Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about learning African languages with NativSpeaka, lessons, AI tutoring, live practice calls, and your account.
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Getting started 5
NativSpeaka is an app for learning African languages the way they’re really spoken. You learn through:
- short lessons and real recordings of native speakers;
- a dictionary and culture notes;
- an AI tutor you can talk to;
- live practice calls with native speakers from our community.
Right now: Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin. Many more African languages are marked coming soon in the app, from across Nigeria, West, East, Central, Southern and North Africa, and the diaspora.
We’re launching on Android (Google Play) first. The iPhone version is on its way.
Yes, so your progress is saved. You can sign in with Google or with your email (we email you a sign-in link; no password needed).
Adults (18+) who want to learn, or reconnect with, an African language, whether you’re a complete beginner, a heritage speaker, or preparing to visit family or travel.
Lessons and learning 8
Lessons are grouped into chapters. Each lesson mixes:
- flashcards;
- listening;
- choosing the right sentence;
- typing the word you hear;
- repeating after a native speaker.
You earn XP and up to 3 stars per lesson.
Chapters unlock in order, so you build on what you’ve learned. To open the next chapter, either:
- earn at least 1 star in every lesson of the current chapter; or
- pass the Chapter review with 80% or more.
No. When you type an answer, we accept it without tone marks or dotted letters: “kele” counts for “kèle”, and “kasa” for “ƙasa”. We then show you the full spelling so you learn it.
From real people, mostly volunteers in Mozilla Common Voice and other open language projects, plus open dictionaries and scholarly sources. You can see every source on our Credits & Licences page.
Lessons are saved in the app, so you can read and answer them without internet. Audio needs a connection the first time it plays. The AI tutor, live calls, dictionary search and saving progress need internet. Progress you earn offline is saved when you reconnect.
Your streak counts the days in a row you’ve earned XP. Do any lesson, review or practice each day to keep it going. Days follow your phone’s own time zone.
Yes. After your first lesson, NativSpeaka offers a daily reminder. You can change the time or turn it off in App Settings.
Yes, any time from My Languages in your profile, or the language button on the Lessons page. Your progress in each language is saved separately.
The AI tutor and Free Talk 3
A relaxed conversation with our AI tutor in the language you’re learning. You can also practise role-play scenarios, like ordering food or meeting new people.
It’s very helpful practice, but AI can make mistakes, especially with tone marks or regional variations. For the real thing, try a live practice call with a native speaker.
No. Your messages are sent to our AI provider to write the reply, but we don’t keep a copy of your conversations. See our Privacy Policy.
Live practice calls 7
Request a 10- or 15-minute voice call in the language you’re learning. A native-speaker community helper who’s available gets your request and can accept it. You’ll talk live in the app, and a timer shows the time left.
Fellow NativSpeaka members who speak the language natively and have volunteered to help learners. Every helper confirms they’re 18 or older and accepts our community rules.
No. Calls are live and never recorded by NativSpeaka.
Tap Report or Block during or after the call. A block ends the call straight away and means you’ll never be matched with that person again. We review every report and act on it.
If the helper leaves, drops, or doesn’t show up within the first few minutes, your call credit is returned automatically. If you end the call yourself, the credit is used.
Yes. If you speak one of our languages natively, turn on Community Helper in your profile (or during sign-up). You can pause calls for an hour any time.
Premium and payments 6
Yes. Lessons, the dictionary and culture notes are free. Premium adds more AI conversation scenarios, higher Free Talk limits, custom role play and live practice calls.
Yes. New accounts get a 14-day free trial of Premium, once per person. You’ll get a reminder 2 days before it ends.
Subscriptions are managed by Google Play: open the Play Store → your profile icon → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → NativSpeaka → Cancel. You keep Premium until the end of the period you’ve paid for.
No. Cancel your subscription in Google Play first, then delete your account.
Store purchases follow Google Play’s refund policy. Contact Google Play, or email us at [email protected] and we’ll help where we can.
Account and privacy 5
Go to Profile. Your languages are under My Languages.
App Settings → Appearance: choose System, Light or Dark.
Profile → Danger zone → Delete account. Type DELETE to confirm. Full details are on our Delete account page.
Only what we need to run the app: your account, your learning progress, and what’s needed for calls, notifications and fixing crashes. We don’t show ads or sell your data. Read the full Privacy Policy.
Check your spam or promotions folder, and make sure you typed your email correctly. Links expire after a while, so request a new one if it’s been a few minutes. Still stuck? Email [email protected].
Feedback and support 2
In the app, go to Profile → Give us feedback. We read every message.
Email [email protected]. We usually reply within a few days.