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.
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| horizontal video |
square video |
vertical video |
Here is what to consider as you prepare to make your video:
How to film your video
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| Do: Shoot horizontal video. Do: Put your camera/mobile phone on the level with your eyes and look into the camera/mobile phone. Do: Put the camera/mobile phone on a stable surface or use a tripod to keep the video still. |
Do not: Shoot vertical video. Why? Do not: Put the camera/mobile phone below your face and talk down to it. Do not: Hold the camera/mobile phone with your hands or allow the camera/mobile phone to shake. |
Advanced shooting tips: Vertical Video Syndrome, Make a DIY Phone Tripod
Lighting
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Do: Use natural daylight or powerful lamp lighting from the FRONT Even better: Complimentary light from behind + 45 degrees |
Do not: Record at night with poor lighting.
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Optional advanced lighting tips: How to Get Better Video Lighting Tutorial
Sound
| GOOD: | BAD: |
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Do: Use quiet surroundings and speak in a clear voice. Even better: Using a field recorder or speak into a microphone. |
Do not: Place microphone very close to mouth (causes "beatboxy" noises and distortion). Do not: Place microphone too far away from mouth (too quiet). Do not: Allow wind or any other distracting background noise. |
Optional advanced audio tips: 7 Tips for Better Audio Recording
Background
| GOOD: | BAD: |
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Do: Use a clean and tidy study room or classroom Even better: something that represents your language or country |
Do not: Show moving or distracting things in the background (other people, etc). Do not: Use An overly busy or “chaotic” background Do not: Show any commercial logo in the background |
Optional advanced setting tips: How To Make Your Videos Look More Professional
Editing (optional)
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Do: Add subtitles.
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Do not: Post your personal contact information in the video. Do not: Use logos or advertisements from other companies or services. Do not: Add loud music that makes it difficult to hear your voice. |
Read more examples and further instructions on what to say in your video introduction.
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.
| "Good" | "Excellent" | "Advanced" |
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Learn Portuguese on italki with Getulio Learn French on italki with Anaïs
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| It isn’t difficult to create a basic video that leaves a good impression. | Choosing a nice setting for your video or adding subtitles helps a lot! | Extra planning and editing can really make your video stand out to new students. |
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.
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