Written by: Luan Cavallaro, Founder & CMO, BeConfident

Key takeaways from this article

1. Traditional courses prioritize grammar and reading and leave conversation for later, which increases anxiety and the fear of making mistakes when speaking.

2. Human tutors like Cambly and Italki deliver native quality, but have high costs, limited schedules, and can generate social pressure.

3. Consistent practice of 30 minutes a day is more effective than sporadic intense sessions to achieve conversational fluency in a few weeks.

4. A native AI like BeConfident offers unlimited 24/7 practice, instant feedback without judgment, and multiple authentic accents.

5. To unlock fluency now, test BeConfident for free and start real conversations without emotional barriers.

The problem: main difficulties of Brazilians in English conversation

About 1 million Brazilian users in 2026 report difficulty in expanding vocabulary (11.7%), speaking naturally (11.5%), and maintaining discipline in studies (11.3%). This data reflects an educational system that treats English as a school subject, not as a communication tool.

Performance anxiety appears when a person needs to prove they know English in front of other people. The fear of making mistakes is one of the biggest psychological barriers to fluid conversation. The need to pronounce sounds that do not exist in Portuguese, such as the "th" and some specific vowels, increases insecurity.

The lack of constant practice intensifies the problem. Achieving B2 level fluency requires about 500 to 600 hours of study, but daily practice of 30 minutes already builds conversational confidence in a few weeks. Consistency generates more results than isolated intensity.

Native human tutors help, but they do not eliminate all these pain points. They have limited schedules, charge per hour, and can increase the feeling of judgment. A more complete solution combines exposure to native English with unlimited practice in a pressure-free environment.

Detailed comparison: Cambly, Italki, Open English, and Duolingo in relation to BeConfident

Cambly has a 9.2 rating on Reclame Aqui, with praise for quality, but recurring complaints about difficulty in cancellation. Italki does not yet have a registration on Brazilian Reclame Aqui, which raises doubts about local support.

Open English offers unlimited classes, but follows the virtual classroom model, with a focus on class and fixed curriculum. Duolingo uses game elements to maintain the habit, but offers little real conversation.

BeConfident reduces these limitations with a personalized AI that simulates natural conversations and removes social pressure. The main advantage of AI lies in constant availability and infinite patience. The student can repeat the same phrase dozens of times, ask simple questions, and practice embarrassing situations without embarrassment. This freedom accelerates learning because it reduces the emotional barriers that block speaking.

Why BeConfident stands out in comparison to Cambly and Italki

BeConfident offers AI tutors with distinct personalities and authentic native accents, such as American, British, Australian, Canadian, South African, and Indian. Each tutor has specific interests, such as photography, law, or literature, which facilitates natural conversations on topics the student already masters.

Structured tracks combine theory and conversational practice. The student learns a grammar rule and applies that rule immediately in dialogue. Pronunciation modules work on specific sounds within conversations, instead of isolated exercises. Vocabulary appears in real contexts, which facilitates memorization.

The conversation functionality allows interaction through text, audio, or simulated calls in the app or on WhatsApp. During the conversation, the student can pause, ask for repetition, or request instant translation. The AI corrects errors on the spot, explains the reason for the correction, and suggests more natural alternatives.

The "Review mistakes" feature organizes feedback history in grammar, pronunciation, and naturalness. The "I have a question" function clarifies specific points at any time. The "Tell me something new" command expands repertoire with cultural and linguistic curiosities, keeping conversations dynamic.

More than 140,000 paying students and 2 million users in over 100 countries have already used BeConfident. The company achieved an RA 1000 reputation on Reclame Aqui, which represents the platform's maximum rating.

Testimonials report results like "in one month I was already speaking naturally, without freezing" and "daily practice gave me the confidence to get my promotion."

Take the free test and start learning English today. Discover your CEFR level and experience conversation without judgment.

How BeConfident meets different profiles: career, travel, and personal goals

Rising professionals

Professionals such as engineers, lawyers, managers, and accountants need to speak technical English without freezing in international meetings. BeConfident offers personalized conversation on work topics, complex sentence building for presentations, and technical vocabulary in context. Instant feedback improves corporate communication without exposing insecurities to colleagues or clients.

International travelers

Travelers on vacation, exchange, or work need to understand slang, idioms, and varied accents. BeConfident simulates real travel situations, such as going through immigration, ordering in restaurants, and talking with locals. Exposure to multiple native accents prepares the student for different English-speaking countries.

Personal motivations

People who like pop culture, older adults, or those who want to fulfill the dream of speaking English often face rigid schedules and unwelcoming classroom environments. BeConfident offers flexible access, with practice at 6 AM, during lunch break, or before bed, via app, WhatsApp, or smartwatch.

A simple decision matrix helps to choose. Those looking for unlimited and affordable practice tend to benefit more from BeConfident. Those who prefer occasional human interaction might choose Cambly or Italki. Those who value traditional structure find it in Open English. Those who only want to maintain basic streaks can use Duolingo.

Take the free test and start learning English today to identify which approach accelerates your fluency the most.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Cambly reliable?

Cambly has a solid reputation, with a 9.2 rating on Reclame Aqui and 100% resolution of registered complaints. The service, however, usually starts from R$ 100 per month and can generate anxiety because it involves human interaction at specific times. BeConfident offers unlimited practice with an RA 1000 reputation, at a fraction of that cost and without social pressure.

How long does it take to become fluent?

Traditional methods usually require 1 to 2 years with about 15 hours a week to reach B2 level. With BeConfident, the student gains conversational confidence in a few weeks through consistent daily practice. Frequency matters more than isolated long sessions, and 30 minutes a day tends to surpass sporadic 3 hours. The time for full fluency varies by person, but natural conversation emerges faster with continuous exposure.

Is BeConfident better than a human tutor?

For constant practice and reducing fear of speaking, BeConfident is often more efficient. Human tutors contribute with cultural nuances and detailed feedback, but limit practice due to cost and scheduling. AI allows infinite repetition, immediate correction, and a judgment-free environment. Recent studies indicate that AI works especially well for building initial conversational confidence.

Where to practice conversation 24/7 without spending much?

BeConfident is currently the only platform that combines unlimited 24/7 conversation with native AI tutors at an affordable price. The service works through its own app, WhatsApp, and smartwatch, making it easy to fit practice into the routine. Other options, like Cambly and Italki, charge by plans or by the hour and can restrict the frequency of use for some students.

How to overcome the fear of speaking English?

The fear of speaking usually arises from pressure for perfect performance. BeConfident reduces this pressure by offering a private environment where the student can make mistakes at will. The AI does not judge, does not get annoyed with repetitions, and provides constructive feedback. Starting with familiar topics and gradually increasing the difficulty level helps build confidence. Daily practice of 15 to 30 minutes generates more results than long, rare sessions.

Conclusion: why choose BeConfident to unlock fluency

Traditional methods keep the focus on theory and reinforce the fear of making mistakes. Cambly and Italki offer contact with natives, but limit practice by cost and availability. Open English preserves virtual classroom logic. Duolingo encourages the habit, but barely works on real conversation.

BeConfident prioritizes conversation from day one, with native AI tutors available 24/7, instant feedback without judgment, and an affordable price for unlimited practice. More than 140,000 students have already proven that fluency comes from constant practice, not from the search for theoretical perfection.

Take the free test and start learning English today. Experience barrier-free conversation and advance in English in weeks, with consistency and safety.