Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Thursday, February 13th
italki stands out as an incredibly flexible and budget-friendly platform to connect with language tutors. With an extensive array of teachers covering over 100 languages, you have the freedom to choose the tutor that aligns with your learning preferences, schedule, and personality.
Instructors set their own prices
Teachers have the autonomy to set their own prices and availability, providing a personalized learning experience. Unlike traditional course providers, italki acts as a facilitator, offering a database of teachers and practice partners across numerous languages. You can easily book private lessons, classes, or casual chats for practice.
Pick a tutor and start learning
To get started, you can select either an "instant” lesson or something within 72 hours. This will show you available teachers and tutors who can help you practice your Hebrew. Each tutor or teacher charges their own hourly rate, so the pricing will ultimately decide on which tutor (or tutors) you decide to work with.
May work best as a supplementary tool
The platform enables you to review teachers' qualifications and read feedback from other students to make informed choices. All sessions are conducted via video conference tools like Skype or Facetime. Remember, italki doesn't provide educational services itself; it's a platform connecting learners with qualified language tutors. Ideally, italki is a supplementary service alongside your other Hebrew learning course materials.
Prices are decided by individual tutors
Pricing for Hebrew lessons at italki will depend entirely on the tutor or teacher that you choose to work with. During our research, we found prices ranging from $5 to $20 per hour for trial lessons. After that, the prices go up to anywhere from $10 to $30 per hour for full lessons. If you're trying to choose between tutors and prices, you can easily see student ratings for each tutor to get an idea of what quality of service you can expect. Many of the tutors we checked during our review had a full 5-star rating out of 5 from students.
Progress is somewhat self-guided
Progress in Hebrew is dependent on you and your individual tutors. italki isn't a language-learning program, but a tutoring service. So, your progression will depend on the plan you make with your tutor, what other kind of lesson materials you have outside of italki, and how often you go to tutoring. This is a much more "self-guided” method than other platforms in our review. So, if that's not your cup of tea, you might want to check out a different option.
Unclear refund policy
You can only get a refund from italki if you buy "credits” through their platform, instead of paying directly. In this case, you can get some credits refunded to your account whether you're the one who cancels the appointment or lessons. However, we struggled to find any policy regarding payment if you don't use the italki credits.
Mixed teacher quality
Overall the reviews for italki are extremely positive. According to Trustpiot, the average rating for italki on the whole is 4.7 stars out of 5. Customers particularly praise the high quality of instruction offered by teachers. A few customers said they didn't love that sessions were limited to 40 minutes as they felt it was hard to get everything done in that timeframe, but in general, all of the most recent reviews were 5 stars.
Tutoring rather than a full course
italki has an impressive reputation, no doubt about it. However, the fact that the site prioritizes tutoring and teaching sessions without a particular curriculum (or expects students to bring their own curriculum) is a drawback that can't be ignored. If you're trying to learn Hebrew just through italki, you may not find much success. Or, at the very least, you'll need to find learning materials from outside italki to bring to your tutoring sessions. Due to this extra step and possible extra cost required, italki earns just an average rating overall. On the other hand, if you're looking for a high-quality language-focused tutoring service to help you with your Hebrew learning, you should definitely check out italki.
Suppose you find yourself contemplating a relocation to Israel, or maybe just a trip to visit the Holy Land. Maybe you'd like to reconnect with your culture, learn more about a new one, or brush up on some courses you took in school. No matter what your reason is, finding affordable Hebrew lessons that fit into your daily routine can be a hassle.
There are many reasons why online Hebrew lessons have surged in popularity. For most people, securing in-person lessons isn't a viable option. Whether it's too expensive or takes too much time driving from lesson to lesson, in-person learning can be a huge roadblock to moving forward with your language learning goals, particularly if you're not located in a Hebrew-speaking area.
Luckily, the digital world of online learning opens up tons of possibilities that didn't exist before. Whether your Hebrew learning style tends towards auditory experiences, written practice, or speaking exercises, different Hebrew lesson programs place a deliberate emphasis on learning styles that fit your needs.
You can immerse yourself in audio files, encompassing syllables, words, phrases, and sentences for the purpose of repetition. Or if you're a visual learner, opt for a Hebrew language platform that ingeniously gamifies the entire learning trajectory. This includes not only grammar intricacies and writing exercises but also incorporates speech recognition software to facilitate a side-by-side comparison of your pronunciation with that of a native speaker.
Furthermore, virtually all online Hebrew lessons exhibit a commitment to infusing cultural and historical dimensions into your study sessions. Given the profound historical backdrop and symbolic significance of Hebrew, a nuanced understanding of the language often necessitates delving into its historical roots and comprehending its contemporary contextual applications.
You can also expect many modern options to use more conversational Hebrew like you would find if you talked to a native speaker in Israel. This way, you're not stuck with archaic grammar exercises or phrases that feel out of touch with modern language.
As you navigate the wide array of online Hebrew lessons, it might seem a little overwhelming at first. We've put together some helpful criteria to make sure you find the best fit:
To make your Hebrew learning journey the best it can be, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best options for taking Hebrew lessons available online today. We hope this helps you reach your ideal level of fluency whether you're learning for travel, for culture, or for fun. Hebrew is now in your reach with the right learning platform for you!
Select any 2 Hebrew Lessons to compare them head to head