Where to Find Native Speakers of English for Free

If you’re an English learner, you know the importance of genuine practice outside the classroom, and how precious these opportunities are. One of the best ways to improve your English speaking and comprehension skills is, of course, through conversing with native speakers. But for many learners, figuring out where to find native speakers of English seems to be a challenge.

That is why, today, we are here to show you the best ways to find native English speakers.

Here are 4 different ways in which you can find native speakers of English online, free of charge.

→Sign Up Now: Free Trial English Lesson With a Native Teacher!←

Online Games

As an English teacher, I often get asked what you can do to learn English fast and effectively. Are there any secret tips? Any magical recipes?

The answer is often less elaborate than people would expect.

When I was a teenager, the best students in the class were those who spent long afternoons listening to their favourite rock bands with their headphones on, meticulously analysing the lyrics for every track and singing along to their idols.

Nowadays, the fastest learners in my classrooms get a very different kind of help.

How online games help you connect with native speakers in English

Online games, which are often played in cooperation with and/or against players from all over the world, are a great—and fun—way to get in touch with native speakers, and part of the reason why so many centennials are so proficient at English.

Age of Empires, for example, is a series of video games that belong to the real-time strategy video game genre in which players have to help a civilisation develop from a handful of hunter-gatherers to an expansive Iron Age empire. To ensure victory, the player must find resources to pay for troops, build fortresses, and eventually move towards more advanced technologies.

find native speakers of english while playing videogames

Age of Empires, via Pinterest.

This game, along with other similar video games (big shout-out to League of Legends), can offer you a great way to get in touch with native and non-native speakers of English who will need to use the language to plan when to attack, discuss strategic positions, explore complex maps, and many other challenges that will push you to use your English skills while engaging in a fun, exciting activity.

Forums and Chat Rooms

My first contact with native speakers of English happened amidst the Harry Potter fever back in 2002. At the time, I was a teenager who’d just changed schools and I needed new friends with whom to discuss the theories, plot twists, ships, and cliffhangers from the latest volume in the Potter series.

Being a shy person, chat rooms offered me the perfect environment to do so. As soon as my parents went to bed, I’d grab my laptop and log onto the biggest Harry Potter fan website on the net, MuggleNet. For hours, I would exchange theories and ideas with native English speakers and fans from all over the world who used English to communicate with their fellow Potter stans.

Since then, fads have changed, Harry is all grown up, and JK Rowling has become a controversial figure. Forums and chat rooms, however, are still around. Whether you’re looking for native speakers to discuss your favourite show, movie, or book, or just to make friends and have a conversation with native speakers of English from different countries, there is probably a chat room or forum in which you can do so.

How forums and chat rooms can help you connect with native speakers in English

If you are a movie geek and you love awards season, for example, you share film reviews, discuss possible contenders and campaign for your faves on AwardsWorthy. If you’re a football fan who still has lots of things to say about the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, then you can join the conversation on BigSoccerForum, the number 1 community for football fans around the world.

Image by Pixabay, via Pexels

But of course, you don’t need to have a specific hobby to join an online social platform. If you just feel in the mood to have a chat with English-speaking strangers from all over the world, Omegle is a great place to start. This global chatroom allows people from all over the world to find each other and enjoy an informal video call or text chat at all hours.

Dating Apps

According to recent statistics, the average lifespan of a romantic relationship has never been shorter. So, if you’re going to spend lots of energy on something that is bound to end soon, you might as well make it count and learn something new while you are at it!

Dating apps like Tinder and Grindr allow you to go global and meet native speakers of English from all over the world. All you have to do is choose the city you would like to “explore” and the app will show you users from any corner of the globe. This is great news for English learners because it allows them to find native speakers of whatever variety of English they want to practise.

How dating apps can help you connect with native speakers in English

Would you like to familiarise yourself with Irish English ahead of a business trip? Then change the settings on your favourite dating app so it will show you users from Dublin, Belfast or Cork. Want to practise Canadian English in preparation for your university entrance exams? Then all you have to do is connect with native speakers from Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal.

Whether your goal is to expand your professional network, make friends in different countries, or just to find an English-speaking partner with whom you can practice your English skills, there is no better way to spend your time online than engaging in conversations with native speakers.

Who knows? You may even find love in the process!

Free English Lessons

Do you want to take things to the next level and do some actual learning with native speakers of English who also happen to be experienced teachers? At Language Trainers, we offer native-speaker led lessons for all levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced.

Why customized lessons are the best way to connect with native speakers in English

Our native speakers hail from countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia. All of them have been carefully selected to ensure that you are getting the best native English teaching experience available. What’s more, instead of working with fixed, outdated curriculums, we specialise in designing tailor-made programmes that meet every student’s specific needs and interests. So, whether you need to level up your English skills to apply to a university abroad or you want to brush up on your conversational English for a job interview, we have native English teachers who can provide the best possible instruction for you.

Image by Monstera, via Pexels

And do you want to know what the best part is? If you want to take your English course online, we will offer you a free trial lesson so that you can see for yourself how native-speaker led classes work.

Yes, you read that right. At Language Trainers, we offer live, one-to-one taster lessons free of charge so you can get to know your teacher and benefit from their expert feedback before you commit to a lesson pack!

Talking to native speakers in English – FAQs:

Where can I chat with native English speakers free?

There are several online platforms and chatrooms where you can connect with native speakers of English from all over the world. Omegle is a great place to start, as it allows people from any country to join in on text or video chats. If you’re looking for educational chat sessions, you can join community-oriented sites such as Reddit, where people from different countries come together to discuss topics and share ideas.

Can I learn English by talking to native speakers in English?

Yes, talking to native speakers is one of the best ways to learn English. Native speakers can help you improve your pronunciation, understand the nuances of English grammar and vocabulary, and provide valuable feedback on your speaking skills. Additionally, by joining chatrooms and engaging in conversations with native speakers, you can pick up new words, phrases and expressions that will help you become more proficient in English.

Is there any app where I can talk in English with strangers?

Yes, there are a number of English-learning apps that allow you to connect with strangers from all over the world and practise your English.  Some of the most popular options include HelloTalk, Tandem, and Lingbe. All of these apps offer live chat rooms and language exchange services that can help you improve your English while interacting with native speakers. However, the best way to learn English is to take a tailormade course with a qualified native teacher.

→Sign Up Now: Free Trial English Lesson With a Native Teacher!←

So, what are you waiting for? Make sure to take full advantage of native English speakers and their knowledge by using online platforms such as dating apps and native-speaker led English classes at Language Trainers. This way, you will be able to make sure that your language learning process is both enjoyable and effective!