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Speakly.PRO

Direct Messaging

Communicate with your teachers and classmates through the platform's messaging system.

Accessing Messages

From the Sidebar

  1. Click "Messages" in the left sidebar navigation
  2. Your inbox opens showing recent conversations
  3. Unread message count is displayed as a badge on the icon

From the Notification Bell

  1. Click the notification bell in the header bar
  2. Message notifications appear alongside other alerts
  3. Click on a message notification to jump directly into the conversation

From a Course or Enrollment Page

  1. Navigate to My Enrollments and select a course
  2. Find your teacher's profile card
  3. Click the "Message" button next to their name

You can also start a new conversation from any teacher's profile page by clicking the "Send Message" button.

Sending Messages to Teachers

Starting a New Conversation

Open the Messaging Interface

Click "Messages" in the sidebar or navigate to /platform/messages.

Select a Recipient

Click "New Message" or the compose button. Start typing your teacher's name in the recipient field, and select them from the auto-complete dropdown.

Write Your Message

Type your message in the text area at the bottom of the conversation panel. You can format text using basic Markdown: bold, italic, and code.

Send the Message

Click the "Send" button or press Enter. Your message appears in the conversation immediately.

Message Best Practices

When messaging your teacher, keep these tips in mind:

  • Be clear and specific -- instead of "I don't understand," try "I'm confused about the difference between the dative and accusative cases in exercise 3"
  • Include context -- mention the course, lesson, or assignment you're referring to
  • Be respectful of response times -- teachers may not reply immediately, especially outside working hours
  • Use the homework request system for formal practice requests rather than messaging

Message Notifications

Configuring Message Notifications

  1. Go to Profile → Settings → Notifications
  2. Find the "Messages" section
  3. Toggle your preferences:
    • In-app notifications -- badge and popup within the platform
    • Email notifications -- receive an email for new messages

Real-Time Alerts

When you receive a new message while using the platform:

  • A red badge appears on the Messages icon in the sidebar
  • A toast notification briefly appears in the corner of the screen
  • The notification bell counter increments

Reading and Managing Messages

  • Unread messages appear highlighted in your inbox
  • Click a conversation to open and read it -- this automatically marks it as read
  • Use the "Mark All as Read" button to clear all unread indicators at once

Conversation Management

Viewing Message History

All conversations are stored and searchable:

  1. Open the messaging interface
  2. Use the search bar at the top to find messages by keyword
  3. Scroll through the conversation to view older messages
  4. Messages are displayed chronologically with timestamps

Organizing Conversations

  • Conversations are sorted by most recent activity

When to Message vs. Other Communication

SituationRecommended Channel
Quick question about an assignmentDirect message
Requesting extra homeworkHomework request system
Can't attend a live sessionDirect message + reschedule request
Technical issue with the platformPlatform support (Profile → Help)
Detailed feedback on your workWait for homework review
Scheduling questionsDirect message or Schedule page

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I message other students in my course? A: This depends on your course settings. Some courses enable student-to-student messaging, while others restrict communication to teacher-student only. Check with your teacher about the policy.

Q: Are my messages private? A: Yes. Direct messages are private between you and the recipient. Teachers and platform administrators cannot see messages in conversations they are not part of.

Q: Is there a limit on how many messages I can send? A: There is no daily limit on messages. However, please be mindful and avoid flooding your teacher with messages -- consolidate your questions when possible.

Q: Can I delete a message after sending it? A: You can delete messages from your view, but the recipient may have already seen them. Deleted messages show as "This message was deleted" in the conversation.

Q: What if my teacher doesn't respond? A: Teachers typically respond within 24-48 hours on business days. If you haven't heard back after a reasonable time, try sending a polite follow-up. For urgent matters, check if your teacher has specified alternative contact methods.

On this page

Accessing MessagesFrom the SidebarFrom the Notification BellFrom a Course or Enrollment PageSending Messages to TeachersStarting a New ConversationOpen the Messaging InterfaceSelect a RecipientWrite Your MessageSend the MessageMessage Best PracticesMessage NotificationsConfiguring Message NotificationsReal-Time AlertsReading and Managing MessagesConversation ManagementViewing Message HistoryOrganizing ConversationsWhen to Message vs. Other CommunicationFrequently Asked QuestionsRelated Documentation