Introduction Video Guidelines and Requirements

After viewing thousands of teacher video introductions, we’ve created these guidelines to help you make the best possible video!  

Japanese teacher Atsuko's introduction is an excellent example

 Requirements for all videos:

• YOU MUST: Appear in the video. Students want to know who their teacher is and hear the language they are about to learn. It's important to represent yourself truthfully to students. Your video should be between 1 to 4 minutes.
• YOU MUST: Speak in all the languages that you have listed as "Native" or "C2" in the video. Your languages listed as "Native" and "C2" will be set as your teaching languages. italki requires teachers to demonstrate their ability to speak these languages fluently in the video. 
• DO NOT: Provide personal contact information - Your video will be available to people on the internet, so protect your own privacy.
• DO NOT: Advertise or promote other services in your video.
• DO NOT: Use copyrighted music or any media for which you do not have the rights.
• DO NOT: Shoot vertical/square videos.  

horizontal video	square video	vertical video

Here is what to consider as you prepare to make your video:

How to film your video

Advanced shooting tips:  Vertical Video Syndrome, Make a DIY Phone Tripod

Lighting

Optional advanced lighting tips: How to Get Better Video Lighting Tutorial

Sound

Optional advanced audio tips: 7 Tips for Better Audio Recording

Background

Optional advanced setting tips: How To Make Your Videos Look More Professional

Editing (optional)

How do I make a teacher introduction video? 

1. Watch some good examples

It is quite easy to make a basic video that looks great. Teachers who have more time and effort to invest in their videos might get some good ideas from the "excellent" or "advanced" examples.

Video requirements

• YOU MUST: Appear in the video. Students want to know who their teacher is and hear the language they are about to learn. It's important to represent yourself truthfully to students.
• YOU MUST: Speak in all the languages that you have listed as "Native" or "C2" in the video. Your languages listed as "Native" and "C2" will be set as your teaching languages. italki requires teachers to demonstrate their ability to speak these languages fluently in the video. 
• DO NOT: Provide personal contact information - Your video will be available to people on the internet, so protect your own privacy.
• DO NOT: Advertise or promote other services in your video.
• DO NOT: Use copyrighted music or any media for which you do not have the rights.
• DO NOT: Shoot vertical/square video with your smartphone camera. Learn more 

  horizontal video	vertical video	square video

2. What should you say?

Create a script and practice.

Your video is where you get to show students who you are. Be creative, and please include the following:  

1. Who are you

Introduce yourself. What is your name, and what languages do you speak? If you have credentials, work experience, or other interesting backgrounds, feel free to share that.

2. What are your lessons like?

What do you enjoy about teaching, do you have a preferred method, and what is your attitude towards language teaching? You might include specific details about the activities you do during lessons, show materials you use, or teach potential students their first word or phrase!

3. Show your personality

• Smile - Make students feel welcome to your online classes!
• Be yourself - Show or tell something interesting about yourself. Do you have special hobbies that students might enjoy discussing with you? Choose clothing or a background that really represents you. 

3. Some other tips

• Keep it short - Just a few minutes is plenty of time.
• Be natural - Do not read directly from a script! Look into the camera, make it as though you are speaking directly to your student.
• Speak in all the languages in which you are fluent - You don’t need to say the same thing again in every language, but you can move from one language to the next as you speak. We recommend adding subtitles so that students can more easily tell what you are saying in each language.
• Think of your students - The care you take in preparing for your video shows students not only what you think of yourself, but how they can expect you to prepare for your classes with them.
• Mention italki - Doing this and adding a link to your teacher profile in the description will help people find and book your classes on italki. 

4. Record and upload your video to italki 

Introduction videos are a great way to introduce yourself to students before your first lesson! Have fun, and if you have questions or concerns about your video, please contact italki support.

Read more: How do I record and upload a video to italki?