You’re absolutely right to want to practise English with native speakers.

There’s something magical about hearing authentic pronunciation, natural rhythm, and those little cultural details no textbook can teach. When a native speaker casually says, “How’s it going?” you think: That’s exactly how I want to sound.

It makes perfect sense. Native speakers often feel like the key to fluency.

But after working with thousands of English learners from over 120 countries, we've discovered something that might surprise you about what actually makes someone an incredible English speaking partner.

Why practising with native speakers feels like 'the secret' to fluency

Let’s be honest, native speakers make English sound effortless!

They use idioms naturally. They know when to say "pretty good" versus "quite good." They can explain why we say "make a decision" but "take a break." Their English flows like water.

When you practise with a native speaker, it feels like you're getting the real deal. No textbook English. No overly formal phrases. Just natural, authentic conversation.

So your desire to practise with native speakers is completely valid. Native speakers absolutely offer something special.

Where to find native English speakers online

Since you're probably looking for native speakers to practise speaking English online, let me help you find them! Here are your best options:

Online Tutoring Platforms

Preply or iTalki connect you with professional native-speaking teachers. You'll pay $20-50 per hour to practise (the global average in 2025 is around $20 for a newly qualified tutor) but you’ll get to talk to someone who understands how to teach English.

Language Exchange Apps

Apps like HelloTalk or Tandem let you swap languages—you teach them yours, they help you with English. It’s free, but finding a reliable partner can take patience. Perfect for chit chat but you might need something more structured to truly expand your fluency range. If you don't feel confident you could 'lead' someone to fluency, they're probably feeling the same!

Facebook Groups

Facebook has hundreds of free groups offering English conversation practice. Some are led by native speakers, usually ESL teachers who create groups to support their online courses. Although these often lack a structured approach to learning, you may be able find time to connect with the native speaker who runs the group if they are still actively involved.

Online Interest Groups and Communities

Joining an interest group or community online that focuses on something your interested in gives you the chance to communicate in English about something you're personally interested in. If you find one in an English speaking country, the host and/or members may be native speakers and could be willing to spend time with you to practise speaking.

AI Speaking practice apps

Technically this option should be excluded but.. as you know there are many new apps that offer AI speaking practice. The speaking partners programmed into the app are designed to sound like native English speakers. We can say they are 'sort of' like talking to a native speaker though they won't necessarily be realistic.

All of these options are practical ways to find native English speakers. But before you begin your search, it's worth taking a moment to think about what kind of speaking partner you're looking for because even among native speakers there is a big difference between 'just any' speaking partner and a great speaking partner.

What makes a great English speaking partner (😯 this might surprise you!)

We have spent the last 5 years or more connecting thousands of women from different countries and cultures with the right English speaking partners. And in that time, we've learned from our members past experiences that being a native speaker doesn't automatically make someone great to practise with. The best partners share many different qualities. Here are the TOP three:

They make you feel safe to make mistakes

This is HUGE. When you're worried about being judged, your brain focuses on mistakes, errors and self-doubts which blocks the words coming out. You need someone who wants to help you improve and encourages you keep the conversation going, not someone who makes you feel self-conscious about every error and keeps interrupting.

‍They're genuinely interested in what you have to say

Amazing speaking partners ask follow-up questions. They want to know about your life, your thoughts, your experiences. Conversation flows because there's real connection, not just language practice. You want to practise with someone who is curious and patient to listen to what you have to say, not curious about their phone to check the time!

They understand the learning journey

Whether they learned a second language themselves or they've taught others, they get what you're going through. They know when to gently correct and when to let mistakes slide so you have a chance to finish expressing what you want to say. They can give you helpful tips and advice about what has helped them on their journey.

It is absolutely possible to find native speakers (who are not being paid to speak) who have these qualities. But we've met so many more non-native speakers who are absolutely brilliant practice partners! 

Just remember: where someone was born is not the most important characteristic of a great speaking partner (and that includes you!). Millions of people have learned to speak English fluently no matter where they are.

The truth about how to improve spoken English

It's no secret that spoken English improves through regular practice.

But here's the truth: if you limit yourself to practising only with native speakers, you're ruling out 75% of the English-speaking population! You'll make it unnecessarily difficult to get the consistent practice you need.

Here are the statistics that might surprise you:

👉🏼 Of the 1.5 billion people who speak English as a second language, 1.1 billion are just like you—English is not their first language. Just 400 million are native speakers.

👉🏼 More than 65% of non-native English speakers have intermediate proficiency or higher. That's almost 1 billion people—more than twice the number of native speakers!

👉🏼 Only 4% of global conversations happen between two native speakers. The remaining 96% include just one or no native speakers.

The secret we learned after working with thousands of women? Peer-to-peer learning accelerates progress faster than seeking native speakers alone.

Not only is it easier to get the regular practice you need to improve, it offers advantages that are critical for learning to happen.

When you connect with others on the same journey, you create a safe environment to make mistakes and support each other from experience. This builds confidence that transfers to all your English conversations.

As member Chika Uchida shared in her Trustpilot review:

"I had been struggling to improve my speaking skills until I discovered Hey Lady!.Finding a speaking buddy who matched my personality, availability, and passion for practice was not easy before. As I continued practicing with familiar members, I stopped feeling nervous while speaking."

When you practise with peers who understand your struggles, you build the confidence to speak to anyone—including native speakers. Don't limit your options, or you'll only hold yourself back from being successful in the real world of English.

How English learning communities multiply your practice opportunities

🌈 When you practice with other English learners in a community setting, something beautiful happens.

Everyone is invested in improvement

‍There's no awkward dynamic where one person is "helping" and the other is "receiving help." You're all teammates working toward the same goal—and that means multiple people cheering you on, not just one speaking partner.

You understand each other's struggles

‍When someone says "I know the word but I can't remember it," everyone completely gets it. When someone makes a mistake you used to make, you can actually help—and helping others reinforces your own learning. With a community, you get this understanding from multiple perspectives, not just one person's experience.

You practice real communication with variety

‍Instead of having the same conversation style with one partner, you're engaging with different personalities, communication styles, and topics that genuinely interest various people. Your English improves exponentially because you're focused on connecting with many people, not perfecting conversations with just one.

You experience the diversity of real-world English

‍This last point offers value that cannot be underestimated: true diversity. Communities connect you with people from around the world, bringing different accents, expressions, cultural perspectives and conversation styles into your daily practice.

Among native English speakers, there are over 11 different accents. But there are more than 160 other English accents around the world! A single speaking partner can only expose you to one accent and perspective. A global community prepares you for English conversations with anyone, anywhere—making you confident and adaptable in real-world situations.

This diversity becomes your superpower as you learn to listen closely, adapt quickly and understand English in all its beautiful variety.

How Hey Lady! helps women practise speaking English daily

This insight led us to create something that didn't exist—but had to.

Hey Lady! is a women's English speaking community where connection drives fluency.

A community designed for women's success

We realised that women face unique challenges in English-speaking environments; being spoken over, spoken for, or struggling with confidence in mixed settings. What women needed wasn't just any English community, but one designed specifically for them. A place where women have the advantage and can develop the courage, confidence and capacity to thrive.

We believe the world needs more female voices, because empowered women empower those around them.

Since launching, we've helped more than 12,000 women from over 120 countries find their English confidence.

Daily practice that fits your life

Women just like you join can join daily conversations at any time of day about topics that actually matter to you: career challenges, work-life balance, travel dreams, cultural differences, raising children in a second language.

You practise with others at similar levels, but also learn from women further ahead on their journey who remember exactly where you are now.

Expert English fluency coaches provide guidance and feedback to help you become an independent, confident speaker.

We prioritise communication, connection and confidence first, then support your learning through targeted grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation lessons.

Just 15 minutes per day can create dramatic results over a period of just a few weeks.

Real results from real women

And year after year the results have been truly inspiring.

"I've been a Hey Lady member for one year, and honestly, I couldn't have imagined this level of improvement a year ago. I'm much more confident in conversations now."

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"What I love most is the feeling of being a lucky member of an amazing community. Every day, you can connect with intelligent, open-minded, like-minded, and warm-hearted women from all around the world."

Instead of paying a tutor per hour or worrying about where you can find the "right" practice partner, Hey Lady! makes it easy to connect with women from around the world; practice partners who become friends who help you become fluent, almost without realising it!

You can click here if you're interested to learn more about Hey Lady!

Do you need native speakers or English-speaking friends?

The truth is, this isn't the choice you need to make. Instead your goal should be to find speaking partners that have the qualities we described in this article.

The women who become truly fluent in our community do both. In Hey Lady! they have an immersive English-speaking community to practise speaking as much as they want, about whatever they want. And with the confidence they build from so much practise, they feel more comfortable to seek out native speakers for exposure to natural language use.

But they build their foundation—their confidence, their speaking habits, their love of English conversation—with people who understand their journey.

The truth is, there's no 'big secret' to becoming fluent and confident other than letting go of self-limiting beliefs like "I have to practise only with native speakers" or "my English has to be perfect to speak".

Learning to speak English fluently is no different to how you might improve any skill - dancing, painting, playing guitar or even learning to code - you will progress faster and enjoy learning so much more when you surround yourself with others who are on the same journey.

It's the same advice you would give to a friend, right? 

Frequently Asked Questions About Practising with Native Speakers

Who gives feedback if I don’t practise with native speakers?

Many English learners think they need someone to 'correct their mistakes' constantly - and worse, they think only native speakers can speak English competently. This is completely untrue. "Native" is not a measure of English proficiency. Feedback comes in many different ways, and in ways that don't block your fluency practice (like constant correction). Consider that when you are speaking to someone, they can encourage you, they can 'model' language for you, you can read their facial expressions and the way they respond to what you said. These are all forms of feedback that accelerate your learning in more valuable ways than being corrected.

Can practising with non-native speakers still help me understand native speakers?

Yes!—exposure to diverse accents and speaking styles makes you better at understanding all English speakers. Many Hey Lady! members say this prepares them for native speakers too. Remember, even native speakers have hundreds of different accents. Some, like Irish, can be difficult for anyone to understand! 

How often should I practise speaking English to see real progress?

Even 15 minutes of conversation daily builds fluency faster than long, occasional study sessions. Hey Lady! members often join short daily chats, making regular practice simple and motivating. The biggest mistake is not committing to any practice because you are excluding everyone but native speakers.

What should I talk about when practising English?

Focus on real-life topics you enjoy—travel, work, culture, or personal goals—so practice feels natural. In Hey Lady!, conversations are built around meaningful themes, so you always have something to talk about. A little preparation in advance by watching video lessons and studying vocabulary workbooks can help your conversations be more successful.

Can I improve spoken English without a teacher?

Teachers can and do help, but fluency grows fastest from consistency of practice with or without a teacher. Communities like Hey Lady! combine peer practice with coach-led sessions, giving you the best of both worlds. The best teachers help you to become independent and to stop relying on them for feedback and corrections. On your journey to independence you must learn to 'find a way' to communicate even when you get stuck.

How can I stay motivated to practise speaking English every day?

Accountability and connection keep you motivated. When practice feels like talking to friends—as it does in Hey Lady!—it’s so much easier to stay consistent. When you feel safe to step outside your comfort zone and try new things without feeling judged, you will feel more motivated to keep trying.

Start Your English Fluency Journey Today

If you’re still searching for the perfect native speaker, keep looking—that experience will be valuable when you eventually find them!

But don’t wait to start speaking. Right now, you can surround yourself with women who are eager to practise, ready to cheer you on, and excited to help you gain experience speaking in real conversations.

👉 Want to see for yourself how we can help you? Join Hey Lady! today and start your 7-day FREE trial. You’ll discover what thousands of women already know: the best speaking partners are the ones who are with you on the same journey.