Getting ready in advance

Please install WeChat and register an account before your lesson. If you have not done so yet, please see the page below.

See how to install WeChat and register an account here

Please also make sure to set your WeChat ID and register it with NetChai. Without it, your tutor cannot contact you.

See how to set your WeChat ID and register it with NetChai here

Lessons use video calls, so please also check that your microphone and camera are ready to use. The first time you make a video call on a smartphone, you will be asked whether to allow use of the microphone and camera; please choose "Allow".

Selecting "WeChat" when you book a lesson

When you book a lesson, select "WeChat" under "Preferred lesson tool".

* After you book, your tutor will search for your WeChat ID and send you a friend request. Please accept it before the day of your lesson.

Adding your tutor as a friend

To make sure your lesson can start smoothly, you can also add your tutor as a friend yourself.

* The most reliable way is the QR code. Your tutor's WeChat QR code is shown in the lesson information area of "Lessons" > "Reservations & Recent History" in the member menu. Scan it with "+" > "Scan" in WeChat (or save the QR image and read it from your album via the top right of the "Scan" screen) and you can send a friend request straight away.

If you want to search by WeChat ID instead, follow the steps below. Your tutor's WeChat ID is shown in the lesson information area of "Reservations & Recent History".

1. Start WeChat, tap "+" at the top right of the screen, then tap "Add Contacts".

2. Enter your tutor's WeChat ID in the search field and search.

3. Select your tutor's account from the results and tap "Add to Contacts".

4. A screen for entering a greeting message appears. Please enter your NetChai username and send it, so that your tutor can tell who the request is from.

5. Once your tutor accepts, you will be able to send messages and make video calls.

Accepting a friend request from your tutor

If your tutor sends you a friend request, please accept it as follows.

1. Tap "Contacts" at the bottom of the WeChat screen.

2. "New Friends" appears at the top, with a red badge when a request has arrived. Tap it.

3. Tap "Accept" next to your tutor's name. Your tutor is now added as a friend.

* Please be careful not to accept requests from people you do not recognize. If you are unsure whether a request is from your tutor, please contact the office.

Answering the video call at your lesson start time

1. At your lesson start time, your tutor will call you on WeChat by video call.

2. When the incoming call screen appears, tap "Accept". Your lesson then begins.

* Please open WeChat a little before the start time and wait where you can notice the call. If you are using a smartphone, please also check that WeChat notifications are not turned off.

* If there is no call after the start time has passed, please send your tutor a message or start a video call yourself.

During the lesson

During a video call, you can use the icons on the screen as follows.

- Microphone icon: switches mute on and off
- Camera icon: switches your camera on and off
- Switch camera icon: switches between the front and rear cameras on your smartphone
- Red handset icon: use this to end the call when your lesson has finished

* If you want to check a word or expression in writing during your lesson, you can also send it to your tutor in a WeChat message (chat) without ending the call.

If your voice isn't getting through, or your video doesn't appear

* If the call is connected but only the audio or video is not getting through, please check in the order below. The two most common causes are "you are muted" and "WeChat is not allowed to use the microphone and camera in your device settings".

1. Check that the microphone icon on the call screen is not muted. If it has a line through it, tap it to unmute.

2. If your video does not appear, check that the camera icon on the call screen is not turned off. If you are using a computer, also check that the camera's lens cover (shutter) is not closed.

3. Check that the volume on your smartphone is not too low, muted, or set to silent mode.

4. If you use earphones or a headset, check that they are properly connected. If they are Bluetooth, try disconnecting them and using your device's own speaker.

5. Check that WeChat is allowed to use the microphone and camera in the settings of your smartphone or computer.



Go to "Settings" > "Privacy & Security" > "Microphone" and turn on WeChat. Turn on "Camera" in the same way.



On your device, go to "Settings" > "Apps", select WeChat, and allow "Microphone" and "Camera" under "Permissions".



Open "Start" > "Settings" > "Privacy & security" ("Privacy" on Windows 10) > "Microphone" and check that "Microphone access", "Let apps access your microphone" and "Let desktop apps access your microphone" are on. Do the same for the camera under "Camera".



From the Apple menu, open "System Settings" > "Privacy & Security", then turn on WeChat under "Microphone". Turn on "Camera" in the same way.

6. If other call apps (Zoom, Teams, VooV Meeting and so on) are still running, they may compete for the microphone and camera. Please close them all before your lesson.

7. If none of the above helps, close WeChat and open it again, or restart your smartphone or computer and try once more.

If you can't connect

If you cannot connect, please check the following points.

1. Check that you are friends with your tutor. Video calls are not possible unless you are friends.

2. Check that your WeChat ID is registered in your NetChai membership details, and that it is not still the initial ID beginning with "wxid".

3. Check that searching by WeChat ID is allowed in your WeChat settings.

See how to set your WeChat ID here

4. Check that WeChat notifications are not turned off, and that your device is not in airplane mode or do-not-disturb mode.

5. Close the app and open it again, or restart your smartphone or computer, and try once more.