Practice English by chatting with new people

By the Otrigal team · Updated 5 November 2026 · 5 min read

The best way to get better at speaking is to speak. Reading and apps help, but a real conversation makes you think fast, listen closely and try new words. A random video or text chat is one free way to practice with real people. It is not a replacement for a teacher, and not every person you meet will want to practice, but with the tips below you can get a lot from each chat.

Otrigal is free, runs in your browser, and is for adults 18 and over.

Before you start

Pick one small goal. For example "ask five questions" or "learn three new words".
Write down a few starter sentences so you do not freeze: "Hi, where are you from?", "Can you speak a little slower, please?", "How do you say this in English?"
Test your camera and microphone, and sit somewhere quiet.
Start with text if you feel nervous. A text chat gives you time to think, then move to video when you are ready.

In the chat

Say hello and ask a simple question. Short questions are easier for both of you.
Tell them you are practicing. Many people are happy to speak slowly and help.
Ask for corrections. "Please tell me if I say something wrong" is a good sentence to learn.
Do not stop for a perfect sentence. Keep talking. Mistakes are how you learn.
If a word is missing, describe it. "It is the thing you use to..." works well.

Easy topics to talk about

Food: what you ate today, your favourite dish.
Daily life: your morning, your work or study.
Places: your city, a place you want to visit.
Music, films and sport.
Plans: your weekend, your next holiday.

More ideas: 50 conversation starters.

After the chat

Write down three new words or phrases while you still remember them.
Say the sentences you struggled with out loud, a few times.
Note one thing to do better next time.

A few short chats a week help more than one long one.

What to expect

Matches on Otrigal are random. Some people will speak English well, some will not, and some just want to talk about something else. That is normal. If a chat is not useful, say goodbye and skip to the next person.

Stay safe

Keep your full name, address, school, workplace and phone number private. Never send money and do not click links. Do not move to other apps or meet in person with someone from a random chat. See the safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I really improve my English with random chat?

Talking with real people helps your speaking and listening, especially if you do it often. It works best next to lessons or study, not instead of them.

Can I choose to talk with English speakers only?

Matches are random, so you cannot be sure the other person speaks English. Skip and try again.

What if my English is not good yet?

That is fine. Start with text chat, say that you are practicing, and keep sentences short.

Is it free?

Yes. Video and text chat on Otrigal are free.

Is it for beginners?

Beginners can use it, but it is for adults 18 and over. Start slowly and skip any chat that feels uncomfortable.

Keep reading

Chat with strangers online: video or text, freeVideo or text, how it works, and how to have a good chat.Random text chat: talk to new people without a cameraChat by text only, with no camera or microphone.50 conversation starters for chatting with strangersFifty questions that get a stranger talking.

Ready to meet someone new?

Free to use, in your browser, for adults 18 and over.

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