Practice with native speakers
Free English speaking practice with native speakers
Spoken English gets better by speaking. On Halfsies you meet a native English speaker who is learning your language: 30 minutes in English, then 30 minutes helping them with yours. Free, live and by video.
Why a native speaker
A native speaker talks the way people really talk: contractions, idioms and their own accent — American, British, Australian or any other. A real person laughs at your joke, asks you to say more and waits for your answer, and that is what speaking practice is. In return you help them with your language, which is why it’s free.
How a conversation goes
Press “Find a partner” and the site matches you with someone who speaks the language you want and is learning yours. The first half is 30 minutes in one language, the second in the other. You share one timer, and the language switches at the chime. Words you ask about stay in your notebook.
Tips for practising English
Enjoy the accents
English is spoken natively all over the world, and everyone sounds different. Ask your partner where they’re from and how they’d say the same thing there — it makes a great topic.
Collect phrasal verbs
Native speakers use them all the time; textbooks, not so much. Heard “figure out” or “put off”? Ask, and save it to your notebook.
Ask them to rephrase
“Could you put it another way?” gets you the same idea in different words. Your vocabulary grows faster that way than from translations.
Start with short halves
If half an hour feels like a lot, choose 10- or 15-minute halves: there’s a setting for it in the search.
Common questions
What level of English do I need?
You can start from A2. Set your level honestly: your partner sees it on your card and adjusts. They’re learning in their half too, so they know how it feels.
Is it really free?
Yes. You pay with time: for half the conversation you help your partner with your language.
Do I have to turn on my camera?
No, you can talk by voice only. In the search, say that such partners are fine with you too.
What if nobody is online?
Halfsies has only just opened, so there aren’t many people yet. Sign up and add your languages, and we can notify you when a native speaker comes online. With partners you liked, you can also agree on a time in the calendar.