Write down what each person is agreeing to
| Format | How the time works | What to arrange |
|---|---|---|
| Hanashi host conversation | The call has one shared topic or flows across several. Hanashi is designed for paid calls with Japanese hosts. | Look for a host you’d enjoy talking with and review availability, duration and terms before planning a call. |
| Tandem peer exchange | Both people have a target language and give the other person practice. | Choose the split, preferred pace and what happens if you miss a week. |
| Ohanasi Kagawa scheduled exchange | Its event format schedules timed practice in both languages. | Check the date, time and group size and whether you can attend the complete round. |
Why choose Hanashi?
If coordinating two learning goals keeps changing the conversation you want to have, a host is a better fit. Choose on shared interests and personality and spend the conversation comparing stories or discovering a new angle on the topic.
You still contribute by being curious, sharing your own example and asking follow-ups. Hanashi is designed to support that with live captions and translation. Signup is open in early access, so confirm availability before you rely on it.
A two-week trial for a reciprocal exchange
Week one: choose a fixed 20-minute slot and divide it evenly. Agree whether a correction should come immediately or at the end of each half. Week two: use the same time and change one thing, such as who starts. If that works for both people, repeat it and alternate who brings the topic.
If the time keeps drifting to one person’s stronger language, say “Let’s put ten minutes for each on the timer so we both get a turn.” If it’s mainly schedules that don’t match, try an organized event with a time you can reliably attend.
Pick by the commitment you can keep
Check whether you want to reserve a recurring 20-minute slot, show up for a set event or plan one interest-led conversation. Then use the conversation finder if you want to compare the formats against what you actually enjoy.
Sources
- Hanashi · interests, personality and call features
- Hanashi · early access terms and conditional paid calls
- Hanashi · Japanese host FAQ and pilot status
- Tandem · voice notes, calls and reciprocal exchange
- Ohanasi Kagawa · online exchange sessions
- HelloTalk · timed one-to-one Language Exchange feature