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English speaking practice online: the options compared

Searching for English speaking practice online turns up five very different things: private tutors, language-exchange partners, group classes, mobile apps, and AI speaking partners. They are not interchangeable — each gives you a different mix of speaking time, feedback, cost, and convenience.

Tutors give expert feedback but cost USD 15–40 per hour and need booking. Language exchanges are free but half the time you are teaching your own language, and partners are unreliable. Group classes are structured but you might speak for five minutes in an hour. Apps are convenient but most are tapping, not speaking. AI partners give unlimited real-time speaking with correction, any time, for little or nothing.

The best setup for most learners: an AI partner like Airi for daily speaking reps (it's the one option that scales to every day), plus a human tutor occasionally for deeper feedback if you can afford it. If you can only pick one, pick the one you will actually use daily. Airi is free to start, with no card.

A quick example with Airi

I tried a language exchange but my partner never showed up.

That's the classic problem — I'm here whenever you are. Let's practise now: what did you want to talk about with them?

I wanted to practise talking about my job.

Great — tell me what you do, as if we'd just met.

How to get the most from it

Judge by speaking minutes

How many minutes will you actually speak per session? That's the metric that matters.

Daily beats weekly

Choose the option you can do every day, even briefly.

Combine if you can

AI for daily reps, a tutor for occasional deep feedback, is the strongest combination.

Start speaking today

Your first 300 credits are free — no credit card. Sign in and have your first conversation with Airi.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to practise English speaking online?

Whatever gets you speaking daily with feedback. AI partners are the easiest to do every day; tutors add expert guidance when you can.

Are language exchanges good?

They can be, but they're unreliable and half the time is spent in your own language. Use them as a bonus, not your main practice.

Is Airi free?

Yes — 300 free credits on sign-up with no credit card. Paid packs are optional after that.

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