Frequently Asked Questions
About NaTakallam
What does “NaTakallam” mean?
NaTakallam means “We Speak” in Arabic. It represents our commitment to giving displaced people a voice and a platform to share their skills with the world.
When was NaTakallam founded?
NaTakallam was founded in 2015 with the goal of enabling economic and social integration for refugees and displaced individuals through language services.
Who are the founders of NaTakallam?
NaTakallam was founded by Aline Sara & Reza Rahnema, both passionate advocates for human rights and social impact. They’re outside the box ideas have helped reshape the way we think about humanitarian aid!
What does NaTakallam do?
NaTakallam is a social enterprise that hires refugees, displaced people and their host communities as online tutors, teachers, and translators, providing them access to global income opportunities, regardless of their location and status.
We connect conflict-affected and Global Majority individuals to their students by leveraging their expert skills to provide language learning and translation and cultural exchange services. We connect students, institutions and organizations to the world by offering personalized interactions with Language Partners, translators and interpreters worldwide.
We offer Arabic, French, Spanish, English and 5 more languages + dialects through vetted Language Partners, promoting cultural exchange and education. Our translation and interpretation services promote language justice in over 100 languages.
We connect conflict-affected and Global Majority individuals to their students by leveraging their expert skills to provide language learning and translation and cultural exchange services. We connect students, institutions and organizations to the world by offering personalized interactions with Language Partners, translators and interpreters worldwide.
We offer Arabic, French, Spanish, English and 5 more languages + dialects through vetted Language Partners, promoting cultural exchange and education. Our translation and interpretation services promote language justice in over 100 languages.
Is NaTakallam a non-profit?
No, NaTakallam is an impact-first, for-profit social enterprise. We are focused on maximizing our social impact and supporting displaced individuals by providing them with sustainable income opportunities. Unlike traditional humanitarian aid, at NaTakallam our tutors and translators are recognized, acknowledged and paid for their expert skills.
Our partnership offers agency, as we are convinced that displaced persons are valuable assets to our community – rather than passive recipients to aid. Businesses at large have a role to play in being part of the solution to the refugee crisis, and NaTakallam exists as a testament to just how that can be done.
Our partnership offers agency, as we are convinced that displaced persons are valuable assets to our community – rather than passive recipients to aid. Businesses at large have a role to play in being part of the solution to the refugee crisis, and NaTakallam exists as a testament to just how that can be done.
Where does NaTakallam operate?
NaTakallam’s staff is all over the world! While our official headquarters are in New York, with a chapter in Paris, our team works globally across New York, Qatar, Western Europe, Beirut and beyond. Our tutors and translators are based in 30+ countries worldwide, with a focus on refugee communities in the MENA region, Francophone Africa and Latin America.
What are the channels available for classes (e.g. Skype video, own platform, in person, call)?
Sessions are typically held online, via Google Meet or other video conference options, as agreed upon by the student and their Language Partner. For organizations, we provide tailored, full-service solutions for language training, cultural programming and translation and interpretation.
Is NaTakallam appropriate for children?
Yes! In addition to our K-12 programs, active in schools around the world, we have many Language Partners who have been trained to work with kids. We currently have users as young as 7 years old!
About NaTakallam’s Tutors and Translators
*NaTakallam’s language tutors are referred to as Language Partners (LPs) or Language Partners.
What qualifications do the Language Partners have?
NaTakallam’s Language Partners come from diverse backgrounds. Some are certified teachers, while others have experience in tutoring or language exchange. All Language Partners are thoroughly vetted and undergo training. Tutors teaching the Integrated Arabic Curriculum have undergone training with Dr. Munther Younes from Cornell University, and his colleagues.
How do you find refugees or displaced persons who are right for the job? How do you recruit and hire Language Partners?
We recruit refugees and displaced persons through partnerships with NGOs on the ground and through direct applications.. The hiring process includes submitting a CV, references, and an interview. We then train all candidates to use our platform and deliver high-quality tutoring and language sessions.
Where are NaTakallam Language Partners and Translators & Interpreters from?
NaTakallam works with a very diverse group of Language Partners,translators and interpreters around the world. While initially born to support Syrians teaching Arabic in 2015, NaTakallam one-on-one language sessions are now also offered in a variety of Arabic dialects spoken by Language Partners from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Egypt; French (with refugees from Congo DRC, Burundi, Guinea), Spanish (with Venezuelans and Central Americans), Persian (with Iranians and Afghans), Armenian (Western & Eastern), English, Russian and Ukrainian.
How much do Language Partners get paid?
NaTakallam’s Language Partners earn between $11 to $60USD per hour, depending on the service and experience delivered (one-on-one, group, classroom, Refugee Voices, and more).
NaTakallam was founded in Lebanon to support Syrian refugees, many of whom are unable to work legally. Compensation to our tutors has been benchmarked based on the cost of living there, and generally speaking, in low- and middle- income countries.
By leveraging the digital economy, we offer them an alternative source of income, a sense of hope, and a pathway to reclaim dignity. Nearly two-thirds of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and other people in need of international protection come from just four countries:
Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine and Afghanistan. While 69% of these individuals are hosted in neighboring countries and 71% of the world’s refugees are hosted in low- and middle- income countries, our work initially focused on displaced individuals from Lebanon in Syria. We have since expanded to meet the needs of global displacement crises.
Some refugees in Europe and the U.S. also choose to work with NaTakallam due to our flexible conditions and income potential. Many of them also started with NaTakallam while in limbo economic, social and legal limbo, were formally resettled and now continue to rely on us for income as well as for sending remittances back home. Today, we work with displaced individuals of multiple nationalities worldwide, as well as with individuals in conflict zones.
Unlike mainstream language tutoring platforms – many of which are profit-driven, multi-billion-dollar companies – NaTakallam is a social enterprise. We are not backed by investors but sustain ourselves through small grants and our own revenues. Our mission goes beyond language learning; we navigate complex legal and financial challenges to ensure displaced tutors, even those in conflict zones like Iraq and Yemen, can securely receive payments.
While other platforms may take a smaller commission, NaTakallam’s model invests in refugee livelihoods by providing recruitment, training, community support, and payment solutions tailored to displaced individuals facing barriers in the global labor market. Hear about the value of NaTakallam's work on their lives here.
NaTakallam was founded in Lebanon to support Syrian refugees, many of whom are unable to work legally. Compensation to our tutors has been benchmarked based on the cost of living there, and generally speaking, in low- and middle- income countries.
By leveraging the digital economy, we offer them an alternative source of income, a sense of hope, and a pathway to reclaim dignity. Nearly two-thirds of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and other people in need of international protection come from just four countries:
Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine and Afghanistan. While 69% of these individuals are hosted in neighboring countries and 71% of the world’s refugees are hosted in low- and middle- income countries, our work initially focused on displaced individuals from Lebanon in Syria. We have since expanded to meet the needs of global displacement crises.
Some refugees in Europe and the U.S. also choose to work with NaTakallam due to our flexible conditions and income potential. Many of them also started with NaTakallam while in limbo economic, social and legal limbo, were formally resettled and now continue to rely on us for income as well as for sending remittances back home. Today, we work with displaced individuals of multiple nationalities worldwide, as well as with individuals in conflict zones.
Unlike mainstream language tutoring platforms – many of which are profit-driven, multi-billion-dollar companies – NaTakallam is a social enterprise. We are not backed by investors but sustain ourselves through small grants and our own revenues. Our mission goes beyond language learning; we navigate complex legal and financial challenges to ensure displaced tutors, even those in conflict zones like Iraq and Yemen, can securely receive payments.
While other platforms may take a smaller commission, NaTakallam’s model invests in refugee livelihoods by providing recruitment, training, community support, and payment solutions tailored to displaced individuals facing barriers in the global labor market. Hear about the value of NaTakallam's work on their lives here.
Programs and Offerings
What are your language offerings?
NaTakallam offers two main programs:
- Language Sessions: flexible, one-on-one sessions in Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Persian, Kurdish and more.
You can sign up for language sessions here and purchase your preferred bundle of hours on the respective language pages.
- Integrated Arabic Curriculum: A unique program blending Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) with colloquial dialects such as Levantine Arabic. which blends formal and colloquial Arabic.
Based on the textbook ‘Arabiyyat al-Naas’, the Integrated Curriculum differs from other Arabic language programs by integrating colloquial Arabic with Modern Standard Arabic (MSA or “Fusha”) in a way that reflects the use of the language by native speakers. Both beginners and advanced learners can partake in the curriculum. We currently offer the Levantine dialect along with the Modern Standard Arabic component of the curriculum.
What is the cost breakdown for your language sessions?
$25/hour if you purchase 3 hours
$20/hour if you purchase 10 hours
$18/hour if you purchase 20 hours
$16/hour if you purchase 30 hours
The Integrated Arabic Curriculum is available at $750 ($30/hour) for 25 hours of guided coursework and 25 hour of self-study.
For more information on the Integrated Arabic Curriculum, contact us at [email protected]
$20/hour if you purchase 10 hours
$18/hour if you purchase 20 hours
$16/hour if you purchase 30 hours
The Integrated Arabic Curriculum is available at $750 ($30/hour) for 25 hours of guided coursework and 25 hour of self-study.
For more information on the Integrated Arabic Curriculum, contact us at [email protected]
How are the Arabic language sessions different from the Integrated Arabic Curriculum?
Language Sessions: Focus on conversation practice, specific dialects, and personalized learning.
The full details of these sessions can be mapped against international criteria. For language sessions, the curriculum is agreed upon between the student and their tutor and is fully flexible. Given it is mostly 1:1, sessions are tailored to the student’s needs, level and desired pace. NaTakallam instructors use their own materials and/or content requested by students.
Integrated Arabic Curriculum: A structured curriculum blending Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and colloquial dialects for a comprehensive learning experience.NaTakallam instructors use the book ‘Arabiyyat al Naas’.
The full details of these sessions can be mapped against international criteria. For language sessions, the curriculum is agreed upon between the student and their tutor and is fully flexible. Given it is mostly 1:1, sessions are tailored to the student’s needs, level and desired pace. NaTakallam instructors use their own materials and/or content requested by students.
Integrated Arabic Curriculum: A structured curriculum blending Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and colloquial dialects for a comprehensive learning experience.NaTakallam instructors use the book ‘Arabiyyat al Naas’.
What other services does NaTakallam offer?
