Children learn their first language naturally by listening and speaking long before they start to read. So why do almost all the tools we use to teach our kids Chinese focus only on characters?! I’m not saying that learning to read Chinese is not important, but as a Chinese language learner myself, I feel that being able to speak the language is way more useful for daily life.
We don’t have a native speaker in the household, so any chance to hear it and speak Mandarin is valuable. That’s why I started looking for a speaking practice app and found TalkMe, an AI-powered speaking partner. I’m sharing what we liked, what didn’t quite match our needs, and who I think this app is best for.
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What Is TalkMe?
TalkMe is an AI language learning app focused on speaking Mandarin. Instead of drilling vocabulary or tapping through flashcards, you chat with a lifelike AI language tutor that can be customized to your preferred voice and personality. It can role-play, ask follow-up questions, and adjust to your level. For heritage families, especially, this is helpful because we don’t always have someone available to practice speaking with on a daily basis.
One note: even though you can choose Taiwanese Mandarin, the language may not be regionally accurate, but it’s neutral enough for everyday speaking practice, especially for heritage learners; it works fine.
Key Features of the Talkme AI App
- Practice speaking Manarin when you want
- Choose from over 60 native languages and 6 target languages
- TalkMe’s AI language tutor listens, responds, and gently corrects you in real time, just like chatting with a native speaker!
- Multiple practice tools so that you can learn in the way that suits you
- Built-in extras: AI Translator and Dictionary
Who TalkMe is Best For
TalkMe is best for advanced learners, heritage speakers, or adults who want to get more conversation practice. Even though I set the app to easy and the interface to English, most of the text is in Chinese, and the language is more advanced.
It’s not designed for younger kids since the study topics aren’t very engaging, and the role plays can be too advanced with topics such as dating and work conversations. That said, it can work for older kids, like my nine-year-old, who loves the chat feature and enjoys practicing that way.
Practice Tools
The TalkMe app offers many practice tools so you can choose the learning style that suits you or mix it up to keep learning interesting. Some of the practice tools are advanced, but the variety is helpful to find what works for you:
Personalized Learning Plan
Choose from several learning paths tailored to your level and interests — travel, career, campus life, and more!
Speak Freely
Start chatting in the Speak Freely tool. The AI responds and asks questions, just like a real tutor. Great for building confidence and fluency.
Role Play
Simulated back-and-forth scenarios based on daily conversations, such as planning a trip or spending time with grandpa.
Describe a Picture
Upload or generate an image in the app and describe what you see. It’s a fun way to practice speaking and improve your expression.
Translate to Slang
The name is a little confusing, but this feature tells you whether what you said sounds natural. I set mine to Taiwanese Mandarin, and while it’s not truly Taiwanese Mandarin, it does check against a more neutral, everyday style instead of textbook phrasing. This is especially useful for heritage learners who don’t want to sound too formal.
AI Translator
Speak in your native language and TalkMe will translate in a natural speaking voice.
Games
Switch things up with a guessing game or play a text-based RPG adventure game.
Our Experience
TalkMe isn’t built for younger learners, but my daughter wanted to try it when she saw me testing the app. The app advertises “natural-sounding voices,” and while my kids joked that it sounds like our Google speakers, I actually find the voices much more natural than another popular AI speaking tool we’ve tested.
My daughter’s favorite feature is the Speak Freely mode. She can chat endlessly with the AI tutor. She can ask questions and get a reply instantly. Normally, I’d have to translate a response in Mandarin. TalkMe responds in Mandarin, in a way that feels like a conversation, not like our Google speaker that just reads off something it finds on the internet.
Final Thoughts
TalkMe is a powerful speaking-focused app for intermediate to advanced learners, especially heritage speakers who are looking for more conversation practice. The voices are natural, the AI is responsive, and tools like Speak Freely and Translate to Slang stand out as genuinely useful.
For families like ours that don’t have a native speaker at home, speaking practice is one of the hardest things to fit into everyday life. If your goal is for your kids to communicate with family in Mandarin or feel more confident during trips to Taiwan or China, speaking practice will get you there much faster than character flashcards. And if you just want an easy way to practice speaking Mandarin whenever you want, TalkMe is definitely worth trying.
Pricing
TalkMe AI offers both free and premium plans. The free version includes limited daily conversations, while the premium plan unlocks full access to custom role play, unlimited practice, and advanced features.
- FREE PLAN that gives you limited daily conversations.
- Monthly: $15.99
- Quarterly: $36.99
- Yearly: $99.99
Get 52% Off TalkMe
To claim the discount, use your exclusive promo code: 932965
(How to use the code: Install the app → Me tab → Settings → enter codes)
