I think that video calls is better, whether it is a class or language exchange. Personally, I am uncomfortable without the video even as a female. I prefer video calls and I think it is better to build a connection with the person. Learning a language is not just about speaking, eye contact is important, facial expressions is important. Even smiling is part of the communication process.

It's not about men and women. Many users (both male and female) prefer to do video calls because it is easier to understand each other when also seeing facial expressions. It is also easier to connect when seeing a smiling face. Some users prefer to do audio calls because they are shy and don't want to show their face but others prefer to see each other faces, also to make sure that the person who is pictured in the profile is also the person doing the call. I'm a woman and I definitely prefer to do video calls. At least to confirm each other identities. When the internet connection is slow, I don't mind switching to an audio call. I've done audio calls only with some people, but felt a bit weird about the fact that they didn't want to show their faces.

Men are weird creatures. Try a profile picture like this one?

<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/de/89/ab/de89ab2a2af32b280e21bded30691202.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/de/89/ab/de89ab2a2af32b280e21bded30691202.jpg</a>;

I prefer audio calls, though, of course, as a teacher, I do mostly video calls. I find the video distracting, and prefer to concentrate on the voice and listening only. That way we don't have to resort to gestures or making faces, and must rely entirely on our understanding of spoken language. It's a good challenge and practice. I've had a few students who wanted audio-only calls and they weren't weird people. They were usually advanced learners who just wanted to have a chat about their favorite books while lying down, walking around, or lounging about in their comfortable clothes without worrying about what they looked like or whether they were making good eye contact.

If language partners are insisting that you have a video call, it's probably best to tell them you don't see any point to that and won't do it. We've learned languages for years through books and (if we were lucky) audio-only recordings, so the idea that a moving image is essential, rather than a nice bonus, is just a modern convention.

Video calls do have their merits, but I don't use them for my language exchanges.

Besides privacy issues, keeping your phone in your pocket allows you to multitask.

It's easier to justify the time spent in language exchanges if you can do, at the same time, other easy tasks like preparing dinner, watering plants, washing dishes and so on.

Multitasking lets you have more than 24 hours a day.

Of course, you need a high enough level in the languages you are using.

If I don't know a language well enough, I can't even breath and think at the same time.

And, even without seeing me, my language exchange partners know that I don't look like my picture profile image.

Am I scamming them?