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?
Who are the founders of NaTakallam?
What does NaTakallam do?
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?
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?
What are the channels available for classes (e.g. Skype video, own platform, in person, call)?
Is NaTakallam appropriate for children?

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?
How do you find refugees or displaced persons who are right for the job? How do you recruit and hire Language Partners?
Where are NaTakallam Language Partners and Translators & Interpreters from?
How much do Language Partners get paid?
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?
$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?
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?