Hi Gary. I usually message a few minutes before the lesson to see if the student is ready. If it's the first lesson, I ask if there is a preference for video or voice chat. Then I will call. I am also ok if the student calls first as long as a few messages are exchanged first to make sure everyone is ready. I sometimes have lessons back to back, so I may need a minute to finish up with a lesson.

I think I read that the teacher should always initiate the Skype call. I'm a new italki teacher, but for the handful of lessons I've done so far, it's always been me pressing the call button first.

Hi, Gary, it's usually the teacher that calls after the student says they are ready. In my case, I'm a bit different as I don't mind if the student calls if they ask if I am ready.

The teacher