictions. For instance, free users can only use the translation tool 10 times per day and can only start 10 new chats daily.

To eliminate these limits, HelloTalk offers a subscription known as the VIP plan. It costs $12.99 per month, $79.99 for a year, or $149.99 for a lifetime membership (prices from late 2022).

VIP subscribers also gain access to special tools to improve their experience, such as filtering new partners by gender, finding partners in their local area, and removing advertisements within the app.

Is HelloTalk a Safe App?

When I initially researched HelloTalk, I came across some user reports on Reddit concerning inappropriate behavior on the platform.

Users mentioned that some individuals—mainly men—were using HelloTalk as a platform for dating or casual encounters.

These users sent unsuitable messages to women, posted uncomfortable comments on their "Moments," or attempted to convince them to meet outside the app via other social media platforms.

It is important to note that HelloTalk allows VIP users to filter potential partners by location, gender, and age, which could potentially facilitate targeted misuse.

Officially, HelloTalk strives to maintain a respectful community by requesting users avoid discussions on politics, religion, and other sensitive subjects.

While HelloTalk does not thoroughly screen its users, the app provides members with "report" and "block" functions to help them stay safe during interactions.

The "report" feature lets users notify the company about inappropriate users for potential banning, and the "block" feature allows any user to prevent further contact from another user.

In principle, this should be sufficient to stop unwanted advances, but HelloTalk still advises users against sharing personal information.

HelloTalk’s Highlights

Combines language learning with social media

One area where HelloTalk performs exceptionally well is the seamless integration of a language exchange platform with a social networking app.

As anticipated, HelloTalk is excellent for connecting you with numerous language learners and native speakers worldwide.

With a continuously growing community, I had plenty of potential language partners, and it was rewarding to find individuals who shared my enthusiasm for learning a new language.

Gets you naturally interacting with your target language

Moreover, learning a language through a social media framework was an unexpectedly rewarding experience.

I frequently found myself browsing through posts from other users in the app, unknowingly absorbing content in my target language.

These feeds, filled with other users' "Moments," enable meaningful learning, provide additional practice, and can even lead to new partnerships.

These interactions represent genuine examples of native language use, and HelloTalk recognizes that such input is crucial for language acquisition.

Built to support language interaction

Beyond the language exchange and community aspects, the app also includes several effective learning tools to enhance partnerships.

Integrated translation capabilities, correction functions, and text, audio, and video calling options make HelloTalk an ideal environment for successful language exchange relationships.

HelloTalk’s Shortcomings

User-led content and interactions can mean errors

Other learners on the app are exactly that: learners.

For example, when I asked a partner to clarify a French word, I observed that they had difficulty providing an exact definition.

Since the app is user-driven, corrections, pronunciations, and other language advice might be inaccurate or incomplete.

While language partners are useful for practice, they are not necessarily qualified instructors.

You might unknowingly accept incorrect information, which could lead to communication problems later on.

Conversations tend to stall past the small talk stage

Possibly the most significant issue I encountered was the difficulty in engaging new partners and maintaining ongoing conversations.

After the initial introductory chat ("Hello. How are you? Where are you from? What do you do?"), more than half of my discussions lost momentum.

I frequently attempted to ask more in-depth questions and engage partners further, but the conversations often felt one-sided.

This isn't entirely the fault of HelloTalk, but their algorithms for matching partners could potentially be refined to connect individuals with more shared interests beyond just a common language.

Is HelloTalk Worth It?

Taking into account HelloTalk's strengths, weaknesses, and safety aspects, is it a good choice?

In short: Yes.

As with many language exchange apps, the value you get depends largely on your own effort.

This app offers a productive way to interact with native speakers of your target language and create meaningful practice opportunities.

I advise staying aware of your surroundings and taking appropriate safety measures to ensure a positive experience.

I recommend using this service alongside other language learning methods.

HelloTalk is an extremely useful tool for learning and practicing your target language when combined with a formal course, textbook, or another language learning application that offers authentic and engaging material such as Lingflix. Lingflix uses real-world videos—like music clips, movie previews, news segments, and motivational talks—and converts them into tailored language lessons. You can test Lingflix free for two weeks. Visit the website or get the iOS or Android app. P.S. Click here to benefit from our current promotion! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Alternatives to HelloTalk

If HelloTalk doesn't perfectly suit your requirements (but you're interested in a similar tool), we can assist you in finding an alternative that fits.

HiNative

HiNative is a language exchange app that, similar to HelloTalk, provides users with specific tools to verify and correct language mistakes. However, HiNative is more oriented towards asking particular questions and receiving answers.

For instance, you can ask native speakers if your written sentence is understandable and natural in their language. You can even request feedback on your pronunciation.

You can also contribute to the community by answering questions from others about your native language.

Providing answers can earn you likes and quality points, which enhance your reputation on the app. This increases the visibility of your own questions.

For more details on HiNative, read our complete review.

Tandem

Tandem shares many similarities with HelloTalk. Both allow you to communicate via text, voice, or video, and both include social networking-style features to connect with users through profiles and language skill levels.

Like HelloTalk, Tandem enables users to search profiles by gender and age. However, Tandem conducts background checks on new accounts to enhance platform safety.

Tandem also allows users to leave reviews about their interactions with others, which can help you find more reliable partners and avoid potential safety concerns.

For additional information, see our full Tandem review.

italki

italki is a versatile language tutoring and exchange application, offering personalized one-on-one lessons from teachers on your schedule while also connecting you to a large, active community of learners for practice.

italki provides over 150 languages, all taught by native speaker teachers who offer flexible scheduling and pricing. italki also supplements your learning with integrated reading and writing exercises.

To learn more, check out our comprehensive italki review.

General social media

There are numerous methods to find a language exchange partner, especially if you consider unconventional approaches.

In addition to dedicated language exchange programs and chat apps, you can find people to converse with on platforms like Twitter or Meetup. You might also try Reddit or Discord, allowing you to focus your search on specific interest groups.

Whatever social media or chat platforms you regularly use, you can likely find a language partner there if you search for them.

Although these platforms aren't specifically designed for language exchange, they offer the significant benefits of being convenient and free.

I always believed my time spent browsing social media wasn't entirely wasted! With HelloTalk, you can browse—and chat!—your path toward greater language proficiency.