I don't think that's very fair. FIRSTLY, you can ALWAYS cancel the package if you want by contacting the italki team. You will get back the money that you haven't spent I believe. No problem. Also sure, us teachers are here to make money as well as helping people. Of course if you don't learn much each time, you will keep learning for longer but you will also not continue with the same teacher, will not recommend that teacher to other students... However, there is only so much you can learn at any one time and if you are not prepared for the session or do not make the effort to give as much as you can to produce and practice then you will never learn. The teacher is a facilitator for learning. They cannot learn for you!!! (and god, sometimes how we wish we could!! ;)) Personally I think that it is a big cheek to think that people should teach you for free. Should I turn up to your job and ask you for a freebie just because I'm here and I can?! It doesn't matter if you're a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer... think about it. Please. I teach here and make money. I learn here and spend money. Both help me grow as a person and both help my students and teachers. If my students don't feel like they are learning they know they only have to suggest other methods - each student is different and flexibility is the key to being a good teacher. If I know that I cannot help someone as much as another teacher could (maybe they are at a very basic level, want to speak with an American accent...) I will suggest an alternative teacher for them. Money is not everything. I prefer to enjoy my students' success. Good luck with finding your favourite teacher.

Hi Englishleaner1, We don't think it's a bad policy at all. We think packages are good for both students and teachers. First, if you're not sure this is the right teacher for you, then just buy just one lesson. That way you'll have an idea whether or not you think this teacher is a good fit for your learning style. Second, packages were designed so that you could schedule many lessons at one time. This makes it easier for teachers and students by not forcing them to schedule each lesson individually. Third, most teachers offer a discount to students who purchase packages. It's good for students -- they get a cheaper price. It's also good for teachers who can get guaranteed lesson volume. As always, if the teacher or student isn't showing up or otherwise not doing what he/she agreed to, it would go to a resolution process. If you're not sure about buying a package, then continue with scheduling individual lessons! We offered packages as an option, because many students (and teachers) asked for a way to purchase multiple lessons at once. We've tried to make the system as flexible as possible to accommodate many types of students and teachers. Best wishes learning a language!

Just ask for the first few lessons free and pay only when you think you get something out of it. Keep in mind that here are very very few qualified teachers and many that believe (wrongly) that they can teach. Keep also in mind that often the main target is to make money, and the lesser you learn the more money is there to squeeze from you.

I don't think it's a trap at all. It's much more convenient for the both the student and the teacher. Once you (as a student) have found a teacher you like, then it's much easer to schedule many lessons at once. I would really recommend that you take a few single sessions first and try different teachers however. Don't buy a package right away, only after you've found the right teacher for you. I also know that when I was a student, buying more lessons at one time made me extra motivated to learn! Since I had already commited to taking all those lessons, it was like a promise I made to myself that I would finish all of them. I have found that when students and I have a dispute, the italki policy has been very fair about refunds, getting paid and how much. For packages, I know that partial payments and partial refunds are possible depending on how many lessons were actually taught and the reasons for cancellation (I read it in the Terms of Service under Session Package). Anyway, you should try a few teachers and if you trust one of them enough then you can try a small package from them. You really should give it a try before you criticize it. Who know, maybe you will end up liking it! Good luck with your studies of English!

Yes, I do think so! I've a contract with professor B for learning english and I found he is not good to be my teacher, he took advantage from his students and we are requesting to submit the english dictionary picture for his books. I feel very frustrate about it and it is not part of my job. I have sent many many email request to italki customer service, it is still no reply. But I've already paid for 10 lessons and there is no way for me to get the refund.